Hampshire · England
Festival & event paella in Pilley, Hampshire
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 Pilley.
- Sports club events
- Charity and school events
- Farmers’ and Christmas markets
Planning an event in Pilley?
Community events around Pilley
Pilley is about 2 miles north of Lymington, in Hampshire. Give us the address of your event in Pilley, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up before the day. Pilley is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire where we cook. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 11 miles away.
Running a fête for a church like Saint Nicholas Chapel? A paella pan draws people in. For visitors coming by rail, Lymington Town station is about 1.5 miles away. Events in and around the New Forest National Park, within about 3 miles of Pilley, often have rules about vehicles, ground and waste; we work to the site rules. The coast is within about 3 miles of Pilley, so for seaside events we plan a sheltered pitch, and seafood paella sells well by the sea.
We cook at events all over the SO41 postcode area and the streets around it. From Pilley Street, Burnt House Lane and May Lane or anywhere nearby, we will bring the pans to you. We also cook at events in Pilley Bailey (1 mile north-east), Warborne (1 mile south-west), Bull Hill (1 mile east), Portmore (1 mile south-east) and Boldre (1 mile west). Within a short drive, we also cover Eastleigh (15 miles north-east), Fareham (15 miles east), Totton (9 miles north), Chandler's Ford (15 miles north-east), Hedge End (14 miles north-east) and Romsey (15 miles north).
Well-known places in the area include St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery (1.7 miles south) and Lymington New Forest Hospital (1.1 miles south-west). Open spaces near Pilley include Boldre Foreshore.
- Nearby schools include Southlands School (0.6 miles south-west) and Priestlands School (2.3 miles south-west)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Red Lion Inn (0.7 miles west)
How our festival paella catering works in Pilley
Nothing draws a festival crowd like a giant paella. People follow the smell, and service from the pan is fast. We’re often asked to cater village fêtes and charity and school events, serving churros, giant-pan paella and chicken and chorizo paella.
At a field event near Pilley, power and water may be limited; let us know and we will plan for it. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
Pilley: your questions answered
Which station should guests use for Pilley?
Lymington Town station, about 1.5 miles south of the centre.
Do you come out to small places like Pilley?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
When do you arrive?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Where do you cater?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
When should we book?
The sooner the better. Popular dates book up first, so it pays to ask early.
Can you serve drinks?
Sangria can be added, and we can staff a bar with your drinks.
Is halal food available?
Yes, we do. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in a separate pan.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three covers most guests. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
Why choose live paella in Pilley?
Most stalls cook to order. Paella is cooked in big batches and served from the pan, keeping queues short. 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.
Why choose Love Paella in Pilley
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Events in Pilley and across Hampshire
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
Catering for every guest
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Check every diet is covered by the line-up
- Feed crew and volunteers at set times
- Ask traders about serving speed at peak times
- Provide seating near the food
Allergen information is available at the stall, and each pan is labelled.
Bowls and forks for eating on the go.
How we price festival paella catering
We’ll give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- How many staff you need
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Distance and access to the venue
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
The cost per head normally falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Details that help
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- What the venue already provides
- 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, fill in our quote form.
What we need at the venue
We will agree the cooking spot with you before the day. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Vehicle access before and after the event
- Your arrangements for power, water and waste
- Flat, firm ground
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
On the menu in Pilley
- Giant paella pans
- Churros
- Vegan paella
- Tapas
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
Should I cook it myself?
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’ll do the cooking.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
The menu, dish by dish
Chicken & chorizo paella
Smoky and filling.
Vegan paella
A proper vegan main, in its own pan.
How it works
Watching it cook is half the fun. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring while your guests chat. For an evening event in Pilley, sunset is about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June; after dark, we need a lit pitch.
- Tell us about the event and pitch.
- We send our menu, needs and paperwork.
- We set up on time.
- We cook in full view and serve all event.
- We clear and leave the pitch clean.
Getting ready for the day
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
How to get a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
Planning help
Planners, venues and businesses
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
If you are planning an event on someone’s behalf, whether you are a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
Places near Pilley
Also in Pilley
- 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