Kent · England
Paella catering in ME20
Paella, tapas and desserts across ME20, covering Ditton, Aylesford and Lunsford. Weddings, parties, work events and festivals, with every diet catered for.
Live paella across ME20
Areas within ME20
- Ditton
- Aylesford
- Lunsford
- Larkfield
- Eccles
- New Hythe
- Kit's Coty
- Forstal
- Pratling Street
- Allington
- Leybourne
- Sandling
Catering in ME20
- Corporate paella catering
- Tapas & canapé catering
- Paella party catering
- Wedding paella catering
- Live paella catering
- Festival & event paella
- All catering
Tell us your date, numbers and venue and we’ll reply with a menu and a price: fill in our quote form.
Our paella catering in ME20
We cook every paella from scratch on the day, beginning with a sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, then the stock, saffron and rice. We cook black rice, vegetable paella and vegan paella, and we are frequently booked for fairs, fêtes and festivals and naming days and family parties.
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. We need a level, ventilated spot, and we agree where that is before the day.
- Get in touch with the basics: when, where and how many.
- Expect a menu idea and a clear, itemised price.
- Closer to the day, we confirm timings and the cooking spot.
- We set up, cook from scratch and keep an eye on your timings.
- We serve, then leave our area tidy.
Cost
Got a budget? Let us know, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Why book with us
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Catering across Kent, including ME20
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Live cooking, not reheated food
Getting a price
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
Near you in Ditton
In Ditton, that can mean a party near Ditton Quarry, Ditton Infant School and Aylesford School. Nearby too are St Peter's Church (within half a mile west), The Malling School (1 mile west) and Kentish Quarryman pub (within half a mile north). The nearest railway station is Aylesford station, about 0.6 miles north-east. Well-known places in the area include Leybourne Castle (1.6 miles north-west) and Fremlin Walk (3.1 miles south-east). The countryside around Ditton includes Burham Down and Blue Bell Hill.
Catering events across ME20
ME20 covers everything from Allington, Ditton and Aylesford to 8 small villages and hamlets, and live paella works in all of them. Town events mean planning parking; village events mean planning access.
Ditton: Thinking of a picnic-style party in Ditton Quarry? Public parks normally need permission from the council or landowner for cooking, so check first. Nearby historic houses include Starkey Castle (4.8 miles north). Historic venues frequently limit cooking, so ask early if you’re booking one. Around midsummer it stays light in Ditton until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:00pm, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 3:50pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
For planners, venues and organisers
If you are organising for someone else, whether you are a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we are happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Prices and what affects them
There is nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- Waiting and bar staff
- Timings and hours
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- How many guests are eating
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What we need to know
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- The courses you’d like
- A picture of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- The date and time of the event
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, send us your details through our quote form.
Live paella or other catering?
Food trucks and street-food vans serve one portion at a time. A big pan serves many guests fast, which suits weddings and parties where everyone eats together.
Comparing caterers
- VAT, if it applies
- How late numbers can change
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- Any travel, parking or access charges
Planning for every diet
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Flag any coeliac guests, not just gluten-free preferences
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Ask about diets and allergies on your invitation or RSVP
- Confirm allergies by email
The rice takes about 20 minutes once it goes in, so we time it carefully. If timings shift, we adapt.
Sangria and bar staff can be added for your own drinks.
The menu, dish by dish
Mixed paella
Chicken and seafood together.
Black rice
Black rice gets its colour from squid ink, and is normally served with alioli. It’s a striking addition to a seafood menu.
Questions from ME20
What about pudding?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Tell us what you have in mind when you ask for a quote.
Does paella work for big events?
Yes. Big pans feed plenty of people, and service from the pan is quick.
What space do you need to cook?
Not a lot: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. Send us a picture if you are not sure.
What if the weather’s bad?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We’ll make a plan B with you.
What is live paella catering?
We arrive with pans, burners and ingredients, cook in front of your guests, and serve at the time you want.
Which areas do you serve?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including ME20.
Can paella be the only main course?
Paella is a meal in itself. Tapas and desserts can be added if you like.
- 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