Brighton and Hove · England
Festival Paella Catering in Patcham
We cook paella street food for festivals, fairs, markets and community events across Patcham and Brighton and Hove, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Food and music festivals
- Feeding crew and volunteers
- Race days and sports events
Festival paella catering for Patcham events
About our festival paella catering in Patcham
The pans are part of the attraction. Visitors stop to watch, take photos and come back for lunch. On the menu are giant-pan paella, seafood paella and chicken and chorizo paella, and we’re frequently booked for village fêtes and open days.
Village fêtes and summer fairs around Patcham are made for a paella stall. Send us the pitch and access details. The paella is served straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
- Location
- Patcham (BN1)
- County
- Brighton and Hove
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Patcham questions
Do you trade at school fairs around Patcham?
Yes, with the school’s permission. Tell us the date and pitch details.
Do you cater in the South Downs 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 long do you need on site?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
Can we book you as a trader?
Send us the details, and we will confirm availability and requirements.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and meat eaters often go back for seconds. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
What if the weather’s bad?
Rain does not stop us, as long as there’s a ventilated cover. We’ll make a plan B with you.
How much paella per person?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
How far ahead should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
Patcham events: pitches and permissions
Patcham is about 2 miles north of Brighton, in Brighton and Hove. From the centre of Patcham to the outskirts, festival paella catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Patcham is one of 30 places in Brighton and Hove where we cook.
For visitors coming by rail, the nearest station is Preston Park station, about 1.3 miles south. School fairs, for a school like Patcham Infant School, are a natural fit for a paella stall. Within about 5 miles is the South Downs National Park, where events may have extra rules on vehicles and waste; we work to the site rules. The coast is within about 4 miles of Patcham, so for seaside events we plan a sheltered pitch.
We cover events in every part of BN1. From London Road, Vale Avenue and Eldred Avenue or a nearby road, we’ll bring the pans to you. Other places close to Patcham for festival paella catering include Waterhall (1 mile north-west), Westdene (1 mile south-west), Hollingbury (1 mile east), Withdean (1 mile south) and Preston (1 mile south). Within a short drive, we also cover Carlton Hill (3 miles south), Hanover (3 miles south), Brunswick (3 miles south), Kemptown (4 miles south-east), Whitehawk (3 miles south-east) and Aldrington (3 miles south-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Clayton Castle (3.1 miles north) and Brighton Transport Museum (1.8 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Ditchling Beacon and Ladies Mile.
- Schools near Patcham include Patcham High School (within half a mile south-east) and The Dharma Primary School (less than half a mile east)
- Pubs nearby include Miller & Carter pub (under half a mile north-west)
Before you choose a spot
We’ll agree the cooking spot with you before the day. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Your arrangements for power, water and waste
- Trader information and site rules
- Spacing from tents and other structures
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Popular choices
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegan paella
- Giant paella pans
- Tapas
- Churros
- Seafood paella
Towns and villages near Patcham
What else we do in Patcham
How we price festival paella catering
There’s nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- Whether you need crockery
- Guest numbers
- How many courses
- Parking and unloading
Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
What we need to know
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Roughly how many adults and children
- The date and time of the event
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, send us your details through our quote form.
Diets, allergies and planning
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Send traders one clear trader pack
- Check every diet is covered by the line-up
- Plan seating near the food area
- Ask for allergen information at each stall
Allergen details are available at the stall, and each pan is labelled.
Tapas and churros can be added to a stall menu.
Perfect for your event in Patcham
It feeds crew and volunteers well on a long day.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In Patcham, people book us for occasions like:
- Music and food festivals
- Open days and community events
- Race days and sports events
- Farmers’ and Christmas markets
If your event is in Withdean Park, the organiser will need the landowner’s permission; we’ll supply our paperwork.
Questions to ask before you book
- The deadline for final numbers
- What happens if it rains
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Payment terms and deposit
Step by step
On the day, we set up our cooking area, light the burners and start the sofrito. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so we time everything to your schedule. At midsummer, events in Patcham stay light until about 9:20pm, which helps evening trading. Winter markets, dark by about 3:55pm, need a well-lit pitch.
- Send the event name, expected visitors and pitch size.
- You get our stall menu and what we need on site.
- Paperwork goes over in good time.
- We time the first pans for the lunchtime rush.
- At close, we pack down and tidy up.
Getting ready for the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
Getting a price
To get a price, use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Patcham, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Related guides
Why live cooking beats a buffet
If you want a trader that adds atmosphere, paella is a strong choice. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Why us?
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Drinks service on request
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
What’s in the pans
Seafood paella
Seafood paella is always popular.
Giant paella pans
A pan the size of a cartwheel, full of saffron rice, cooking in full view.
- 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