West Sussex · England
Festival Paella Catering in Small Dole
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Small Dole. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, then served hot from the pan.
- Village fêtes and summer fairs
- Festivals
- VIP and hospitality areas
Planning an event in Small Dole?
Occasions we cook for in Small Dole
It feeds crew and volunteers well on a long day.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in Small Dole book us for events such as:
- Music and food festivals
- Feeding crew and volunteers
- Summer fairs and fêtes
- County and country shows
For visitors coming by rail, the nearest station is Shoreham-By-Sea station, about 4.8 miles south.
Questions to ask before booking
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- How bad weather is handled
- The deadline for final numbers
- What the price includes, item by item
Festival paella catering in Small Dole, made fresh on the day
Because paella is cooked in big batches, it handles lunchtime rushes well. Each portion takes seconds to serve. We cook churros, giant-pan paella and chicken and chorizo paella, and we are regularly asked to cater VIP and hospitality areas and christmas and farmers’ markets.
For a village fête or field event near Small Dole, a paella stall brings a hot, filling meal to a rural site. Ground conditions and access matter, so tell us about them. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
- Where
- Small Dole (BN5)
- County
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Event catering near Small Dole
Small Dole is about 5 miles north of Shoreham-by-Sea, in West Sussex. Whether your event is in the middle of Small Dole or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Small Dole is one of 371 places in West Sussex we cover. We cook right across the region, from Small Dole to Brighton (about 8 miles away).
If your event is in Tottington Wood, the organiser will need the landowner’s permission; we will supply our paperwork. Within about 7 miles is the South Downs National Park, where events may have extra rules on vehicles and waste; we work to the site rules. With the sea within about 6 miles, we plan shelter from the wind for coastal events.
Festival paella catering in BN5 is planned around your venue and your guests. Streets in the area include Downsview, Tottington Drive and Orchard Close, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Nearby, we also cater events in Woodmancote (2 miles north-east), Henfield (2 miles north), Blackstone (2 miles north-east), Albourne (3 miles north-east) and High Cross (3 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (15 miles north), Horsham (11 miles north), Worthing (8 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (10 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (7 miles north-east) and Littlehampton (13 miles south-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Southlands Hospital (4.4 miles south) and Steyning Museum (2.6 miles south-west). Open spaces near Small Dole include Woods Mill and Truleigh Hill.
Small Dole questions
Can you cook at venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will work to whatever the site needs.
Is Small Dole close to London?
About 42 miles from central London.
Can you cook in the rain?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We’ll agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Can you bring crockery?
If you need them, yes. Proper crockery or quality disposables can be added to your booking.
When do you arrive?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance so the paella is ready when you want it.
Which areas do you serve?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Small Dole.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Courtyards, doorways and terraces frequently work.
Do you do starters?
Yes, it is the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Places near Small Dole
Also in Small Dole
How it works
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you’re free to enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first as the rice is cooking. At midsummer, events in Small Dole stay light until about 9:20pm, so evening trading usually finishes in daylight in high summer. For winter markets, dark by about 3:55pm, the pitch needs lighting.
- It starts with your event details and pitch information.
- We confirm our menu, pitch needs and documents.
- We arrive at the agreed time to set up the pitch.
- The paella cooks in full view, and we serve from the pan through the event.
- At the end, we clear our pitch.
Getting ready for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
How to get a price
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. 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 enjoy the party, let us cook.
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. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Prices and what affects them
We’ll give you a clear, itemised quote. What affects it most:
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Distance and access to the venue
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Getting an accurate quote
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Expected numbers
- Where the event is
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will make suggestions. Start when you are ready: use our quote form.
Dishes our guests love
Seafood paella
Seafood paella is always popular.
Chicken & chorizo paella
A crowd-pleaser for meat eaters.
Organising for someone else?
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Paella compared with other options
For crew catering, sandwiches are easy but uninspiring. A hot meal keeps crew happy. The cost per head normally falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why book with us
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- A clear, itemised quote
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
See Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
Space, weather and the venue
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- A pitch big enough for the pans, burners and serving table
- A pitch away from tents and structures
- Access for unloading at set-up
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
On the menu in Small Dole
- Tapas
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegan paella
- Seafood paella
- Churros
- Giant paella pans
- 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