Kent · England
Paella catering in TN29
We cook at events in every part of the TN29 postcode district, which takes in Dymchurch, Lydd and St Mary's Bay. Everything is cooked live on the day.
Live paella across TN29
Places in TN29
- Dymchurch
- Lydd
- St Mary's Bay
- Lydd-on-Sea
- Brookland
- Newchurch
- Brenzett
- Burmarsh
- St Mary in the Marsh
- Dungeness
- Snargate
- Donkey Street
- Ivychurch
- Old Romney
Events we cater in TN29
- Wedding paella catering
- Live paella catering
- Festival & event paella
- Tapas & canapé catering
- Paella party catering
- Corporate paella catering
- All catering
Tell us your date, numbers and venue and we’ll reply with a menu and a price: fill in our quote form.
Districts next door
Across Kent
Towns and villages in Kent
Every area we cover
How paella catering works in TN29
Live paella works almost anywhere with a level, ventilated spot: gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and festival fields. We are often asked to cater retirement and leaving parties and company summer parties, with seafood paella, black rice and chicken and chorizo paella.
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, and we agree where that is before the day.
- Contact us with the basics: when, where and how many.
- We come back with paellas to suit your guests, plus any extras.
- Closer to the day, we confirm timings and the cooking spot.
- On the day we cook live, timed around your event.
- Guests are served from the pan, and our area is cleared afterwards.
Cost
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
What you get with us
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Drinks service on request
- We cover TN29 and the whole of Kent
- Served hot, straight from the pan
Getting a price
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, use our quote form.
Landmarks near Dymchurch
Around Dymchurch, we cater at gardens, homes and venues near Dymchurch Primary School, Church of St Peter and St Paul and The Ship Inn and the streets around them. For guests coming by rail, the closest station is Westenhanger station, about 4.6 miles north of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Lympne Castle (2.9 miles north).
Paella catering in TN29: local guide
Across TN29, we cook in 3 towns and 11 villages and hamlets, so whether your event is in Dymchurch, Lydd and St Mary's Bay or a quiet village, the approach is the same: level ground, ventilation and agreed timings. Around 4 places in TN29 are close to the coast, where we always plan shelter from the wind, and seafood paella is popular.
Dymchurch: School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Dymchurch Primary School, can book us as a food stall. Historic houses near Dymchurch include Westenhanger Castle (4.5 miles north). Historic venues frequently limit cooking, so ask early if you’re booking one. Around midsummer it stays light in Dymchurch until about 9:15pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:00pm, so summer evening events are usually served in daylight. For winter events, when it is dark by about 3:50pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it is in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Organising for someone else?
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will explain how it works. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
Planning the cooking area
We’ll agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
Dishes our guests love
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, and is normally served with alioli. It makes a dramatic second seafood pan.
Vegetable and vegan paella
Seasonal vegetables on a rich sofrito base make a paella that stands on its own. Vegan versions use plant-based stock.
Planning for every diet
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Ask about diets and allergies on your invitation or RSVP
- Put allergy details in writing
- Make sure most guests can sit to eat
- Flag any coeliac guests, not just gluten-free preferences
The rice takes about 20 minutes once it goes in, so we time it carefully. If timings shift, we adapt.
Tapas or canapés make a good start while the paella cooks.
TN29 questions
Does paella work for big events?
It is ideal. Large pans and fast service from the pan make it well suited to crowds.
Where do you cater?
We cover London and the South East, including Kent. Find your area.
Which paellas suit our guests?
Two or three is usual: chicken or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. See the sample menu.
How many different paellas?
Most events have two or three: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We’ll help you decide the split.
Can you cater for children?
Children are welcome. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we will plan a pan with them in mind.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Courtyards, doorways and terraces frequently work.
How long does the paella take?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
- 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