Kent · England
Paella party catering in Hartley, Kent
Planning paella party catering in Hartley? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Big family gatherings
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
Paella party catering near Hartley
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Paella party catering for your party in Hartley
The smell of paella cooking is the best party invitation. Guests gather round, glass in hand, to watch. For leaving dos and retirements and big family gatherings, we’ll put together a menu of tapas, churros and mixed paella for your guests.
A country party near Hartley is perfect for paella: cooked in the open and served hot. Plan a gazebo in case of rain. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in a separate pan.
Before you choose a spot
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
What we offer
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
- Tapas
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Churros
- Paella Valenciana
Planners, venues and businesses
Organising a club, school or community event in Hartley? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we’ll explain how it works. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
A closer look at the menu
Vegetable paella
Vegetable paella in its own right.
Seafood paella
Seafood paella typically gets the photos, and is best served with lemon.
Hartley questions
Do you come out to small places like Hartley?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Do you cater in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
When do you arrive?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance so the paella is ready when you want it.
How much is live paella catering?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers and we’ll reply with a price.
Should we have more than one paella?
Normally two or three, so every guest has a choice. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we’ll suggest the mix.
Will there be enough food?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
What do you need at the venue?
Less than you might think: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a photo.
Nearby places to Hartley
Also in Hartley
Step by step
Once the rice is in, we don’t stir it. That’s what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. Your guests will smell it before they see it. For a late-May party in Hartley, sunset is around 8:50pm; at midsummer it is about 9:15pm. If the party runs past dark, we’ll need light where we cook and serve.
- Send us the date, the address, numbers and diets.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a quote.
- We arrive, set up in your garden or venue and start the sofrito.
- The paella cooks while your guests chat, with any tapas served first.
- We serve from the pan and clear our cooking area away when we’re done.
Before we arrive
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
Getting a price
Still deciding on the menu? That’s fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. Start when you’re ready: use our quote form.
Planning help
Hartley parties: what to know
Hartley is about 8 miles south-east of Paddock Wood, in Kent. For paella party catering in Hartley, we plan around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. Hartley is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. Our events stretch from Hartley to Canterbury (about 28 miles away).
Thinking of a party in Crane Valley? Cooking in a public park normally needs permission from the council or landowner, so check first. Hartley is within about 2 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, so many gardens around here have a great outlook.
Here we cover the TN17 postcode area, and we can cater your party anywhere in it. Local streets include Hartley Road, Campion Crescent and Hartley Court Gardens; a party at home on any of them works well with live paella. Neighbouring places where we cater parties include Swattenden (1 mile east), Cranbrook (1 mile north-east), Baker's Cross (2 miles north-east), Gill's Green (2 miles south) and Beal's Green (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (13 miles north), Royal Tunbridge Wells (11 miles west), Tonbridge (13 miles north-west), Kings Hill (14 miles north), Foley Park (14 miles north) and Paddock Wood (8 miles north-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Benenden Hospital (4.7 miles east) and Sissinghurst Castle (3.8 miles north-east).
Why choose live paella in Hartley?
A buffet takes hours to prepare and leaves food sitting out. Paella is cooked fresh and served hot. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What you get with us
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- A quote that spells everything out
- Catering across Kent, including Hartley
Take a look at Our prices page And What paella catering costs.
Why choose paella party catering in Hartley?
It feeds a crowd without anyone stuck in the kitchen, and it’s a talking point.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Street and neighbourhood parties
- Family get-togethers
- Naming days and christenings
- Milestone birthdays
Historic houses near Hartley include Scotney Castle (4.4 miles west). If you are hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on outside caterers first.
What to look for in a quote
- A clear list of what’s included
- The venue requirements
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- If the price includes VAT
What affects the price in Hartley
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- The paellas you choose
- Whether you need crockery
- How many guests are eating
- Parking and unloading
The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
What to tell us
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Which courses you have in mind
- The date and rough timings
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. When you are ready, send us your details through our quote form.
- Cooked live in giant pans at your event
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options
- Paella, tapas, canapés and desserts
- Sangria, bar staff, crockery and waiting staff