Hampshire · England
Festival Paella Catering for Matchams events
Looking for festival paella catering in Matchams? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- VIP and hospitality areas
- Community events and open days
- Farmers’ and Christmas markets
Planning an event in Matchams?
Festival paella catering for your event in Matchams
We cook at festivals, fairs, markets, school and charity events, sports days and open days in and around Matchams. For country shows and feeding crew and volunteers, we can cook churros, chicken and chorizo paella and vegan paella for your guests.
Near Matchams, events may be far from shops and cafés, so a paella stall is a welcome sight. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
How the day works
Here’s how the day normally runs: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, your guests watch the rice cook, and it’s served hot from the pan at the agreed time. Evening events in Matchams have light until about 9:25pm at midsummer; after that, the pitch needs good lighting.
- We check your dates.
- We agree what we’ll serve and where.
- We set up our burners and pans.
- Pans are cooking as gates open.
- We serve, then clear the pitch at the end.
Before we arrive
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
Get a quote
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will make suggestions. To start, use our quote form.
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Common questions in Matchams
Is Matchams too small for live paella?
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 New Forest National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll follow the site rules.
How much does festival paella catering cost in Matchams?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Can you handle a lunchtime rush?
Big batches and service from the pan keep things moving.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three is usual: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We will help you decide the split.
Which areas do you serve?
We cater across London and the South East, Hampshire included. Find your area.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
Yes, on request. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables can be added to your booking.
Can you cater for crew and volunteers?
Yes, timed to your schedule. Send us numbers and times.
For planners, venues and organisers
Events in public spaces, like parks, typically need permission. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Nearby places to Matchams
What else we do in Matchams
What affects the price in Matchams
There is nothing hidden: the quote reflects:
- Guest numbers
- Your choice of paellas
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
Got a budget? Let us know, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
What to tell us
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but these help:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Roughly how many adults and children
- The date and time of the event
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, use our quote form.
Space, weather and the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Clear information on power, water and waste
- Trader information and site rules
- Pitch space for cooking and serving
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly.
On the menu in Matchams
- Giant paella pans
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Churros
- Vegan paella
- Tapas
Who books festival paella catering in Matchams?
Organisers book paella because it draws people into the food area and serves them fast.
Big or small, live paella works well. Common bookings include:
- Christmas and farmers’ markets
- Open days
- Music and food festivals
- Country shows
Events in parks such as Avon Heath Country Park need permission from the council or landowner, and we will send any documents they ask for.
Before you book anyone
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- How late numbers can change
- Who provides the crockery
- Exactly what’s included in the price
Matchams events: pitches and permissions
Matchams is in Hampshire. For an event in Matchams, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Matchams. We cook in 683 places in Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Matchams to Southampton (20 miles away).
Within about 6 miles is the New Forest National Park, where events may have extra rules on vehicles and waste; we’ll follow the site’s requirements.
We cater events across the BH24 postcode area and the streets around it. That could mean an event in a garden on Maple Walk, Ash Tree Close and Sycamore Way. If your venue is just outside Matchams, we also cover Avon Castle (1 mile north-east), St Ives (1 mile north), St Leonards (1 mile north-west) and Ashley Heath (2 miles north-west). Further out, we also cater in Totton (15 miles north-east), Lymington (12 miles east), New Milton (8 miles south-east), Ringwood (3 miles north-east), Barton on Sea (8 miles south-east) and Ashley (9 miles south-east).
Other landmarks nearby include St Leonard's Hospital (1.7 miles west). Open spaces near Matchams include St Catherine's Hill and Blashford Lakes.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
For crew catering, sandwiches are easy but uninspiring. A hot paella keeps crew going. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
Why Matchams hosts choose us
- Drinks service on request
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Events in Matchams and across Hampshire
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
Take a look at Our prices page Or Our guide to catering costs.
Planning for every diet
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Make allergen information visible at every stall
- Give traders a single information pack
- Ensure the line-up includes vegan and gluten-free options
- Schedule crew meals
Crew meals are served at set times.
Larger pans for peak times.
- 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