West Sussex · England
Paella Catering for Aldingbourne events
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event for events in Aldingbourne and across West Sussex.
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Leaving dos and retirements
Planning an event in Aldingbourne?
How our paella catering works in Aldingbourne
A single cooking set-up can feed a crowd, very little goes to waste, and the food is served hot. That’s why it works for so many events. Whether it is company summer parties and leaving dos and retirements, we’ll put together a menu of paella Valenciana, vegan paella and chicken and chorizo paella and more.
In a rural place like Aldingbourne, the setting does a lot of the work: a paella cooking in a garden or field feels right at home. Tell us about access and the ground. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, each in a separate pan and clearly labelled.
- Area
- Aldingbourne (PO20)
- County
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
How the day works
The paella is cooked in giant, shallow pans over gas burners. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, which we agree with you beforehand. Around midsummer it stays light in Aldingbourne until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening events are normally served in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 4:00pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- You share your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan the menu with you, including every diet.
- We arrive early to set up the burners and pans.
- The paella cooks as guests gather round.
- Service is straight from the pan, then we pack down.
Preparing for the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Tell us where to park and unload
Ask for a quote
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can fill in our quote form.
Read more
DIY paella versus live catering
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
What affects the price in Aldingbourne
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Timings and hours
- Parking and unloading
The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
What we need to know
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- The venue or postcode
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Diets and allergies you know about
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
Still deciding on the menu? That’s fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
Dietary needs and planning tips
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To make it work smoothly:
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
- Send allergies to us in writing
- Tell us what else is being served
Let the paella rest for a few minutes before serving, which is when we generally call guests over.
Need plates or staff? We can provide them.
Also near Aldingbourne
Also in Aldingbourne
Your questions about paella catering in Aldingbourne
We are having a ceremony at The Parish Church of St Mary: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Which station should guests use for Aldingbourne?
Barnham station, about 2.1 miles east of the centre.
How far ahead should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it is short notice, it’s worth asking.
Can you do sangria?
We can make sangria, and we can staff a bar with your drinks.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Of course. Children frequently love a simple chicken paella. Include children in your numbers.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Can you bring crockery?
We can. Let us know what you have, and we’ll quote for the rest.
How do you work out quantities?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Planning live paella in Aldingbourne
Aldingbourne is about 3 miles north of Bognor Regis, in West Sussex. Across the PO20 area, we can bring the pans to you. Aldingbourne is one of 371 places in West Sussex where we cook. Our events stretch from Aldingbourne to Brighton (24 miles away).
If you’re celebrating after a service at a church like The Parish Church of St Mary, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. Nearby historic houses include Goodwood House (3.2 miles north-west). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early. Aldingbourne is within about 8 miles of the South Downs National Park, and country venues and gardens there suit live paella perfectly. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours. The coast is within about 4 miles of Aldingbourne, and seafood paella always feels right near the sea. Sea breezes can be strong, so we plan a sheltered cooking spot.
Wherever your event is in PO20, we can cook for your guests. Local streets include Hook Lane and Park Lane; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Close by, we cover events in Nyton (1 mile east), Norton (1 mile north), Westergate (1 mile east), East Hampnett (1 mile north-west) and Crockerhill (1 mile north). We also cook in nearby towns such as Worthing (13 miles east), Bognor Regis (3 miles south), Chichester (4 miles west), Selsey (9 miles south-west), Littlehampton (7 miles east) and Emsworth (11 miles west).
Well-known places in the area include The Chichester City Museum (3.9 miles west) and Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital (3.3 miles south).
- Local schools include Ormiston Six Villages Academy (1 mile east)
Perfect for your event in Aldingbourne
Paella is one of the few dishes that handles mixed diets easily, thanks to separate pans for each version. Nobody gets a token ‘special meal’.
Whatever you’re celebrating in Aldingbourne, paella can be the star of the food. We frequently cook for:
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Engagement and anniversary parties
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Aldingbourne Primary School, can book us as a food stall.
Before you book anyone
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Allergen information for each dish
- Whether VAT is included
- When final numbers are due
Why choose live paella in Aldingbourne?
Food trucks and street-food vans serve one portion at a time. A paella pan serves many portions quickly, which suits weddings and parties where everyone eats together. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Why us?
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- We cover Aldingbourne and the whole of West Sussex
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
Read How we price And What paella catering costs.
About the dishes
Seafood paella
A rich seafood stock with prawns, mussels and squid, cooked until the rice is golden. It is generally the most photographed pan.
Black rice
Black rice looks dramatic and tastes of the sea, and is popular with adventurous guests.
Planners, venues and businesses
Hosting a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
- 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