Hampshire · England
Paella Catering for Alton events
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event for events in Alton and across Hampshire.
- Garden get-togethers
- Birthday celebrations
- Community events and fairs
Paella catering near Alton
Paella catering in Alton, cooked live
Watching it cook is part of the experience. People drift over as the sofrito sizzles and the rice turns gold, and the aroma does the rest. For weddings and evening receptions and garden parties and summer barbecues, we can cook seafood paella, mixed paella and chicken and chorizo paella and more.
In Alton, gardens come in all sizes, and most can work for live paella. A gazebo over the cooking spot covers you for rain. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
Organising for someone else?
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
Space, weather and the venue
If a space isn’t suitable, we’ll tell you, and help find another spot. The main points are:
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
On the menu in Alton
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegan paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Seafood paella
- Mixed paella
What affects the price in Alton
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, depending on:
- The number of people
- How many courses
- Your choice of paellas
- Distance and access to the venue
There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
Getting an accurate quote
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Try to include:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The date and time of the event
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The venue or postcode
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Diets, allergies and planning
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. Our advice:
- Mention any other courses or food
- Give us separate numbers for children
- Have seats for most of your guests
- Ask about diets and allergies on your invitation or RSVP
On the day, you shouldn’t have to think about the food. We arrive in good time, set up, cook and serve, and keep in touch with you or your venue about timings.
Bread, salad and lemon wedges make the meal go further.
A closer look at the menu
Mixed paella
Paella mixta combines meat and seafood in one pan.
Seafood paella
Seafood paella starts with a good fish and shellfish stock. The shellfish is added late so it stays tender.
Live paella in Alton: local details
Alton is about 10 miles south-east of Basingstoke, in Hampshire. Give us the address of your event in Alton, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up before the day. Alton is one of 683 places in Hampshire we cover. Our nearest city page is Guildford, about 19 miles away.
Historic houses near Alton include Bentworth Hall (3.2 miles west) and Hall Place (3.4 miles west). Historic venues frequently limit cooking, so ask early if you’re booking one. If you’re celebrating after a service at a church like Church of St Lawrence, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well.
This part of Hampshire takes in GU34, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. Your event could be at a home on High Street, Station Road and Goswell Square or the roads around them. You will find Alton on the A339 and B3004, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. If your venue is just outside Alton, we also cover Chawton (1 mile south-west), Holybourne (2 miles north-east), Neatham (2 miles north-east), East Worldham (2 miles south-east) and Golden Pot (2 miles north). We also cook in nearby towns such as Basingstoke (10 miles north-west), Farnborough (13 miles north-east), Fleet (10 miles north-east), Aldershot (11 miles north-east), Petersfield (10 miles south) and Yateley (14 miles north-east).
Nearby you’ll also find Allen Gallery (within half a mile east) and Alton Community Hospital (0.9 miles south-west). Open spaces near Alton include Holybourne Hill.
- Nearby schools include Amery Hill School (less than half a mile north-west) and Treloar School (1.2 miles north-east)
- Local pubs include The 'Baker's Arms' Public House (within half a mile south-east)
Why choose live paella in Alton?
With a barbecue, food comes in waves. Paella is ready all at once, so everyone eats together. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
What you get with us
- A quote that spells everything out
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Fast service from the pan
Take a look at Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
The process
When the rice goes in, it’s left alone. That is what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. Your guests will smell it before they see it. Around midsummer it stays light in Alton until about 9:25pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening events are generally served in daylight. In December it is dark by about 4:00pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- Send us your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan a menu that covers every diet.
- We arrive early to set up the burners and pans.
- The sofrito, stock and rice go in, and guests gather to watch.
- Service is straight from the pan, then we pack down.
Preparing for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Let us know the timings for the day
Getting a price
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
Read more
Should I cook it myself?
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and do not stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
Common questions in Alton
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Lawrence?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
What’s the nearest station to Alton for guests?
Alton station, in Alton itself.
Are premium seafood options available?
We will suggest seafood to suit your menu and budget. Premium shellfish can be added.
Can paella be the only main course?
Paella is a meal in itself. Many hosts add tapas first or dessert after.
What areas do you cover?
We cover London and the South East, including Hampshire. See all areas.
How much does paella catering cost in Alton?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
Yes, on request. Proper crockery or quality disposables are available.
What if the weather’s bad?
We cook under cover, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We will agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Nearby places to Alton
What else we do in Alton
- 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