Greater London · England
Festival & event paella in Merton, Greater London
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 Merton.
- Seasonal markets
- Crew, volunteer and VIP catering
- Music and food festivals
Live festival paella catering in Merton
Running an event in Merton
Merton is about 1 mile south-east of Wimbledon, in Greater London. We bring festival paella catering to homes, gardens and venues in Merton and nearby villages. We cook in all 764 towns and villages across Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for London, about 7 miles away.
If your event is in Wandle Park, the organiser will need the landowner’s permission; we will supply our paperwork. School fairs, for a school like Merton Abbey Primary School, are a natural fit for a paella stall.
We cook at events all over SW19. Streets in the area include High Path, Pincott Road and Hayward Close, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Merton is on the A24, so it is easy for us to reach with the van and pans. Other places close to Merton for festival paella catering include Merton Abbey (1 mile east), South Wimbledon (1 mile north-west), Colliers Wood (1 mile east), Tooting Bec (1 mile north-east) and Summerstown (1 mile north). Larger places within reach include London (7 miles north-east), City of Westminster (7 miles north), Marylebone (7 miles north), Kensington (6 miles north), St Pancras (8 miles north) and Shoreditch (9 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Wandle Industrial Museum (1.2 miles south-east) and St Leonard's (2.7 miles east). Open spaces near Merton include Henman Hill and Merton Park Green Walks.
- Local schools include Rutlish School (0.8 miles west) and Wimbledon School of Art (0.9 miles west)
- Local pubs include The Nelson Arms (under half a mile north-east)
How our festival paella catering works in Merton
We cook at festivals, fairs, markets, school and charity events, sports days and open days in and around Merton. Whether it is county and country shows and school fairs and fundraisers, we can cook giant-pan paella, seafood paella and vegan paella for your guests.
In Merton, community events include street parties, school fairs and markets. Public spaces usually need council permission, and we’ll provide what the organiser asks for. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it’s hot and generous, and a queue moves quickly.
- Location
- Merton (SW19)
- County
- Greater London
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Step by step
Serving is fast: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so large groups are fed quickly. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. At midsummer, events in Merton stay light until about 9:20pm, so evening trading normally finishes in daylight in high summer. Winter markets, dark by about 3:55pm, need a well-lit pitch.
- First, we check the dates.
- We agree menu and pitch.
- We set up our burners and pans.
- The first pans are ready as visitors arrive.
- We serve, then pack down.
Before we arrive
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Plan cover in case of rain
How to get a price
To get a price, use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Merton, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Planning help
Why choose live paella in Merton?
Some traders struggle with vegan and gluten-free options. A paella stall can have a vegan pan alongside the rest. Larger events usually cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why book with us
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- A clear, itemised quote
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
Read Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
FAQs for Merton
Can you cook in Wandle Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, typically the council. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
What about parking in Merton?
London parking needs planning: let us know about permits or off-street space. We’ll plan unloading around it.
How soon do we need to book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it is short notice, it is worth asking.
Will there be long queues?
Big batches and service from the pan keep things moving.
Do you take everything away?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Do you have vegan options at events?
Yes. There’s a vegan pan next to the others.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, while the rice is cooking.
Do you need power?
Send pitch details and we will confirm.
Diets, allergies and planning
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Check allergen info is on display
- Ask traders about packaging and waste
- Send traders one clear trader pack
- Schedule crew meals
Allergen information is available at the stall.
Vegan paella alongside the rest.
Before you choose a spot
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Clear information on power, water and waste
- Flat, firm ground
- Trader information and site rules
As a London location, Merton is inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking takes planning: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Popular choices
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Seafood paella
- Vegan paella
- Churros
- Giant paella pans
- Tapas
Planners, venues and businesses
Throwing a party at home? Send us a photo of the garden and tell us about access, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Events we cater in Merton
It works at small fêtes and big festivals.
In Merton and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Popular bookings include:
- Country shows
- School fairs and fundraisers
- Feeding crew and volunteers
- Festivals
For a church fête or fundraiser, at a church such as St John The Divine, a paella stall adds a hot meal to the cakes and tombola.
Comparing caterers
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- VAT, if it applies
- The deadline for final numbers
What festival paella catering costs
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- How many courses
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Distance and access to the venue
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we will suggest a menu.
Details that help
These details help us quote quickly:
- Which courses you have in mind
- The date and time of the event
- A picture of where we’d cook
- The address or venue name
Send us the date, your venue or SW19 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Also in Merton
What’s in the pans
Giant paella pans
A pan the size of a cartwheel, full of saffron rice.
Vegan paella
Vegan visitors get a real meal.
- 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