East Sussex · England
Live paella catering in Coleman's Hatch, East Sussex
Looking for paella catering in Coleman's Hatch? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Community events and fairs
- Company summer parties
Live paella catering in Coleman's Hatch
Paella catering in Coleman's Hatch, made fresh on the day
Two or three pans side by side cover every guest: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. Every pan is cooked on its own. Typical bookings include milestone birthday parties and staff parties and work lunches, serving black rice, vegan paella and vegetable paella.
Somewhere like Coleman's Hatch, a field or garden is frequently the perfect setting. Gates, verges and soft ground are worth mentioning when you enquire. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, each in a separate pan.
- Area
- Coleman's Hatch (TN7)
- Area hub
- East Sussex
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
About the dishes
Paella Valenciana
The original paella from Valencia is a countryside dish of chicken and vegetables, rather than seafood. It is frequently the most popular pan at an event.
Seafood paella
A rich seafood stock with prawns, mussels and squid, cooked until the rice is golden. It is the pan people photograph.
Places near Coleman's Hatch
Other catering in Coleman's Hatch
Where we can cook in Coleman's Hatch
We will agree the cooking spot with you before the day. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
Menu ideas
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood paella
What happens on the day
The cooking is part of the entertainment. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook while your guests chat. Evenings in Coleman's Hatch stay light until about 9:20pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:05pm; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- Send us your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan a menu that covers every diet.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- The paella cooks as guests gather round.
- Service is straight from the pan, then we pack down.
Preparing for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Give us a contact for the day
Getting a price
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Prices and what affects them
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Distance and access to the venue
- How many staff you need
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- How long we are needed on site
Larger events typically cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Details that help
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The venue or postcode
- The courses you’d like
- Anything your venue supplies
Still deciding on the menu? That’s fine: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll make suggestions. To start, use our quote form.
Planning live paella in Coleman's Hatch
Coleman's Hatch is about 4 miles south-east of East Grinstead, in East Sussex. We cook at events in homes, gardens and venues in Coleman's Hatch. Coleman's Hatch is one of 289 towns and villages in East Sussex we cover. We cook right across the region, from Coleman's Hatch to Brighton (about 20 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Bassetts Manor (2.6 miles north-east) and Hammerwood Park (3.1 miles north). Historic venues frequently limit cooking, so ask early if you’re booking one. For guests coming by train, East Grinstead station is about 4.6 miles away. Coleman's Hatch is within about 2 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, a lovely setting for an outdoor event. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
Here we cover the TN7 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. That could mean an event in a garden on Shepherds Hill and Parrock Lane. Nearby, we also cater events in Upper Hartfield (1 mile north-east), Forest Row (1 mile west), Wych Cross (2 miles south-west), Chelwood Gate (3 miles south-west) and Duddleswell (3 miles south). Further out, we also cater in Lewes (15 miles south), Crowborough (5 miles south-east), Uckfield (8 miles south), South Malling (15 miles south), Heathfield (12 miles south-east) and Southover (15 miles south).
Well-known places in the area include Queen Victoria Hospital (4.4 miles north-west) and Bolebroke Castle (2.9 miles north-east). The countryside around Coleman's Hatch includes Brickfield Meadow.
- Local pubs include The Hatch Inn (less than half a mile south-east)
Why choose live paella in Coleman's Hatch?
If you want something different from the usual buffet or roast, live paella brings colour, aroma and a touch of Spain to your event in Coleman's Hatch. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. Everything is confirmed in writing.
What you get with us
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- No hidden extras in your quote
Take a look at Our pricing Or Our guide to catering costs.
Diets, allergies and planning
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Have seats for most of your guests
- Collect dietary needs with your RSVPs
- Mention any other courses or food
A short rest after cooking helps, and that’s when we invite guests up.
Bread, salad and lemon wedges make the meal go further and suit guests who aren’t big rice eaters.
FAQs for Coleman's Hatch
Is Coleman's Hatch close to London?
Roughly 29 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
What’s the nearest station to Coleman's Hatch for guests?
The closest is East Grinstead station, roughly 4.6 miles away.
Is halal food available?
Yes, we do. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in its own pan.
How do you work out quantities?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
How far ahead should we book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so it pays to ask early.
Where do you cater?
We cover London and the South East, including East Sussex. See all areas.
Who clears up?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Do you cater for young children?
Of course. Children frequently love a simple chicken paella. Include children in your numbers.
Who books paella catering in Coleman's Hatch?
There is no kitchen needed, so it’s at home in gardens, fields and marquees where other catering struggles.
Big or small, live paella works well. Common bookings include:
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
- Retirement celebrations
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Community events and fairs
For a christening or wedding at a church such as Holy Trinity Church, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone.
Comparing caterers
- Travel and parking costs
- How late numbers can change
- How each diet is kept separate
- VAT, if it applies
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
- 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