Hampshire · England
Festival Paella Catering in Thorns Beach
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: paella street food for festivals, fairs, markets and community events in Thorns Beach and the surrounding area.
- Country shows
- Sports clubs and race days
- VIP and hospitality areas
Planning an event in Thorns Beach?
Festival paella catering in Thorns Beach, made fresh on the day
Paella eats well from a bowl with a fork, on the move or on a picnic rug. Whether it is open days and christmas and farmers’ markets, we can cook vegan paella, giant-pan paella and chicken and chorizo paella for your guests.
At a fête or field event near Thorns Beach, a paella stall brings a hot, filling meal to a rural site. Tell us about the ground and access. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, with each paella cooked in its own pan and clearly labelled.
Community events around Thorns Beach
Thorns Beach is about 5 miles east of Lymington, in Hampshire. For an event in Thorns Beach, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices in and around Thorns Beach. We cook in all 683 towns and villages across Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 11 miles away.
Within about 4 miles is the New Forest National Park, where events may have extra rules on vehicles and waste; we will follow the site’s requirements. The coast is within about 5 miles of Thorns Beach, so for seaside events we plan a sheltered pitch.
We cater events across SO42 and the streets around it. Other places close to Thorns Beach for festival paella catering include East End (2 miles west), Norleywood (3 miles west), Hamstead (3 miles south), Cranmore (4 miles south) and Bouldnor (4 miles south). We also cook in nearby towns such as Gosport (13 miles east), Eastleigh (15 miles north), Fareham (12 miles north-east), Totton (11 miles north), Chandler's Ford (15 miles north) and Hedge End (12 miles north-east).
Nearby you’ll also find Yarmouth Castle (4.8 miles south-west) and Beaulieu Abbey And Display Of Monastic Life (4 miles north). Not far away are Boldre Foreshore.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Catering for every guest
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Check allergen info is on display
- Check traders’ packaging and waste plans
- Give traders a single information pack
- Feed crew and volunteers at set times
Allergen information is available at the stall.
Larger pans for peak times.
Also in Thorns Beach
Organising for someone else?
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so guests are fed quickly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Is live paella right for your event?
Not every trader covers vegans. A paella stall can have a vegan pan alongside the rest. 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 Thorns Beach hosts choose us
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- We cover Thorns Beach and the whole of Hampshire
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
Take a look at Our prices page And What paella catering costs.
Prices and what affects them
We will give you a clear, itemised quote. What affects it most:
- Your choice of paellas
- Waiting and bar staff
- The length of service
- Guest numbers
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
What to tell us
When you contact us, it helps to tell us:
- Your date and when you want to eat
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The venue or postcode
To get a price, use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Thorns Beach, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.
How the day works
Expect a friendly, organised team. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up the pans and burners, and cook and serve without fuss. For an evening event in Thorns Beach, sunset is about 8:55pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June; after dark, we need a lit pitch.
- First, we check the dates.
- We agree what we will serve and where.
- We set up our burners and pans.
- The first pans are ready as visitors arrive.
- We serve, then clear the pitch at the end.
How to prepare
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
How to get a price
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, use our quote form.
Planning help
A closer look at the menu
Vegan paella
A proper vegan main, in its own pan.
Giant paella pans
It is the huge pan people come to see.
Where we can cook in Thorns Beach
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- Trader information and site rules
- Vehicle access to the pitch at set-up and break-down
- Clear information on power, water and waste
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Giant paella pans
- Tapas
- Seafood paella
- Churros
Questions from Thorns Beach
What’s the nearest station to Thorns Beach for guests?
Lymington Pier station, about 3.9 miles west of the centre.
Do you cater in the New Forest National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll follow the site rules.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Of course. Children often love a simple chicken paella. Include children in your numbers.
How far ahead should we book?
The sooner the better. Popular dates book up first, so get in touch early.
Can vegans eat at your stall?
Absolutely. Vegan paella is cooked in its own pan.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we’ll check with you and the venue.
Can you trade at our festival or fair?
Tell us about the event, dates and pitch, and we will check availability.
Can you handle a lunchtime rush?
Big batches and service from the pan keep things moving.
- 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