England
Paella catering in Southampton
We cook live paella at weddings, parties, corporate events and festivals in 40 towns and villages across Southampton.
Live paella across Southampton
What we do in Southampton
Pick a service to see all the towns we cover for it, or find your town in the A to Z below.
About paella catering in Southampton
Keep it simple, or go all out: just paella, or paella with tapas, desserts and drinks. We’ll recommend what fits your event. Popular choices include chicken and chorizo paella, black rice and vegan paella, and we’re frequently booked for garden get-togethers and retirement and leaving parties.
When we arrive, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so we time everything to your schedule.
- First, you send us your date, venue, numbers and diets.
- We put together a menu and a clear quote.
- On the day we arrive in good time, set up and start the stock.
- The rice cooks in full view, while tapas or canapés go round.
- It is served straight from the pan, and we pack down afterwards.
Prices in Southampton
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
Why choose Love Paella
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Real theatre, not just catering
Get a quote
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will confirm whether we’re available that day.
What’s near Southampton
Events here are often close to Saint Mary's, St Mary's Independent School and Rockstone Place Park. Nearby too are Bevois Town Primary School (less than half a mile west), The Hobbit pub (within half a mile west) and St Anne's Catholic School (0.6 miles south-west). There is a railway station in Southampton itself: St Denys station. Nearby you will also find Marlands Shopping Centre (1 mile south-west) and R J Mitchell Museum (0.9 miles south-west). For a walk before or after the party, there is Netley Common.
Planning live paella in Southampton
There are 3 towns and 4 villages and hamlets in Southampton, so the setting can be anything from Shirley, Regents Park and Townhill Park to a quiet hamlet: level ground, ventilation and agreed timings. 40 of the places we cover in Southampton are within about 6 miles of the sea, where we always plan shelter from the wind, and seafood paella is popular.
Southampton: Historic houses near Southampton include Southampton Tudor House and Garden (1.4 miles south) and Medieval Merchant's House (1.5 miles south). Historic venues frequently limit cooking, so ask early if you’re booking one. If you’re celebrating after a service at a church like Saint Mary's, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. Planning an evening event in Southampton? Sunset is around 8:55pm in late May, 9:25pm at midsummer and 7:10pm in late September; once it’s dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
Space, weather and the venue
Before the day, we will agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
How we price paella catering
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Travel, parking and access
- How many guests are eating
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Starters, canapés and desserts
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before booking.
Getting an accurate quote
To check availability and price, we need:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The courses you’d like
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Diets and allergies you know about
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: give us the basics about your event, and we will suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: fill in our quote form.
About the dishes
Black rice
Squid ink rice is bold and savoury, and is popular with adventurous guests.
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.
Why live paella works
Paella is one of the few dishes that handles mixed diets easily, thanks to separate pans for each version. Everyone gets the same kind of meal.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In Southampton, people book us for occasions like:
- Company summer parties
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Big birthdays
Working with your venue
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
Your questions about paella catering in Southampton
How long does the paella take?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Are premium seafood options available?
We will suggest seafood to suit your menu and budget. Premium options are available.
Do you do starters?
Yes. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, served while the paella cooks.
How do you work out quantities?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
How does live paella catering work?
We bring everything needed to cook on site, cook while everyone watches, and serve at the time you want.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, if you need them. Let us know what you have, and we’ll quote for the rest.
Do we need to provide equipment?
Pans, burners and ingredients all come with us. You just need a suitable spot and access.
All places in Southampton
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- 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