Beach weddings, rehearsal dinners and vacation-rental parties on the Forgotten Coast call for food that is relaxed and generous. Real Paella Catering cooks authentic Valencian paella on-site on St. George Island, in Apalachicola, Port St. Joe and the coastal towns in between.
Real Paella Catering is a family-owned business founded in 2006 by Valencia-born chef Juan Ten Boquera, serving all of North Florida.
Areas we serve
St. George Island, Eastpoint, Apalachicola, Port St. Joe, Indian Pass, WindMark Beach and Alligator Point, plus the rest of the Panhandle including Panama City and 30A.
Call our Northwest Florida line: 850-980-1650. We answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Weddings, rehearsal dinners and more
Weddings and rehearsal dinners are what we cater most. See our wedding catering and rehearsal dinner catering pages, and we also cater engagement parties, corporate events and office parties, birthdays, family reunions, quinceañeras and backyard paella parties, from intimate gatherings to 1,000 guests.
How on-site paella catering works
- Cooked in front of your guests in traditional giant paella pans. The cooking is part of the entertainment.
- About 2 hours from the moment we start setting up until we are ready to serve.
- A flat outdoor space of at least 10′ x 10′ (more for larger parties), with direct access for our truck and trailer.
- No kitchen, water or electricity needed. We always bring a tent in case of rain.
- Served from the pan buffet-style, or plated to the tables with servers.
- Prefer delivery? We cook the paella fresh and deliver it hot in disposable trays with simple warming instructions.
Add licensed bartending (no catering order required) and live flamenco or classical guitar to complete the evening. More details: pricing & how it works and our FAQs.
The menu
Every paella is cooked with Albufera rice, saffron and smoked paprika imported from Spain, and our paella is naturally gluten-free with no MSG. Popular choices:
- Paella Mixta: chicken, pork and seafood, our most requested wedding paella
- Seafood Paella (Paella de Marisco)
- Classic Paella (Paella Clasica): chicken and pork
- Vegan Paella (Paella Vegetal): fresh vegetables, great for mixed crowds
Round it out with a Spanish salad, traditional tapas, homemade dessert and sangria, the combination most of our wedding couples choose. See the full catering menu.
What our customers say
“We had Real Paella cater our wedding in Apalachicola in March and they were absolutely spectacular! We had them cook on-site and it was amazing. My guests are still telling me how amazing the food was and what a great experience they had.”
Real Paella customer review
Forgotten Coast venues we’ve catered
We have experience catering beach houses and venues along the Forgotten Coast, including WindMark Beach and The Grove at Indian Pass. Read about a wedding we cooked in Apalachicola.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum guest count on the Forgotten Coast?
There is a 50-guest minimum for events outside Leon County, and we can serve up to 1,000 guests.
Can you cook at a beach rental on St. George Island?
Yes, if there is a flat outdoor area of at least 10′ x 10′ (more for larger parties) and direct access for our truck and trailer.
What happens if it rains?
We always bring a tent. If it is unsafe to cook outside, we will bring your meal cooked and ready to serve.
Get your quote
Tell us your date, guest count and city and we will send a custom quote. Booking is confirmed with an online contract and deposit; the final payment is due on the day of the event.