Hampshire · England
Paella Catering for Downton events
Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Downton: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, in full view of your guests.
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
Paella catering for Downton events
Where we can cook in Downton
If a space isn’t suitable, we’ll tell you. The main points are:
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Popular choices
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Mixed paella
Paella catering in Downton, cooked live
One cooking area feeds a lot of people, there is very little waste, and the food is served hot. It’s why live paella suits so many kinds of event. Typical bookings include garden get-togethers and milestone birthday parties, serving paella Valenciana, mixed paella and seafood paella.
For a rural spot like Downton, the countryside is part of the appeal: a huge pan in a garden or field fits perfectly. Tell us about access and the ground. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
What happens on the day
Serving is fast: we serve straight from the pan, so large groups are fed quickly. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. Planning an evening event in Downton? Sunset is around 8:55pm in late May, 9:25pm at midsummer and 7:10pm in late September; once it’s dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
- 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 sofrito, stock and rice go in, and guests gather to watch.
- We serve hot from the pan and clear our cooking area.
Getting ready for the day
- Give us a contact for the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Share the running order, including any speeches
Getting a price
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Planning help
Also near Downton
More for events in Downton
Catering an event in Downton
Downton is about 3 miles west of Lymington, in Hampshire. Anywhere in SO41, we can cook for your guests. We cover 683 places across Hampshire. We cook right across the region, from Downton to Southampton (16 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Highcliffe Castle (4.2 miles west). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is New Milton station, about 2 miles north-west. The New Forest National Park is within about 6 miles of Downton, and country venues and gardens there suit live paella perfectly. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking. The coast is within about 4 miles of Downton, so a seafood pan is a popular choice. Coastal wind means we plan a sheltered spot.
We cover events in every part of the SO41 postcode area and the streets around it. From Hordle Lane and Shorefield Road or anywhere nearby, we will bring the pans to you. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Leagreen (1 mile east), Hordle (1 mile north), Ashley (2 miles north-west), Barton on Sea (2 miles west) and New Milton (2 miles north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Totton (13 miles north), Lymington (3 miles east), Hythe (13 miles north-east), Ringwood (10 miles north-west), Dibden Purlieu (12 miles north-east) and Marchwood (13 miles north-east).
A little further out are Lymington New Forest Hospital (3.7 miles north-east) and Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum (2.9 miles north-west). Open spaces near Downton include Milford on Sea LNR.
- Nearby schools include The Arnewood School (2.1 miles west)
For event organisers in Downton
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so guests are fed quickly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Hosting 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.
Downton: your questions answered
Do you come out to small places like Downton?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
Which station should guests use for Downton?
The closest is New Milton station, roughly 2 miles away.
When should we book?
The sooner the better. Popular dates book up first, so get in touch early.
Can paella be the only main course?
It can be. With bread and salad, paella is a complete main.
Which paellas suit our guests?
It depends on your guests. A chicken or mixed paella is generally the most popular, alongside seafood and vegetable or vegan pans.
Do you cover Downton?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, and Downton is within our area and the rest of Hampshire. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Are premium seafood options available?
Seafood choices are agreed when we plan the menu.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
A closer look at the menu
Mixed paella
Mixed paella brings meat and seafood together, and it’s often the first pan to empty.
Vegetable and vegan paella
The vegetable pan is a dish in its own right: artichokes, beans, peppers and saffron, cooked in its own pan.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
If you want something different from the usual buffet or roast, live paella adds colour, smell and theatre. There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
Why us?
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
Catering for every guest
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To get it right:
- Ask for labels on each pan
- Make sure most guests can sit to eat
- Give us separate numbers for children
- Pick a mix of paellas to cover every diet
Paella is best eaten as soon as it’s ready, so we plan service for when guests are ready to eat.
Finish with churros, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago, or serve your own cake.
How we price paella catering
There is nothing hidden: the quote reflects:
- Guest numbers
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Starters, canapés and desserts
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Details that help
When you contact us, it helps to tell us:
- The date and rough timings
- Where the event is
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Expected numbers
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you are ready, send us your details through our quote form.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we’ll do the cooking.
- 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