West Sussex · England
Festival Paella Catering in Balcombe Lane
Something for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Paella street food for festivals, fairs, markets and community events in Balcombe Lane.
- Festivals
- Farmers’ and Christmas markets
- Agricultural and county shows
Planning an event in Balcombe Lane?
Balcombe Lane events: pitches and permissions
Balcombe Lane is about 4 miles south-east of Crawley, in West Sussex. We cook at events in homes, gardens and venues in Balcombe Lane and the surrounding area. We cook in 371 places in West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 17 miles away.
School fairs, for a school like Balcombe CofE Controlled Primary School, are a natural fit for a paella stall. For visitors coming by rail, Balcombe station is about 1.3 miles away. Within about 8 miles is the High Weald National Landscape, where events may have extra rules on vehicles and waste; we work to the site rules.
For festival paella catering in RH17, we plan around your venue. Other places close to Balcombe Lane for festival paella catering include Balcombe (1 mile south), Worth Abbey (2 miles north-east), Furnace Green (2 miles north-west), Pease Pottage (3 miles west) and Staplefield (3 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (4 miles north-west), Horsham (8 miles west), Haywards Heath (5 miles south), Burgess Hill (8 miles south), East Grinstead (6 miles north-east) and Broadfield (4 miles north-west).
Nearby you’ll also find Crawley Museum (3.9 miles north-west) and Waterbury Castle (4.8 miles south-east). The countryside around Balcombe Lane includes Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow and Tilgate Lake.
- Local schools include Oriel High School (2.5 miles north-west)
About our festival paella catering in Balcombe Lane
Nothing draws a festival crowd like a giant paella. The sight and smell of it cooking brings people over, and portions are served quickly from the pan. Whether it’s school fairs and fundraisers and race days and sports events, we can cook seafood paella, giant-pan paella and vegan paella and more.
Rural events near Balcombe Lane can be a long way from food outlets, so a hot-food stall is a big help. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it’s hot and generous, and service is quick once it’s ready.
- Location
- Balcombe Lane (RH17)
- County
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
For event organisers in Balcombe Lane
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
If you are organising for someone else, whether you are a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we’re happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
How it works
When we arrive, we set up our cooking area, light the burners and start the sofrito. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so we time everything to your schedule. At midsummer, events in Balcombe Lane stay light until about 9:20pm, so evening trading generally finishes in daylight in high summer. For winter markets, dark by about 3:55pm, the pitch needs lighting.
- First, we check the dates.
- We agree what we’ll serve and where.
- Burners and pans go up.
- The first pans are ready as visitors arrive.
- We serve, then clear the pitch at the end.
How to prepare
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Getting a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. When you are ready, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
How we price festival paella catering
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Distance and access to the venue
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- The length of service
- Guest numbers
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 you book.
Details that help
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but these help:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- The date and time of the event
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
Send us the date, your venue or RH17 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and we will reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just fill in our quote form.
Planning the cooking area
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Vehicle access before and after the event
- A level pitch on firm ground
- Spacing from tents and other structures
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before booking.
What we offer
- Vegan paella
- Seafood paella
- Churros
- Tapas
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Giant paella pans
Also near Balcombe Lane
Other catering in Balcombe Lane
Should I cook it myself?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
Catering for every guest
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Check how many portions traders can serve
- Check traders’ packaging and waste plans
- Feed crew and volunteers at set times
- Put picnic tables near the traders
Allergen details are available at the stall.
Tapas and churros can be added to a stall menu.
Balcombe Lane: your questions answered
Do you come out to small places like Balcombe Lane?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
Do you cater in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
How much is live paella catering?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Can you cater for crew and volunteers?
Yes. Crew, volunteer and VIP catering is available, with or without a public stall.
Can you do sangria?
Yes, sangria. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes. We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook it there and then, serving it hot from the pan.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three is usual: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We’ll help you decide the split.
When do you arrive?
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.
Occasions we cook for in Balcombe Lane
It covers several diets with one trader.
Whatever you are celebrating in Balcombe Lane, paella can be the star of the food. We regularly cater:
- Agricultural and county shows
- Music and food festivals
- Feeding crew and volunteers
- Summer fairs and fêtes
For a church fête or fundraiser, at a church such as The Parish Church of St Mary, a paella stall adds a hot meal to the cakes and tombola.
What your quote should include
- How each diet is kept separate
- Whether travel is included
- Whether VAT is included
- How late numbers can change
About the dishes
Chicken & chorizo paella
Smoky and filling, popular with families.
Giant paella pans
The huge pan is the star.
- 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