Hampshire · England
Live paella catering in Ashurst, Hampshire
Planning paella catering in Ashurst? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Weddings and evening receptions
Paella catering near Ashurst
Should I cook it myself?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Paella catering in Ashurst, made fresh on the day
There’s something generous about paella: huge pans, saffron colour and a toasted crust that everyone fights over. It turns a meal into an occasion. Typical bookings include christenings and family gatherings and weddings, from canapés to evening food, with black rice, chicken and chorizo paella and mixed paella.
In a small place like Ashurst, events are generally in a garden, a field or a nearby hall. Country lanes and long drives are no problem if we know about them, and a firm spot near where we park makes set-up easier. You’ll know exactly what’s included before you book: the menu, the staff and any extras.
Occasions we cook for in Ashurst
It is ideal for relaxed, sociable occasions, where guests can mingle while it cooks before sitting down to eat.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In Ashurst, people book us for occasions like:
- Festivals, fairs and school events
- Naming days and family parties
- Milestone birthday parties
- Company summer parties
For a christening or wedding at a church such as Colbury Christ Church, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone.
What to look for in a quote
- How long the team stays
- When payment is due
- What the price includes, item by item
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
Ashurst: venues, travel and local tips
Ashurst is about 2 miles south of Totton, in Hampshire. From the centre of Ashurst to the outskirts, we offer the same service: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cater in all 683 towns and villages across Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Ashurst to Southampton (6 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Southampton Tudor House and Garden (4.8 miles east) and Medieval Merchant's House (4.9 miles east). Historic venues frequently limit cooking, so ask early if you are booking one. For guests coming by train, Ashurst New Forest station is about 0.7 miles away. Ashurst is within about 4 miles of the New Forest 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 6 miles of Ashurst, so a seafood pan is a popular choice. Coastal wind means we plan a sheltered spot.
Anywhere in SO40, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Your event could be at a home on Ash Grove, Cecil Avenue and Dene Road. Nearby, we also cater events in Colbury (1 mile east), Lyndhurst (3 miles south-west), Emery Down (4 miles south-west), Balmerlawn (5 miles south) and Brockenhurst (6 miles south-west). Further out, we also cater in Winchester (14 miles north-east), Eastleigh (9 miles north-east), Fareham (14 miles east), Chandler's Ford (8 miles north-east), Hedge End (9 miles east) and Lymington (10 miles south).
Other landmarks nearby include Ashurst Hospital (0.6 miles south-west) and National Dairy Museum (0.5 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Testwood Lakes.
- Schools near Ashurst include Hounsdown School (1.2 miles north-east)
- Local pubs include The Forest Inn (less than half a mile south-east)
Questions from Ashurst
Which station should guests use for Ashurst?
Ashurst New Forest station, about 0.7 miles south-west of the centre.
Is Ashurst too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Which areas do you serve?
We cover London and the South East, including Hampshire. See all areas.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
Is live paella good for a large crowd?
Yes. Big pans feed a lot of people, and service from the pan is quick.
What happens with live paella?
We arrive with pans, burners and ingredients, cook in front of your guests, and serve at the time you want.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Of course. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, served while the paella cooks.
What seafood can we have?
We will suggest seafood to suit your menu and budget. Premium shellfish can be added.
Places near Ashurst
What else we do in Ashurst
How the day works
Here’s how the day typically runs: we arrive, set up and start cooking, your guests watch the rice cook, and it’s served hot from the pan at the agreed time. Around midsummer it stays light in Ashurst until about 9:25pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:10pm, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. For winter events, when it’s dark by about 4:00pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- Send us 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.
How to prepare
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Getting a price
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, use our quote form.
Read more
What affects the price in Ashurst
We’ll give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- Timings and hours
- How many staff you need
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Whether you need crockery
Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
What to tell us
To check availability and price, we need:
- Which courses you have in mind
- What the venue already provides
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Your date and when you want to eat
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you’re ready, use our quote form.
Space, weather and the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- Somewhere close to park and unload
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
Popular choices
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Seafood paella
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Vans serve one order at a time. A paella pan serves many portions quickly, which suits weddings and parties where everyone eats together. There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Why book with us
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- A clear, itemised quote
Take a look at Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Organising for someone else?
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
If you are organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we are happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Catering for every guest
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To get it right:
- Tell us what else is being served
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
- Count adults and children separately
- Ensure each pan is labelled
Paella is best eaten as soon as it’s ready, so we serve when guests are ready.
Finish with churros, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago.
- 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