Hampshire · England
Festival Paella Catering in The Mint
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in The Mint. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- VIP and hospitality areas
- Village fêtes
- Race days and sports events
Planning an event in The Mint?
About our festival paella catering in The Mint
Organisers can book us as a stall or as caterers for staff, crew, volunteers or VIP areas. We are often asked to cater festivals and VIP and hospitality areas, serving giant-pan paella, chicken and chorizo paella and seafood paella.
At a field event near The Mint, power and water may be limited; let us know and we will plan for it. We serve straight from the pan, so it is hot and generous, and service is quick once it’s ready.
Fairs, fêtes and events in The Mint
The Mint is about 4 miles north-east of Petersfield, in Hampshire. Tell us where your event in The Mint will be, and we’ll plan access and set-up before the day. We cater in all 683 towns and villages across Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 19 miles away.
Running a fête for a church like Hope Church? A paella pan draws people in. For visitors coming by rail, the nearest station is Liss station, about 0.8 miles south-west. Within about 5 miles is the South Downs National Park, where events may have extra rules on vehicles and waste; we will follow the site’s requirements.
This part of Hampshire takes in GU33. Nearby, we also cater events in Liss Forest (1 mile north-west), Liss (1 mile south-west), Rake (1 mile south-east), West Liss (1 mile south-west) and Hill Brow (1 mile south). We also cook in nearby towns such as Havant (14 miles south), Horndean (11 miles south-west), Aldershot (14 miles north), Alton (8 miles north-west), Waterlooville (13 miles south-west) and Petersfield (4 miles south-west).
Well-known places in the area include Chase Community Hospital (3.9 miles north). Open spaces near The Mint include Liss Riverside Railway Walk North and Wheatham Hill.
- Nearby, you will find The Temple Inn (within half a mile north-west)
What affects the price in The Mint
We will give you a clear, itemised quote. What affects it most:
- Travel, parking and access
- Waiting and bar staff
- Guest numbers
- Timings and hours
The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Getting an accurate quote
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- Where the event is
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Anything your venue supplies
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
Planning the cooking area
Before the day, we will agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- A pitch big enough for the pans, burners and serving table
- Spacing from tents and other structures
- Firm, level ground
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think before you book.
What we offer
- Tapas
- Vegan paella
- Giant paella pans
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Churros
- Seafood paella
For planners, venues and organisers
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Burger and hot dog stalls are familiar but similar. Paella adds something different in a food line-up. The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
Why us?
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
About the dishes
Giant paella pans
Huge pans of golden rice.
Seafood paella
The seafood pan is a festival favourite.
How the day works
Here’s how the day generally runs: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, your guests watch the rice cook, and we serve straight from the pan at the agreed time. Evening events in The Mint have light until about 9:20pm at midsummer; after dark, we need a lit pitch.
- We check your dates.
- We agree menu and pitch.
- Burners and pans go up.
- The first pans are ready as visitors arrive.
- We serve, then pack down.
Before we arrive
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Share the running order, including any speeches
Get a quote
Not sure what you need yet? That’s fine: give us the basics about your event, and we will make suggestions. To start, use our quote form.
Related guides
Questions from The Mint
Which station should guests use for The Mint?
The closest is Liss station, roughly 0.8 miles away.
Is The Mint too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
What do you need at the pitch?
Send pitch details and we will confirm.
How soon do we need to book?
As soon as you have a date. Popular dates book up first, so it pays to ask early.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, because we use gas burners. We will check whether your venue has a suitable space.
What paperwork do you provide?
Send us your list and we’ll respond.
How quickly can you serve?
Service from the pan is fast, which suits busy periods.
Will there be enough food?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
DIY paella versus live catering
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and do not stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Planning for every diet
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To make it work smoothly:
- Plan seating near the food area
- Plan for vegan and gluten-free visitors
- Send traders one clear trader pack
- Check allergen info is on display
We set up at the agreed time.
Bowls and forks for eating on the go.
Also near The Mint
Other catering in The Mint
- 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