Kent · England
Wedding paella catering in Acton, Kent
Something for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Paella catering for weddings, from canapés to the wedding breakfast and evening food for events in Acton.
- Evening wedding food
- Blessings and vow renewals
- Marquee and garden weddings
Wedding paella catering in Acton
How our wedding paella catering works in Acton
Timing is everything with paella: once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and it is best served right away. We plan it around your speeches and photos. On the menu are a paella wedding breakfast, table tapas and Spanish desserts, and we are regularly asked to cater destination-style celebrations at home and blessings and vow renewals.
Rural weddings around Acton have a magic of their own, and an open-air paella adds to it. Plan for access and a wet-weather cover. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
How it works
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you are free to enjoy your wedding. Any tapas or canapés are served first as the rice is cooking. At midsummer, sunset in Acton is about 9:15pm, so we can time the evening paella around your photos. Sunset is around 8:45pm in late May and 7:00pm in late September.
- Send us your wedding date, venue and numbers.
- Together we plan each course.
- We agree timings with you and your venue.
- We cook live on the day and serve each course.
- We clear our area; staff stay as booked.
Getting ready for the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
How to get a price
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, use our quote form.
Read more
Planning the cooking area
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space when you get in touch. In general, we need:
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
On the menu in Acton
- Dessert
- Canapé tapas
- Sangria & bar staff
- Table tapas
- Evening paella
- Paella wedding breakfast
The menu, dish by dish
Paella wedding breakfast
Paellas for every guest, served hot and generous.
Evening paella
Evening paella is hot, filling and fun, especially after a few hours on the dance floor.
Planning a paella wedding in Acton
Acton is about 10 miles south-west of Ashford, in Kent. We cater weddings at gardens, halls and venues around Acton and the surrounding area. Acton is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 24 miles away.
Flatropers Wood nearby makes a lovely backdrop for photos. Couples marrying at local churches such as Parish Church of St John the Baptist frequently hold the reception nearby: we can be cooking during the photos, so it is ready as guests arrive. With the coast within about 5 miles, a seafood paella suits a seaside-style wedding. We will plan shelter from sea breezes.
We cater weddings across the TN30 postcode area. Other places close to Acton for wedding paella catering include The Stocks (1 mile south), Stone Corner (1 mile north-east), Wittersham (1 mile south-west), Reading Street (2 miles north-east) and Stone in Oxney (2 miles east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Ashford (10 miles north-east), Tenterden (4 miles north), Kennington (12 miles north-east), New Romney (10 miles east), Staplehurst (12 miles north-west) and Stanhope (10 miles north-east).
A little further out are Smallhythe Place (1.5 miles north-west) and Ypres Tower (4.9 miles south). The countryside around Acton includes Flatropers Wood.
- Nearby, you will find The Ewe And Lamb Inn (0.6 miles south-west)
DIY paella versus live catering
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.
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
Diets, allergies and planning
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Check the venue’s rules for outside caterers
- Introduce us to your venue coordinator
- Let us know about meals for your band or photographer
- Choose pan-side or table service
If things run late, and we’ll adjust the cooking so the paella is served at its best.
Crockery, cutlery and waiting staff are available.
Questions from Acton
What about events near the coast?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Parish Church of St John the Baptist?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
How soon do we need to book?
The sooner the better. Popular dates book up first, so get in touch early.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain does not stop us, as long as there is a ventilated cover. We’ll talk it through before the day.
How many different paellas?
Usually two or three, so every guest has a choice. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we’ll suggest the mix.
How long do you need on site?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Who clears up?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
For planners, venues and organisers
Events in public spaces, like parks, typically need permission. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Organising a club, school or community event in Acton? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
A plated wedding breakfast needs a kitchen and a large team. Paella needs a level, ventilated spot and permission, and suits a relaxed style. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Why us?
- Catering across Kent, including Acton
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
Read Our prices page And What paella catering costs.
Events we cater in Acton
Paella feels relaxed and generous, which is why couples choose it, and guests talk about it afterwards.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Vow renewals and civil ceremonies
- Wedding receptions after a small ceremony
- Evening wedding food
- Informal wedding breakfasts
Historic houses near Acton include Smallhythe Place (1.5 miles north-west) and Lamb House (4.9 miles south). If your reception is at a historic house or estate, ask early about its rules on caterers and live cooking.
Before you book anyone
- Space, access and power needs
- The wet-weather plan
- When payment is due
- A clear list of what’s included
More for events in Acton
- 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