Surrey · England
Paella Catering for Ash Vale events
Planning paella catering in Ash Vale? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Festivals, fairs and school events
Paella catering in Ash Vale
The process
The paella is cooked in giant, shallow pans over gas burners. We need a level, ventilated spot, and we agree where that is before the day. Planning an evening event in Ash Vale? Sunset is around 8:55pm in late May, 9:20pm at midsummer and 7:05pm in late September; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- First, tell us about your event.
- You get a menu and an itemised quote.
- We agree timings, access and the cooking spot.
- We cook live on the day while guests watch.
- It is served straight from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Give us a contact for the day
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
Ask for a quote
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you are ready, use our quote form.
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Paella catering in Ash Vale, cooked live
You can keep it simple or build a full menu: just paella, or paella with tapas, desserts and drinks. We will recommend what fits your event. Whether it is retirement celebrations and garden get-togethers, we will put together a menu of chicken and chorizo paella, vegetable paella and seafood paella.
A place like Ash Vale frequently has a hall, a club or a pub garden nearby; any can work for paella, with permission and somewhere outside to cook. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
Paella compared with other options
A cold buffet is simple but has no theatre, and the food sits out. Paella is cooked live and served hot. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why us?
- A quote that spells everything out
- Catering across Surrey, including Ash Vale
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
See Our prices page Or The cost guide.
More for events in Ash Vale
About the dishes
Mixed paella
Paella mixta combines meat and seafood in one pan.
Paella Valenciana
In Valencia, the recipe is fiercely debated. The classic version is chicken, green beans and butter beans with saffron, and it is a crowd-pleaser.
For event organisers in Ash Vale
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, whether you are a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we’ll talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Your questions about paella catering in Ash Vale
How far is Ash Vale from London?
Roughly 32 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Mary's Church?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
What space do you need to cook?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
Is live paella good for a large crowd?
It’s ideal. Large pans and fast service from the pan make it well suited to crowds.
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.
How many different paellas?
Generally two or three, so every guest has a choice. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
What is live paella catering?
We bring everything needed to cook on site, cook while everyone watches, and serve at the time you want.
Do you provide drinks?
Sangria, yes. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
What affects the price in Ash Vale
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- The paellas you choose
- The number of people
- Whether you need crockery
- How many courses
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. The full price is confirmed before booking.
What we need to know
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- The date and rough timings
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll make suggestions. Start when you’re ready: fill in our quote form.
Occasions we cook for in Ash Vale
People book live paella because it is food and entertainment at once. The pans become a focal point, and the food is hot and generous.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In Ash Vale, people book us for occasions like:
- Milestone birthday parties
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Leaving dos and retirements
Thinking of a picnic-style party in Ramillies Park? Public parks generally need permission from the council or landowner for cooking, so check first.
Before booking anyone
- The deadline for final numbers
- The venue requirements
- The deposit and payment dates
- Whether travel is included
Space, weather and the venue
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but a few things matter:
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegan paella
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Mixed paella
Catering an event in Ash Vale
Ash Vale is about 2 miles north-east of Aldershot, in Surrey. For an event in Ash Vale, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. Ash Vale is one of 395 towns and villages in Surrey where we cook. Our nearest city page is Guildford, about 7 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Wanborough Manor (3.6 miles south-east) and Farnham Castle (4.7 miles south-west). Historic venues often limit cooking, so ask early if you are booking one. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Ash Vale station, about 0.5 miles north.
We cover events in every part of the GU12 and GU14 postcode area and the streets around it. Local streets include Station Road East, Station Road West and Waverley Drive; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. With the B3165 and B3166 close by, Ash Vale is easy for us to reach. For events just outside Ash Vale, we cover Ash (1 mile south), North Camp (1 mile north-west), Mytchett (2 miles north), Ash Green (2 miles south-east) and Aldershot (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Guildford (7 miles east), Woking (7 miles north-east), Camberley (5 miles north), Farnham (5 miles south-west), Egham (14 miles north-east) and Frimley (3 miles north).
Well-known places in the area include Frimley Park Hospital (3.8 miles north) and Farnham Castle (4.7 miles south-west). Not far away are Aunt's Pool and Ash Ranges.
- Local schools include The Wavell School (1.4 miles west)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Swan pub (less than half a mile east)
- Other local spots include National Aerospace Library (2 miles north-west)
- 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