Kent · England
Paella Party Catering in Marden Thorn
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events for events in Marden Thorn and across Kent.
- Big birthdays
- Retirement celebrations
- Garden get-togethers
Planning an event in Marden Thorn?
How our paella party catering works in Marden Thorn
Most gardens can host a paella party, as long as there is a flat spot clear of fences and branches. Not sure? Send a photo. On the menu are mixed paella, chicken and chorizo paella and churros, and we are often booked for garden get-togethers and retirement celebrations.
Country parties near Marden Thorn suit live paella: cooked outside, served from the pan. Plan a gazebo in case of rain. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
Where we can cook in Marden Thorn
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space when you get in touch. Generally, we look for:
- A quick photo of the spot helps us plan
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in Marden Thorn
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood paella
- Tapas
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Churros
Planning for every diet
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Add a diet question to the invitation
- Plan a covered spot for wet weather
- Count adults and children separately
- Give the neighbours a heads-up
When you are ready to eat, we serve straight from the pan, while you enjoy your guests.
Bread, salad and lemon wedges round off the meal.
Planning a party in Marden Thorn
Marden Thorn is about 7 miles south of Maidstone, in Kent. Across the TN12 area, we can cook for your guests. Marden Thorn is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Marden Thorn to Canterbury (26 miles away).
Marden Thorn is within about 5 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, so a garden party here comes with a lovely backdrop.
For paella party catering in TN12, we plan around your venue and your guests. From Pagehurst Road and Thorn Road or a nearby road, we’ll bring the pans to you. Neighbouring places where we cater parties include Wanshurst Green (1 mile north), Staplehurst (2 miles east), St Ann's Green (2 miles north), Milebush (2 miles north) and Horden (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (7 miles north), Ashford (15 miles east), Royal Tunbridge Wells (11 miles west), Tonbridge (11 miles west), Kings Hill (9 miles north-west) and Foley Park (8 miles north).
A little further out are South East Romany Museum (0.9 miles north) and Sissinghurst Castle (4.2 miles south-east).
What’s in the pans
Vegetable paella
A proper vegetable paella, not an afterthought, with peppers, beans and artichokes.
Seafood paella
Seafood paella normally gets the photos, and is best served with lemon.
How the day works
Watching it cook is half the fun. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring. Sunset in Marden Thorn is about 8:50pm in late May and 9:15pm in late June. After dark, the cooking area needs good lighting.
- Tell us when and where, and how many.
- You get a menu and a quote.
- We set up before guests arrive.
- The paella cooks while your guests chat.
- We serve, then clear our area.
Preparing for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
Getting a price
It’s easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote.
Related guides
Live paella or other catering?
A buffet takes hours to prepare and leaves food sitting out. Paella is cooked fresh and served hot. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
What you get with us
- Events in Marden Thorn and across Kent
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
Take a look at How we price And What paella catering costs.
Marden Thorn questions
What’s the nearest station to Marden Thorn for guests?
The closest is Marden station, roughly 1.4 miles away.
Do you cater in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will follow the site rules.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes, always. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, where your guests can watch.
How soon do we need to book?
The sooner the better. Popular dates book up first, so get in touch early.
What if the weather’s bad?
We cook under cover, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We plan for rain with you in advance.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
How many different paellas?
Two or three covers most guests. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we will suggest the mix.
Does it make a lot of smoke?
Gas cooking means steam and a good smell, not much smoke. The smell is typically the best advert for the party.
Nearby places to Marden Thorn
Also in Marden Thorn
Prices and what affects them
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Your choice of paellas
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
What to tell us
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Anything your venue supplies
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Where the event is
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Occasions we cook for in Marden Thorn
It feels like a holiday in your own garden.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Typical bookings include:
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Garden get-togethers
- Wakes and celebrations of life
- Leaving dos and retirements
For guests coming by train, Marden station is about 1.4 miles away.
Comparing caterers
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- A clear list of what’s included
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- Whether travel is included
- 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