Kent · England
Paella party catering in River, Kent
We cook paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events across River and Kent, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Garden get-togethers
- Birthday parties
Paella party catering in River
Before you choose a spot
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We need:
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Level ground for the pans and burners
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Menu ideas
- Paella Valenciana
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
- Churros
- Seafood paella
- Tapas
How our paella party catering works in River
The smell of paella cooking is the best party invitation. People drift over with a drink to watch it cook. Whether it’s street and neighbourhood parties and baby celebrations, we can cook churros, mixed paella and tapas for your guests.
For a party in River, your garden is often the best venue. Let us know how we can get to the garden, and we will do the rest. Everything is cooked from scratch at your party, never made in advance and reheated, and served as soon as it’s ready.
Other catering in River
Questions from River
Can you cook in Old Park Hill?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
What’s the nearest station to River for guests?
Kearsney station, about 0.5 miles north-west of the centre.
How far ahead should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Peak dates go quickly, so contact us early.
Does it make a lot of smoke?
There is a cooking smell, but much less smoke than a barbecue. Let the neighbours know.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three is usual: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We’ll suggest a split based on your guests.
Can you supply crockery?
Yes, if you need them. Let us know and we will add it to the quote.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, if you need them. Tell us what your venue provides and we’ll include the rest in the quote.
Is my garden big enough?
Most gardens are fine. We need level ground, clearance and access. A picture helps.
Parties in River: gardens, venues and local tips
River is about 1 mile north-west of Dover, in Kent. We cater parties at gardens, halls and venues around River and nearby villages. We cover 922 places in Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from River to Canterbury (13 miles away).
Parks such as Old Park Hill usually need permission for cooking, so a garden or hired venue is frequently easier. Christenings and naming days frequently start at a local church such as Church of St Peter, with a paella lunch at home or in a hall afterwards. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 8 miles of River, so many gardens around here have a great outlook. The coast is within about 3 miles, so seafood paella frequently features.
Paella party catering in CT17 and CT16 is planned around your venue and your guests. Your party could be at a home on Lower Road, Minnis Lane and London Road or the roads around them. Other places close to River for paella party catering include Kearsney (1 mile north-west), Temple Ewell (1 mile north-west), Dover (1 mile south-east), Whitfield (1 mile north-east) and Maxton (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Canterbury (13 miles north-west), Folkestone (6 miles south-west), Ramsgate (15 miles north-east), Deal (7 miles north-east), Hythe (10 miles south-west) and Walmer (7 miles north-east).
Nearby you will also find Crabble Corn Mill (under half a mile south-east) and Dover Castle (2.2 miles south-east). The countryside around River includes Dover Western Heights.
- Local schools include Dover Christ Church Academy (1.2 miles south-east) and St Edmund's Catholic School (1.4 miles south-east)
- Local pubs include Royal Oak Cottage The Royal Oak Public House (under half a mile south)
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we’ll do the cooking.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
How the day works
Serving is fast: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so even a long queue moves. When service is finished, we pack down. At midsummer, it’s light in River until about 9:15pm, so a garden party can run well into the evening. By late September sunset is around 7:00pm, so plan festoon lights for later parties.
- First, we check the date and the space.
- You choose your paellas and any extras.
- The burners go on and the sofrito starts.
- The rice goes in and your guests gather round.
- It’s served hot, and we clear away afterwards.
How to prepare
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
Ask for a quote
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
The menu, dish by dish
Tapas
Tapas keep guests going while they watch the pans.
Vegetable paella
Vegetable paella in its own right, with peppers, beans and artichokes.
Events we cater in River
It’s generous and sociable, perfect for celebrations where people want to mingle.
Big or small, live paella works well. Common bookings include:
- Celebrations of life
- Anniversary celebrations
- Baby celebrations
- Retirement and leaving parties
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Kearsney station, about 0.5 miles north-west.
What to look for in a quote
- Whether travel is included
- VAT, if it applies
- What happens if it rains
- The venue requirements
Working with your venue
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
How we price paella party catering
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- Waiting and bar staff
- The paellas you choose
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Travel, parking and access
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What to tell us
To check availability and price, we need:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- The venue or postcode
- Anything your venue supplies
- A picture of the space, if you can
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Is live paella right for your party?
Ordering in is easy but forgettable. Live paella gives guests a show. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
Why book with us
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Catering across Kent, including River
Read How we price Or What paella catering costs.
- 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