West Sussex · England
Live paella catering in Ansty, West Sussex
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in Ansty. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Festivals, fairs and school events
Book paella catering in Ansty
About our paella catering in Ansty
There is something generous about paella: giant pans, saffron colour and a toasted crust that everyone fights over. It turns a meal into an occasion. Whether it is retirement celebrations and garden parties and summer barbecues, we can cook black rice, paella Valenciana and vegan paella and more.
Somewhere like Ansty, a field or garden is frequently the perfect setting. Mention gates and soft ground when you get in touch. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, each in a separate pan.
- Location
- Ansty (RH17)
- County
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Before you choose a spot
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Somewhere close to park and unload
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Menu ideas
- Paella Valenciana
- Mixed paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
Planning live paella in Ansty
Ansty is about 3 miles west of Haywards Heath, in West Sussex. Events in Ansty are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cover 371 places across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Ansty to Brighton (11 miles away).
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Warden Park School, can book us as a food stall. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Haywards Heath station, about 2.6 miles east. The South Downs National Park is within about 6 miles of Ansty. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
Paella catering in RH17 is planned around your venue and timings. Streets in the area include Upton Drive, Bolney Road and Deaks Paddock, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Abbotsford (2 miles south-east), Goddards Green (2 miles south), Hickstead (2 miles south-west), Jacob's Post (3 miles south-east) and World's End (3 miles south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Crawley (8 miles north), Horsham (8 miles north-west), Haywards Heath (3 miles east), East Grinstead (11 miles north-east), Shoreham-by-Sea (12 miles south-west) and Lancing (13 miles south-west).
A little further out are The Dene Hospital (2 miles south) and Cuckfield Museum (1.3 miles north-east). Open spaces near Ansty include Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow.
What happens on the day
Watching it cook is half the fun. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook. In Ansty, the sun sets at about 9:20pm in late June and about 7:05pm in late September, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. For winter events, when it’s dark by about 3:55pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- First, tell us about your event.
- You get a menu and an itemised quote.
- Timings, access and the cooking area are agreed in advance.
- On the day, we set up and cook in front of your guests.
- We serve from the pan, then pack down.
Preparing for the day
- Give us a contact for the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
Get a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Occasions we cook for in Ansty
Live paella is food and a show in one. The pans become a focal point, and the food is hot and generous.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in Ansty book us for events such as:
- Anniversary celebrations
- Retirement celebrations
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
If you are celebrating after a service at a church like St John the Evangelist, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well.
What to look for in a quote
- A clear list of what’s included
- Allergen information for each dish
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
Dietary needs and planning tips
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Here’s how:
- Mention any other courses or food
- Choose two or three paellas so every guest has a choice
- Make sure most guests can sit to eat
- Flag any coeliac guests, not just gluten-free preferences
Paella is best eaten as soon as it’s ready, so we plan service for when guests are ready to eat.
Tapas or canapés make a good start as the rice cooks.
What paella catering costs
Every event is priced individually, and the price depends on a few things:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Travel, parking and access
- Timings and hours
- Waiting and bar staff
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What to tell us
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The date and rough timings
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The address or venue name
The quickest way to a quote is to fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
For planners, venues and organisers
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Ansty? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will explain how it works. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Other catering in Ansty
FAQs for Ansty
How far is Ansty from London?
Roughly 35 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St John the Evangelist?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Who clears up?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
How much is live paella catering?
We quote for each event, based on what you actually want. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas and we’ll reply with a price.
Do we need to provide equipment?
Pans, burners and ingredients all come with us. You just need a suitable spot and access.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Children are welcome. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we will plan for them.
Is live paella good for a large crowd?
Yes. Large pans and fast service from the pan make it well suited to crowds.
Which paella is most popular?
It depends on your guests. Chicken and mixed paellas tend to go first, with seafood and vegetable pans alongside.
Should I cook it myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
With a barbecue, food comes in waves. Paella is cooked as one big dish and served together. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We’ll send you a quote.
What you get with us
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- A quote that spells everything out
Take a look at Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
- 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