Hampshire · England
Paella Catering in Carter's Clay
Paella for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Carter's Clay.
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
Planning an event in Carter's Clay?
Carter's Clay questions
Is Carter's Clay too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
What’s the nearest station to Carter's Clay for guests?
Mottisfont & Dunbridge station, about 1.2 miles north-east of the centre.
Which paellas do you recommend?
That depends on who’s coming. A chicken or mixed paella is typically the most popular, alongside seafood and vegetable or vegan pans.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Of course. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans.
Do you do desserts?
Yes. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
Yes, on request. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables are available.
When do you arrive?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
How much space do you need?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
How our paella catering works in Carter's Clay
Two or three pans side by side cover every guest: meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan paellas. Each is cooked separately, so diets are easy to manage. Popular choices include paella Valenciana, chicken and chorizo paella and seafood paella, and we are often booked for engagement and anniversary parties and birthday celebrations.
Somewhere as small as Carter's Clay, a garden or field is frequently the venue. Tell us about narrow lanes or long drives and we’ll plan for them, and a firm spot near where we park makes set-up easier. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, with each paella cooked in its own pan and clearly labelled.
Before you choose a spot
If a space is not suitable, we will tell you, and suggest an alternative. The main points are:
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in Carter's Clay
- Seafood paella
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegan paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Mixed paella
Towns and villages near Carter's Clay
Other catering in Carter's Clay
Catering an event in Carter's Clay
Carter's Clay is about 4 miles north-west of Romsey, in Hampshire. Wherever your event is in the SO51 area, we can cook for your guests. We cater in all 683 towns and villages in Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Carter's Clay to Southampton (about 10 miles away).
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Awbridge Primary School, can book us as a food stall. Historic houses near Carter's Clay include Mottisfont Abbey (1.9 miles north-east) and Landford Manor (3.9 miles south-west). Historic venues frequently limit cooking, so ask early if you are booking one.
Anywhere in SO51, we can bring paella catering to you. Streets in the area include The Banks and Carter's Clay Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Nearby, we also cater events in Lockerley (1 mile north-west), Awbridge (1 mile south-east), Dunbridge (1 mile north-east), Kimbridge (2 miles north-east) and Sherfield English (2 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Winchester (11 miles east), Eastleigh (10 miles east), Andover (14 miles north), Totton (7 miles south), Chandler's Ford (8 miles east) and Hedge End (13 miles south-east).
Nearby you will also find Romsey Community Hospital (4 miles south-east) and King Johns House (3.4 miles south-east).
- Nearby, you will find Kings Arms Public House (0.9 miles north-west)
What’s in the pans
Seafood paella
Seafood paella starts with a good fish and shellfish stock. The shellfish is added late so it stays tender.
Mixed paella
Mixed paella brings meat and seafood together.
For event organisers in Carter's Clay
Throwing a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Why choose paella catering in Carter's Clay?
Live paella is made for outdoor events: cooked outside, served hot and shared.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Garden get-togethers
- Festivals, fairs and school events
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Leaving dos and retirements
For guests coming by train, Mottisfont & Dunbridge station is about 1.2 miles away.
Comparing caterers
- Staff numbers and hours
- How each diet is kept separate
- VAT, if it applies
- How late numbers can change
How we price paella catering
We’ll give you a clear, itemised quote. What affects it most:
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Guest numbers
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Travel, parking and access
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Getting an accurate quote
To check availability and price, we need:
- Which courses you have in mind
- What the venue already provides
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- The venue or postcode
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Diets, allergies and planning
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Tell us about coeliac guests specifically
- Pick a mix of paellas to cover every diet
- Count adults and children separately
On the day, you shouldn’t have to think about the food. We arrive in good time, set up, cook and serve, and stay in touch with your venue about timings.
Bread, salad and lemon wedges make the meal go further.
How it works
A typical event goes like this: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, your guests watch the rice cook, and it’s served hot from the pan when you’re ready to eat. Evenings in Carter's Clay stay light until about 9:25pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:10pm; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- We start with a few details 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.
- It’s served straight from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
How to prepare
- Give us a contact for the day
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
How to get a price
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
- 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