Kent · England
Paella party catering in West Cross, Kent
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events makes the food a highlight of your party in West Cross.
- Wakes and memorial gatherings
- Street and neighbourhood parties
- Engagement and anniversary parties
Planning an event in West Cross?
What happens on the day
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 while your guests chat. A summer party in West Cross stays light until about 9:15pm at midsummer, so a garden party can run well into the evening. In late September it’s dark by about 7:00pm; add lights for the evening.
- Send us your date, address and numbers.
- You get a menu and a quote.
- We arrive before your guests and set up.
- The paella cooks while your guests chat.
- We serve from the pan and pack down.
Before we arrive
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
Get a quote
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your party, and we will suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Paella party catering in West Cross, cooked live
Birthdays, anniversaries, christenings and summer get-togethers all suit live paella. The cooking is the centrepiece, and the food is served hot and generous. We cook chicken and chorizo paella, mixed paella and seafood paella, and we are often booked for big family gatherings and engagement and anniversary parties.
A country party near West Cross is perfect for paella: cooked in the open and served hot. Have a gazebo ready in case of rain. Everything is cooked from scratch at your party, never made in advance and reheated.
What’s in the pans
Churros
All ages love churros.
Vegetable paella
Vegetarians get a real main course, and meat eaters often try it too.
West Cross parties: what to know
West Cross is about 12 miles south-west of Ashford, in Kent. We cater parties at gardens, halls and venues around West Cross. West Cross is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. Our events stretch from West Cross to Canterbury (about 25 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Smallhythe Place (3.7 miles east) and Great Dixter (4.1 miles south). If you’re hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on outside caterers first. The High Weald National Landscape is within about 5 miles of West Cross, so a garden party here comes with a lovely backdrop.
For paella party catering in TN17, we plan around your venue. Nearby, we also cater parties in Rolvenden (1 mile east), Rolvenden Layne (1 mile south-east), Strood (1 mile east), East End (2 miles north) and Parkgate (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cater in Maidstone (15 miles north), Ashford (12 miles north-east), Paddock Wood (13 miles north-west), Tenterden (3 miles east), Bearsted (15 miles north) and Park Wood (13 miles north).
Well-known places in the area include Benenden Hospital (2.2 miles north) and Sissinghurst Castle (4.5 miles north).
- Local pubs include Bull Hotel (0.5 miles east)
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it is in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Other catering in West Cross
Organising for someone else?
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. Our advice:
- Make sure children stay back from the pans
- Have cover ready for a shower
- Have bins ready
- Plan seats for most guests
We arrive before your guests to set up.
We can bring plates, cutlery and staff.
West Cross questions
Can you cook at venues in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Is West Cross close to London?
About 43 miles from central London, and well within our area.
When should I book?
The sooner the better, but it’s always worth asking. We’ll check availability right away.
What if the weather’s bad?
We cook under cover, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
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 do you need at the venue?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
How much does paella party catering cost in West Cross?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Does it make plenty of smoke?
There’s a cooking smell, but much less smoke than a barbecue. Let the neighbours know.
Occasions we cook for in West Cross
It feels like a holiday in your own garden.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Big family gatherings
- Garden get-togethers
- Wakes and memorial gatherings
After a christening at a church like Parish Church of St Mary, a paella lunch is an easy way to feed family and friends.
Comparing caterers
- If the price includes VAT
- How each diet is kept separate
- How late numbers can change
- The venue requirements
How we price paella party catering
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Whether you need crockery
- How long we are needed on site
- Guest numbers
- Parking and unloading
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
What to tell us
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- The courses you’d like
- Expected numbers
- The venue or postcode
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Why choose live paella in West Cross?
DIY catering saves money but costs you time. With live paella, you’re a guest too. The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Why us?
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
Take a look at Our prices page Or The cost guide.
- 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