Hampshire · England
Festival Paella Catering in Highwood
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, paella street food for festivals, fairs, markets and community events makes the food a highlight of your event in Highwood.
- Farmers’ and Christmas markets
- Race days and sports events
- Village fêtes
Book festival paella catering in Highwood
Catering for every guest
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because every paella has its own pan. A few tips:
- Book crew catering in advance
- Put picnic tables near the traders
- Plan for vegan and gluten-free visitors
- Check how many portions traders can serve
Crew meals are served at set times.
Bowl food for easy eating on the move.
Festival paella catering in Highwood, made fresh on the day
We can trade as a stall or cook for crew, volunteers and VIP areas. Typical bookings include school and charity events and sports clubs and race days, serving chicken and chorizo paella, giant-pan paella and seafood paella.
At a field event near Highwood, power and water may be limited; let us know and we’ll plan for it. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
Community events around Highwood
Highwood is about 2 miles north-east of Ringwood, in Hampshire. Anywhere in BH24, we can bring the pans to you. We cook in all 683 towns and villages across Hampshire. Our events stretch from Highwood to Southampton (about 16 miles away).
School fairs, for a school like Poulner Infant School, are a natural fit for a paella stall. Events in and around the New Forest National Park, within about 4 miles of Highwood, frequently have rules about vehicles, ground and waste; we’ll follow the site’s requirements.
This part of Hampshire takes in BH24. Other places close to Highwood for festival paella catering include Hangersley (1 mile south), Rockford (1 mile north-west), Shobley (1 mile south-east), Forest Corner (1 mile south-east) and Blashford (1 mile west). Further out, we also cater in Totton (12 miles east), Lymington (12 miles south-east), Romsey (15 miles north-east), New Milton (9 miles south-east), Barton on Sea (10 miles south-east) and Dibden Purlieu (15 miles east).
A little further out are St Leonard's Hospital (5.5 miles south-west). The countryside around Highwood includes Linbrook Lake and Blashford Lakes.
- Local schools include Ringwood School Academy (1.7 miles south-west)
- Pubs nearby include Alice Lisle Inn (0.8 miles north-west)
Space, weather and the venue
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- Pitch space for cooking and serving
- The event’s site rules and timings
- Your arrangements for power, water and waste
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
Popular choices
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegan paella
- Tapas
- Seafood paella
- Giant paella pans
- Churros
Should I cook it myself?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Dishes our guests love
Giant paella pans
Huge pans of golden rice, cooking in full view.
Seafood paella
Seafood paella is always popular.
How it works
Expect a friendly, organised team. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up the pans and burners, and get on with cooking and serving. At midsummer, events in Highwood stay light until about 9:25pm, so evening trading generally finishes in daylight in high summer. For winter markets, dark by about 4:05pm, the pitch needs lighting.
- Tell us about the event and pitch.
- We confirm menu, pitch needs and documents.
- We arrive and set up at the agreed time.
- We cook and serve throughout.
- We pack down and tidy the pitch.
How to prepare
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Have a level space ready for the pans
Get a quote
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, along with any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
Paella compared with other options
If you want a trader that adds atmosphere, paella is a strong choice. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Why book with us
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
Take a look at Our prices page Or What paella catering costs.
Towns and villages near Highwood
Other catering in Highwood
Questions from Highwood
Is Highwood too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Can you cook at venues in the New Forest National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will work to whatever the site needs.
How quickly can you serve?
It’s one of the quickest hot foods to serve, ideal for peak times.
Do you cover Highwood?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, including Highwood and the rest of Hampshire. To check your date, send us your details through our quote form.
When do you arrive?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain doesn’t stop us, as long as there is a ventilated cover. We’ll talk it through before the day.
Can you bring crockery?
Yes, on request. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables can be added to your booking.
Perfect for your event in Highwood
Organisers book paella because it draws people into the food area.
We’re booked for all kinds of occasions in Highwood and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Sports club events
- Agricultural and county shows
- Village fêtes
- School fairs and fundraisers
For a church fête or fundraiser, at a church such as St John the Baptist, a paella stall adds a hot meal to the cakes and tombola.
What to look for in a quote
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- The deadline for final numbers
- Staff numbers and hours
- The deposit and payment dates
How we price festival paella catering
There is nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- Whether you need crockery
- The number of people
- Waiting and bar staff
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Getting an accurate quote
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- The date and time of the event
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Where the event is
Not sure what you need yet? That’s fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: send us your details through our quote form.
- 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