Kent · England
Paella party catering in Shirkoak, Kent
Paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events in Shirkoak: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Anniversary celebrations
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Big birthdays
Planning an event in Shirkoak?
About our paella party catering in Shirkoak
Live paella suits birthdays, anniversaries, christenings and summer parties. The cooking is the centrepiece, and the food is served hot and generous. Popular choices include churros, tapas and vegetable paella, and we are frequently booked for family reunions and garden parties and summer barbecues.
A country party near Shirkoak is perfect for paella: cooked outside, served from the pan. Plan a gazebo in case of rain. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
For planners, venues and organisers
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Hosting a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we will tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Shirkoak parties: what to know
Shirkoak is about 5 miles south-west of Ashford, in Kent. Whether your party is in the middle of Shirkoak or on the outskirts, paella party catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Shirkoak is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent we cover. Our events stretch from Shirkoak to Canterbury (19 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Smallhythe Place (4.8 miles south-west). Grand settings like these often have strict catering rules, so for most parties a garden or hired hall is simpler. Thinking of a party in Stone Wood? Cooking in a public park typically needs permission from the council or landowner, so check first.
We cover parties in every part of the TN26 postcode area and the streets around it. Streets in the area include Bethersden Road, Shirkoak Park and Redbrook Street, and we can cook for a party on any of them. Neighbouring places where we cater parties include Woodchurch (1 mile south), Brattle (1 mile south), Brook Street (2 miles south), Leigh Green (3 miles south-west) and Appledore Heath (4 miles south). We also cook in nearby towns such as Ashford (5 miles north-east), Hythe (14 miles east), Tenterden (4 miles south-west), Bearsted (15 miles north-west), Park Wood (14 miles north-west) and Kennington (7 miles north-east).
A little further out are Romden Castle (4.6 miles north-west) and Woodchurch Village Life Museum (0.7 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Orlestone Forest.
- Local pubs include The Bonny Cravat Inn (0.7 miles south)
Step by step
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. We need a level, ventilated spot, which we agree with you beforehand. At midsummer, it is light in Shirkoak until about 9:15pm, which gives a garden party a long 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.
- We serve hot and tidy our area afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Tell us where to park and unload
How to get a price
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, use our quote form.
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What we need at the venue
If a space isn’t suitable, we’ll tell you. What matters most:
- Send a photo of the garden so we can check
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Popular choices
- Churros
- Paella Valenciana
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Tapas
- Seafood paella
Nearby places to Shirkoak
Also in Shirkoak
Catering for every guest
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Give separate numbers for children
- Keep a clear zone around the cooking area
- Have bins ready
- Ask guests about diets when you invite them
When you are ready to eat, we serve straight from the pan.
Tapas to start keep guests happy.
Is live paella right for your party?
Compared with a barbecue, paella is served all at once, so everyone eats together. And nobody is stuck at the grill. Larger events usually cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Why Shirkoak hosts choose us
- Drinks service on request
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- A quote that spells everything out
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
See Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
A closer look at the menu
Vegetable paella
Vegetable paella in its own right, with peppers, beans and artichokes.
Churros
Sugary churros with chocolate, a sweet finish.
DIY paella versus live catering
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
What paella party catering costs
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- How many guests are eating
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Distance and access to the venue
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
Details that help
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Your date and when you want to eat
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we’re available that day.
Questions from Shirkoak
Is Shirkoak too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Is Shirkoak close to London?
About 47 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
Yes, on request. Proper crockery or quality disposables can be added to your booking.
Can you supply crockery?
If you need them. Proper crockery or good-quality disposables are available.
What if the weather’s bad?
Rain doesn’t stop us, as long as there is a ventilated cover. We will make a plan B with you.
Can you serve drinks?
Yes, sangria. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
What does paella party catering cost?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Do you cook at halls and clubs?
Frequently, yes. We need somewhere outside or well ventilated to cook, and the venue’s permission.
- 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