Portsmouth · England
Live paella catering in Drayton, Portsmouth
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Drayton and the surrounding area.
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Milestone birthday parties
- Summer garden parties
Paella catering in Drayton
What affects the price in Drayton
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- Whether you need crockery
- How long we’re needed on site
- The number of people
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, 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 every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The venue or postcode
- What the venue already provides
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you’re ready, use our quote form.
About our paella catering in Drayton
Paella has always been food for a crowd: cooked outdoors in a wide, shallow pan and shared. That’s exactly what we bring to your event in Drayton. Popular choices include chicken and chorizo paella, seafood paella and mixed paella, and we’re regularly asked to cater christenings and family gatherings and office lunches and staff parties.
There may be a hall or club near Drayton if your garden is small; any can work for paella, with permission and somewhere outside to cook. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: the menu, the staff and any extras, with no surprises on the day.
- Where
- Drayton (PO6)
- Area hub
- Portsmouth
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Who books paella catering in Drayton?
It suits relaxed, sociable events, with guests mingling as it cooks before sitting down to eat.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in Drayton and nearby. Popular bookings include:
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Company summer parties
- Big birthdays
- Summer garden parties
Historic houses near Drayton include Warblington Castle (3.4 miles east). Historic venues often limit cooking, so ask early if you’re booking one.
Questions to ask before booking
- When payment is due
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Exactly what’s included in the price
DIY paella versus live catering
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
How it works
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you are free to enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first as the rice is cooking. Around midsummer it stays light in Drayton until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:10pm, so summer evening events are generally served in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 4:00pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- We start with a few details about your event.
- You get a menu and an itemised quote.
- Timings, access and the cooking area are agreed in advance.
- We cook live on the day while guests watch.
- We serve from the pan, then pack down.
Before we arrive
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Have a level space ready for the pans
Getting a price
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Tell us about your event in Drayton, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Related guides
Live paella in Drayton: local details
Drayton is about 2 miles south of Purbrook, in Portsmouth. Events in Drayton are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. We cover 19 places in Portsmouth. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 16 miles away.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Cosham station, about 1 mile west. If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like Springfield School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser. The coast is within about 5 miles of Drayton, and seafood paella always feels right near the sea. Sea breezes can be strong, so we plan a sheltered cooking spot.
Anywhere in PO6, we can bring paella catering to you. We can cater an event on streets such as Galt Road, Hirst Road and Court Lane or the roads around them. If your venue is just outside Drayton, we also cover Farlington (1 mile east), Widley (1 mile north), Cosham (1 mile west), Wymering (1 mile west) and Hilsea (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Portsmouth (3 miles south-west), Southsea (4 miles south), Milton (4 miles south), Landport (3 miles south-west), Baffins (3 miles south) and Rudmore (3 miles south-west).
Well-known places in the area include Portchester Castle (3.1 miles west) and World War I Remembrance Centre (1 mile south). Open spaces near Drayton include Portsdown Hill and Southmoor Nature Reserve.
- Local schools include Solent Junior School (less than half a mile north-east)
- Local pubs include New Inn (less than half a mile north-west)
Space, weather and the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
On the menu in Drayton
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Mixed paella
- Vegan paella
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Cold buffets are easy but forgettable, and the food sits out. Paella is cooked live and served hot. The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why choose Love Paella in Drayton
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- We cover Drayton and the whole of Portsmouth
Read Our prices page And The cost guide.
For planners, venues and organisers
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
Hosting a party at home? Send us a photo of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
What else we do in Drayton
The menu, dish by dish
Mixed paella
Mixed paella brings meat and seafood together, and it’s frequently the first pan to empty.
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, and is typically served with alioli. It makes a dramatic second seafood pan.
Drayton: your questions answered
What about events near the coast?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
How far is Drayton from London?
About 61 miles from central London.
What does paella catering cost?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas for a clear quote.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
How far ahead should we book?
The sooner the better. Popular dates book up first, so contact us early.
Is live paella good for a large crowd?
Yes. Large pans and fast service from the pan make it well suited to crowds.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
How do you work out quantities?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Tell us what else is being served. Our guide to portions explains more.
- 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