West Sussex · England
Live paella catering in Compton, West Sussex
Love Paella cooks live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event across Compton and West Sussex, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Community events and fairs
- Staff parties and work lunches
Planning an event in Compton?
About our paella catering in Compton
Everything is cooked from scratch on site, starting with a slow sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, then the stock, saffron and rice. Whether it is milestone birthday parties and fairs, fêtes and festivals, we can cook mixed paella, paella Valenciana and chicken and chorizo paella and more.
In a hamlet or village like Compton, your own garden or a neighbour’s field can make a wonderful venue. Gates, verges and soft ground are worth mentioning when you enquire. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
- Location
- Compton (PO18)
- County
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Dishes our guests love
Black rice
Squid ink rice is bold and savoury, and is popular with adventurous guests.
Seafood paella
The secret is a well-made seafood stock. The shellfish is added late so it stays tender.
Is live paella right for your event?
For something a little different, live paella adds colour, smell and theatre. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Why choose Love Paella in Compton
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- A clear, itemised quote
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
Take a look at Our pricing Or Our guide to catering costs.
Catering for every guest
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Plan a meat, a seafood and a vegetable or vegan pan
- Collect dietary needs with your RSVPs
- Count adults and children separately
- Mention any other courses or food
You shouldn’t have to worry about the food on the day. We set up, cook and serve, and keep in touch with you or your venue about timings.
Add canapé tapas with the drinks or table tapas as a starter while the paella cooks.
Step by step
When the rice goes in, it is left alone. That is what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. The smell usually draws people over. Around midsummer it stays light in Compton until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. For winter events, when it is dark by about 4:00pm, 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.
How to prepare
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
How to get a price
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
Working with your venue
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
Compton: venues, travel and local tips
Compton is about 5 miles east of Horndean, in West Sussex. For paella catering in Compton, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. We cover all 371 towns and villages in West Sussex. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 22 miles away.
For a christening or wedding at a church such as The Parish Church of St Mary, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. Historic houses near Compton include Uppark (1.8 miles north). Historic venues frequently limit cooking, so ask early if you’re booking one. The South Downs National Park is within about 4 miles of Compton, a lovely setting for an outdoor event. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
For paella catering in PO18, we plan around your venue and timings. Local streets include Church Lane and School Lane; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Close by, we cover events in East Marden (2 miles east), South Harting (3 miles north), East Harting (3 miles north-east), Chilgrove (4 miles east) and Elsted (4 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (13 miles south-east), Chichester (8 miles south-east), Selsey (14 miles south), Emsworth (6 miles south), Portfield (9 miles south-east) and Yapton (15 miles south-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Petersfield Community Hospital (5.7 miles north) and Clanfield Earthwork (4 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve and Compton Down.
- Local pubs include The Coach And Horses Public House (less than half a mile south-west)
Compton: your questions answered
Do you cater in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will follow the site rules.
Which station should guests use for Compton?
The closest is Rowlands Castle station, roughly 3.6 miles away.
What happens if it rains?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We will agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three covers most guests. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, in front of your guests.
Which paellas suit our guests?
It depends on your guests. A chicken or mixed paella is normally the most popular, alongside seafood and vegetable or vegan pans.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
Yes, on request. Proper crockery or quality disposables are available.
Prices and what affects them
There’s nothing hidden: the quote reflects:
- Your choice of paellas
- Waiting and bar staff
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Travel, parking and access
Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Getting an accurate quote
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- A picture of the space, if you can
- The venue or postcode
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Expected numbers
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. 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.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
Before you choose a spot
We’ll agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
- Somewhere close to park and unload
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegan paella
- Seafood paella
Towns and villages near Compton
What else we do in Compton
- 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