West Sussex · England
Paella Catering in Ditchling Common
Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Ditchling Common: paella cooked from scratch in huge pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Big birthdays
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
Planning an event in Ditchling Common?
About our paella catering in Ditchling Common
Watching it cook is part of the experience. Guests gather round as the sofrito sizzles and the saffron colours the rice, and the smell does the rest. Whether it is summer garden parties and christenings and family gatherings, we will put together a menu of chicken and chorizo paella, black rice and paella Valenciana.
In a rural place like Ditchling Common, the setting does a lot of the work: a giant pan in a garden or field fits perfectly. Let us know about access and ground conditions. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
- Location
- Ditchling Common (BN6)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Prices and what affects them
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- How many guests are eating
- Travel, parking and access
Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before you book.
What we need to know
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but these help:
- The date and rough timings
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Which courses you have in mind
- What the venue already provides
Planning paella catering in Ditchling Common? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Towns and villages near Ditchling Common
Other catering in Ditchling Common
The process
Watching it cook is half the fun. 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. Around midsummer it stays light in Ditchling Common until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening events are generally served in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 3:55pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- First, you send us your date, venue, numbers and diets.
- We put together a menu and a clear quote.
- On the day, we set up the burners and pans and get the stock going.
- The rice cooks in full view, while tapas or canapés go round.
- We serve it hot from the pan and clear our area when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
Getting a price
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, use our quote form.
Planning help
A closer look at the menu
Black rice
Squid ink rice is bold and savoury.
Seafood paella
The secret is a well-made seafood stock. Shellfish goes in towards the end so it stays tender.
Should I cook it myself?
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.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
Catering an event in Ditchling Common
Ditchling Common is about 2 miles south-east of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. For an event in Ditchling Common, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices in and around Ditchling Common. We cook in 371 places across West Sussex. Our events stretch from Ditchling Common to Brighton (8 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Ockenden Manor (4.7 miles north-west). Historic venues frequently limit cooking, so ask early if you are booking one. For guests coming by train, Burgess Hill station is about 1.6 miles away. The South Downs National Park is within about 2 miles of Ditchling Common, 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 BN6 postcode area. Close by, we cover events in Wivelsfield (1 mile north), Wivelsfield Green (2 miles north-east), Plumpton Green (2 miles south-east), Streat (2 miles south) and East Chiltington (3 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (12 miles north), Horsham (13 miles north-west), Haywards Heath (4 miles north), East Grinstead (13 miles north), Shoreham-by-Sea (11 miles south-west) and Lancing (13 miles south-west).
Nearby you will also find Clayton Castle (3.4 miles south-west) and Burgess Hill Museum (1.7 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve and Ditchling Beacon.
- Nearby schools include Burgess Hill Girls (1.4 miles west) and The Burgess Hill Academy (1.8 miles west)
Space, weather and the venue
If a space is not suitable, we’ll tell you, and help find another spot. The main points are:
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before booking.
What we offer
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Seafood paella
Ditchling Common questions
How far is Ditchling Common from London?
About 38 miles from central London.
Which station should guests use for Ditchling Common?
Burgess Hill station, about 1.6 miles west of the centre.
Do you cover Ditchling Common?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, and Ditchling Common is within our area. For a quote, use our quote form.
Do you bring everything you need?
We bring the pans, burners and ingredients. You just need a suitable spot and access.
Who clears up?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
When do you arrive?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance so the paella is ready when you want it.
How much paella per person?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Plated meals need a kitchen and a bigger team. Live paella needs only a level, ventilated spot and permission to cook, and it’s entertaining too. Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We’ll send you a quote.
What you get with us
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- No hidden extras in your quote
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Occasions we cook for in Ditchling Common
Outdoor events and live paella go together: cooked outside, served hot and shared.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in Ditchling Common book us for occasions like:
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Company summer parties
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Festivals, fairs and school events
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Birchwood Grove Community Primary School, can book us as a food stall.
Questions to ask before you book
- How bad weather is handled
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Staff numbers and hours
- Any travel, parking or access charges
Working with your venue
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
Events in public spaces, like parks, normally need permission. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
- 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