Hampshire · England
Paella Catering in Abshot
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event makes the food a highlight of your event in Abshot.
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Big birthdays
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
Paella catering in Abshot
Paella catering in Abshot, made fresh on the day
We cook every paella from scratch on the day, beginning with a sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, followed by stock, saffron and rice. Popular choices include mixed paella, seafood paella and chicken and chorizo paella, and we are frequently booked for naming days and family parties and big birthdays.
For a rural spot like Abshot, the countryside is part of the appeal: a giant pan in a garden or field fits perfectly. Tell us about access and the ground. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in a separate pan.
Paella compared with other options
Plated meals need a kitchen and a bigger team. Live paella needs a level, ventilated spot and the venue’s permission to cook, and it is entertaining too. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Why us?
- A clear, itemised quote
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Sangria and bar staff available
Read How we price Or The cost guide.
DIY paella versus live catering
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Perfect for your event in Abshot
Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets, which is why it works for so many occasions. It also gives guests something to watch and talk about.
Whatever the occasion, live paella can be the centrepiece. We regularly cater:
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Retirement celebrations
- Weddings and evening receptions
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Swanwick station, about 2 miles north.
Before you book anyone
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Staff numbers and hours
- Whether travel is included
- How each diet is kept separate
Planning for every diet
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Here’s how:
- Tell us what else is being served
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
- Collect dietary needs with your RSVPs
- Plan seating for most guests: paella is easiest eaten sitting down
Any staff you book serve and clear, so you can relax.
Add canapé tapas with the drinks or table tapas as a starter as the rice cooks.
Nearby places to Abshot
More for events in Abshot
Questions from Abshot
Which station should guests use for Abshot?
Swanwick station, about 2 miles north of the centre.
Can you cook near the sea around Abshot?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
Do you cater for young children?
Of course. Children frequently love a simple chicken paella. Include children in your numbers.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
Can you cook in the rain?
We cook under cover, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Do you cover Abshot?
Yes. We cover London and the South East, and Abshot is within our area. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
What seafood can we have?
Seafood choices are agreed when we plan the menu, including premium options if you want them.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
About the dishes
Mixed paella
A mix of chicken and seafood, and a popular all-rounder.
Vegetable and vegan paella
The vegetable pan is a dish in its own right: artichokes, beans, peppers and saffron, cooked in its own pan.
What paella catering costs
The price comes down to a few factors:
- How many staff you need
- Travel, parking and access
- How long we’re needed on site
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
Larger events typically cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
What to tell us
To check availability and price, we need:
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Anything your venue supplies
- A photo of the space, if you can
- The date and time of the event
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Abshot: venues, travel and local tips
Abshot is about 3 miles west of Fareham, in Hampshire. For paella catering in Abshot, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Abshot. Abshot is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire where we cook. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 7 miles away.
If you’re celebrating after a service at a church like St John, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Locks Heath Infant School, can book us as a food stall. Abshot is within about 3 miles of the sea, and seafood paella always feels right near the sea. Sea breezes can be strong, so we plan a sheltered cooking spot.
We cater events across PO14 and the streets around it. If your venue is just outside Abshot, we also cover Hook (1 mile west), Titchfield Common (1 mile north-east), Locks Heath (1 mile north), Warsash (1 mile north-west) and Titchfield (1 mile east). Larger places within reach include Winchester (15 miles north), Gosport (6 miles south-east), Havant (12 miles east), Eastleigh (9 miles north), Fareham (3 miles east) and Horndean (12 miles east).
Nearby you’ll also find Fareham Community Hospital (1.7 miles north) and Carron Row Farm Museum (1.7 miles north-east). Not far away are Holly Hill Woodland Park.
- Schools near Abshot include Brookfield Community School and Language College (1.5 miles north-west)
- Nearby, you will find Jolly Farmer Public House (0.7 miles north-west)
How it works
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you can enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first while the paella cooks. Around midsummer it stays light in Abshot until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:10pm, so summer evening events are normally served in daylight. For winter events, when it is dark by about 4:00pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- First, tell us about your event.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a clear quote.
- Timings, access and the cooking area are agreed in advance.
- We cook live on the day while guests watch.
- It’s served straight from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Give us a contact for the day
Get a quote
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, along with any dietary needs, and we will reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
For event organisers in Abshot
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will talk you through the process. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Throwing a party at home? Send us a photo of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
- 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