West Sussex · England
Live paella catering in East Ashling, West Sussex
Something for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event for events in East Ashling.
- Birthday celebrations
- Community events and fairs
- Family celebrations and christenings
Paella catering in East Ashling
Should I cook it myself?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
How our paella catering works in East Ashling
There is something generous about paella: giant pans, saffron colour and a toasted crust that everyone fights over. It makes the food an event in itself. Whether it is milestone birthday parties and retirement celebrations, we will put together a menu of paella Valenciana, seafood paella and vegetable paella.
For a rural spot like East Ashling, the countryside is part of the appeal: a paella cooking in a garden or field feels right at home. Tell us about access and the ground. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
- Location
- East Ashling (PO18)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
What we need at the venue
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
What we offer
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Seafood paella
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Mixed paella
How it works
When the rice goes in, it’s left alone. That is what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. Your guests will smell it before they see it. Around midsummer it stays light in East Ashling 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.
- Start with the date, the place and the numbers.
- We come back with paellas to suit your guests, plus any extras.
- A week or so before, we confirm the plan.
- On the day we cook live, timed around your event.
- Guests are served from the pan, and our area is cleared afterwards.
How to prepare
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
Getting a price
Send us the date, your venue or PO18 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
Dishes our guests love
Mixed paella
Chicken and seafood together, for guests who want a bit of everything.
Black rice
Black rice gets its colour from squid ink, and is normally served with alioli. It makes a dramatic second seafood pan.
Organising for someone else?
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
Places near East Ashling
Also in East Ashling
What paella catering costs
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Travel, parking and access
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- The number of people
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
Getting an accurate quote
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- The address or venue name
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- The date and time of the event
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We will send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Perfect for your event in East Ashling
Live paella is food and a show in one. The pans become a focal point, and the food itself is hot and plentiful.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Summer garden parties
- Company summer parties
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
Nearby historic houses include West Dean House (4 miles north-east) and Goodwood House (4.2 miles east). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early.
Before booking anyone
- The deposit and payment dates
- Staff numbers and hours
- When final numbers are due
- VAT, if it applies
Planning live paella in East Ashling
East Ashling is about 3 miles north-west of Chichester, in West Sussex. Give us the address of your event in East Ashling, and we will plan the journey and set-up. We cover all 371 towns and villages across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from East Ashling to Southampton (about 25 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Bosham station, about 1.4 miles south. For a christening or wedding at a church such as Church of St Andrew, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. East Ashling is within about 8 miles of the South Downs National Park, and country venues and gardens there suit live paella perfectly. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
Paella catering in PO18 is planned around your venue. If your venue is just outside East Ashling, we also cover West Ashling (1 mile west), West Stoke (1 mile north-east), Funtington (1 mile north-west), Broadbridge (2 miles south) and Hambrook (2 miles west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Bognor Regis (8 miles south-east), Chichester (3 miles south-east), Selsey (9 miles south), Littlehampton (14 miles east), Emsworth (4 miles west) and Rustington (15 miles east).
Other landmarks nearby include Novium Museum (3 miles south-east) and Chichester Castle (3.1 miles south-east). Open spaces near East Ashling include Stoke Down and Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve.
- Schools near East Ashling include Bishop Luffa School (2.3 miles south-east)
- Pubs nearby include The Horse And Groom Public House (within half a mile north)
East Ashling questions
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Andrew?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Do you come out to small places like East Ashling?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
What space do you need to cook?
Not a lot: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. Send us a picture if you are not sure.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes. A simple chicken paella is typically popular with children. Include children in your numbers.
What seafood can we have?
Seafood choices are agreed when we plan the menu, including premium options if you want them.
How many different paellas?
Typically two or three, so every guest has a choice. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
What does paella catering cost?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas and we’ll reply with a price.
Does paella work for big events?
It’s ideal. Big pans feed a lot of people, and service from the pan is quick.
Catering for every guest
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Choose two or three paellas so every guest has a choice
- Confirm allergies by email
- Count adults and children separately
- Tell us what else is being served
Once everyone is fed, we clear our cooking area.
Tapas or canapés make a good start as the rice cooks.
- 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