Since 2006 we have been cooking authentic Valencian paella on-site for weddings, rehearsal dinners, office parties, graduations, birthdays and backyard gatherings across Leon County and the Big Bend, and anywhere within about an hour of Tallahassee we cater parties as small as 15 guests.
Real Paella Catering is a family-owned business founded in 2006 by Valencia-born chef Juan Ten, serving all of North Florida.
Areas we serve
Tallahassee and all of Leon County, plus Thomasville, GA and the surrounding North Central Florida and South Georgia area. We also travel along the coast to Apalachicola and the rest of the Panhandle.
Call our North Central 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 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.
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.
In the news
Tallahassee has followed us from the start. Read Tallahassee’s Real Paella offers authentic Spanish cuisine and Man with a pan wows with Real Paella at the growers market.
What our customers say
“Juan and Jose knocked it out of the park! They were on time, provided beautifully selected Tapas, Sangria and perfectly cooked Paella! They are helpful, kind and very reasonable. I highly recommend Real Paella for an intimate party or a feast for hundreds.”
Real Paella customer review
“We had a terrifically delicious and fun paella party with Real Paella. We had a small get together of about 20 people, ages from 13 to the 85 year old birthday boy. All loved the food and had fun interacting with the chef as he created a delicious paella mixta.”
Real Paella customer review
Tallahassee Venues We’ve Catered
Tallahassee venues where we have experience include Feather Oaks, Goodwood Museum & Gardens, Mission San Luis, Maclay Gardens State Park, Dorothy B. Oven Park and Bradley’s Pond.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum guest count in Tallahassee?
Within about an hour of Tallahassee the minimum is 15 guests, the lowest anywhere we cater. Farther away the minimum is 50 guests. The maximum is 1,000 guests.
Can you cook at our house or a park in Tallahassee?
Yes. We need a flat outdoor area of at least 10′ x 10′ (more for larger parties) and direct access for our truck and trailer. We do not need your kitchen, water or electricity.
Can you deliver paella in Tallahassee instead of cooking on-site?
Yes. We cook the paella fresh, transfer it to disposable aluminum trays and deliver it fresh with instructions for warming and serving.
Do you offer bartending for Tallahassee events?
Yes. We are licensed for liquor, wine and beer, and you can book bartending even without a catering order.
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.