West Sussex · England
Live paella catering in Coolham, West Sussex
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event makes the food a highlight of your event in Coolham.
- Festivals, fairs and school events
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
Live paella catering in Coolham
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
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 for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Paella catering in Coolham, made fresh on the day
One cooking area feeds a lot of people, very little goes to waste, and the food is served hot. That is why it works for so many events. We are frequently asked to cater festivals, fairs and school events and christenings and family gatherings, serving seafood paella, black rice and paella Valenciana.
In a hamlet or village like Coolham, your own garden or a neighbour’s field can make a wonderful venue. Mention gates and soft ground when you contact us. We plan the timings around your day, so the paella is ready when you want to eat.
- Where
- Coolham (RH13)
- County
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning live paella in Coolham
Coolham is about 6 miles south-west of Horsham, in West Sussex. Whether your event is in the middle of Coolham or on the outskirts, paella catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cover all 371 towns and villages across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Coolham to Brighton (about 16 miles away).
For a christening or wedding at a church such as St Mary's Mission Church, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. If you are organising a summer fair for a school like William Penn School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser.
This part of West Sussex takes in RH13, so your event can be anywhere in it. Your event could be at a home on Coolham Road and West Chiltington Lane. Other places close to Coolham for paella catering include Goose Green (3 miles south), Gay Street (3 miles south-west), Adversane (3 miles west), North Heath (3 miles west) and West Chiltington (3 miles south-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Crawley (12 miles north-east), Horsham (6 miles north-east), Worthing (12 miles south), Haywards Heath (13 miles east), Burgess Hill (12 miles east) and Littlehampton (14 miles south-west).
Nearby you will also find Christs Hospital School Museum (3.9 miles north-east). Not far away are Knepp Wildland.
- Pubs nearby include The Selsey Arms Public House (less than half a mile south)
Before you choose a spot
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We need:
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think.
Popular choices
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Seafood paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegan paella
How the day works
On the day, we set up our cooking area, light the burners and start the sofrito. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so we time everything to your schedule. In Coolham, the sun sets at about 9:20pm in late June and about 7:05pm in late September, so summer evening events are normally served in daylight. For winter events, when it’s dark by about 3:55pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- You share 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.
- We serve hot from the pan and clear our cooking area.
Preparing for the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Give us a contact for the day
Ask for a quote
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will confirm whether we’re available that day.
Read more
Catering for every guest
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Make sure most guests can sit to eat
- Put allergy details in writing
Once everyone is fed, we clear our cooking area, quietly and quickly.
Bread, salad and lemon go well alongside and suit guests who aren’t big rice eaters.
Why choose live paella in Coolham?
For something a little different, live paella brings colour, aroma and a touch of Spain to your event in Coolham. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we will suggest a menu.
Why us?
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Drinks service on request
- Events in Coolham and across West Sussex
See How we price And Our guide to catering costs.
Coolham: your questions answered
Is Coolham close to London?
About 37 miles from central London.
Do you come out to small places like Coolham?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
What space do you need to cook?
Less than you might think: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. Send us a picture if you’re not sure.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes. A simple chicken paella is normally popular with children. Include children in your numbers.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Normally we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Is paella enough as a main?
It’s a full meal on its own. Tapas and desserts can be added if you like.
Can you bring crockery?
We can. Let us know what you have, and we will quote for the rest.
Which paella is most popular?
Two or three is usual: a mixed or chicken paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. Our menu lists the options.
How we price paella catering
Your quote will be clear and itemised. The main things that affect it are:
- Timings and hours
- The number of people
- Waiting and bar staff
- Whether you need crockery
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What we need to know
To check availability and price, we need:
- Which courses you have in mind
- The date and time of the event
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
Not sure what you need yet? That’s fine: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll make suggestions. To start, use our quote form.
For planners, venues and organisers
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will talk you through the process. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
About the dishes
Paella Valenciana
The original paella from Valencia is a countryside dish of chicken and vegetables, not seafood. It’s a favourite with guests who don’t eat fish.
Seafood paella
Seafood paella starts with a good fish and shellfish stock. Shellfish goes in towards the end so it stays tender.
Nearby places to Coolham
Other catering in Coolham
- 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