Kent · England
Paella party catering in St Margarets, Kent
We cook paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events in St Margarets and nearby, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Street and neighbourhood parties
- Milestone birthdays
- Anniversary celebrations
Book paella party catering in St Margarets
Space, weather and the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before you book.
On the menu in St Margarets
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Churros
- Tapas
About our paella party catering in St Margarets
You get to be a guest at your own party: no shopping, no cooking, no hours at the stove. The food is our job. Typical bookings include celebrations of life and anniversary celebrations, with tapas, seafood paella and chicken and chorizo paella.
Near St Margarets, parties are frequently in gardens or fields. Let us know about access, and we’ll plan the set-up. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
Diets, allergies and planning
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Have bins ready
- Plan seats for most guests
- Have cover ready for a shower
- Give the neighbours a heads-up
Kids are fascinated by the giant pans.
Tapas to start keep hunger at bay.
Live paella or other catering?
Ordering in is easy but forgettable. Live paella gives guests a show. Larger events generally cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why St Margarets hosts choose us
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- A clear, itemised quote
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
Read Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
Your questions about paella party catering in St Margarets
Can you cook at venues in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Could we have live paella in Darenth Country Park?
Only if the landowner, typically the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
How far ahead should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it is short notice, it is worth asking.
Can you cook indoors?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
What space do you need to cook?
Less than you might think: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. Send us a picture if you’re not sure.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, served while the paella cooks.
Do you do desserts?
Yes. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices, or you can serve your own cake.
Is halal food available?
Yes, we do. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in a separate pan.
How the day works
The paella is cooked in huge, shallow pans over gas burners. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, and we agree where that is before the day. At midsummer, it’s light in St Margarets until about 9:20pm, which gives a garden party a long evening. In late September it’s dark by about 7:05pm; add lights for the evening.
- Send us your date, address and numbers.
- You get a menu and a quote.
- We set up before guests arrive.
- Guests watch the paella cook.
- We serve, then clear our area.
How to prepare
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
Get a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
Read more
Occasions we cook for in St Margarets
It’s the easiest way to feed a party without being stuck in the kitchen, and guests love it.
These are some of the occasions we cater:
- Wakes and memorial gatherings
- Retirement celebrations
- Family get-togethers
- Neighbourhood celebrations
After a christening at a church like Church of St Margaret of Antioch, a paella lunch is an easy way to feed family and friends.
What your quote should include
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- How each diet is kept separate
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Whether travel is included
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Places near St Margarets
Also in St Margarets
What affects the price in St Margarets
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- The paellas you choose
- Waiting and bar staff
- How many courses
- Distance and access to the venue
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
What to tell us
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- What the venue already provides
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- The date and rough timings
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Planners, venues and businesses
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in St Margarets? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we will suggest a menu.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Parties in St Margarets: gardens, venues and local tips
St Margarets is about 3 miles south-east of Dartford, in Kent. We cook at parties in homes, gardens and venues in St Margarets and the surrounding area. St Margarets is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent we cover. Our nearest city page is London, about 16 miles away.
Parks such as Darenth Country Park generally need permission for cooking, so a garden or hired venue is often easier. For guests coming by train, Farningham Road station is about 1.1 miles away. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 7 miles of St Margarets, so a garden party here comes with a lovely backdrop.
Here we cover the DA4 postcode area. Nearby, we also cater parties in South Darenth (1 mile south-west), Darenth (1 mile north), Green Street Green (1 mile east), Sutton at Hone (1 mile west) and Grubb Street (1 mile east). Further out, we also cater in Maidstone (15 miles south-east), Dartford (3 miles north-west), Sevenoaks (9 miles south), Gravesend (5 miles east), Tonbridge (15 miles south) and Northfleet (4 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Stone Museum of Geology (2.5 miles north) and Darent Valley Hospital (1.7 miles north). The countryside around St Margarets includes Sawyers Lake and Wansunt Pit.
- Nearby schools include Leigh Academy (2.1 miles north-west)
- Local pubs include Fox & Hounds pub (0.9 miles north)
- 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