Greater London · England
Paella Catering in East Dulwich
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event turns food into part of your event in East Dulwich.
- Community events and fairs
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Weddings and evening receptions
Live paella catering in East Dulwich
Paella catering in East Dulwich, made fresh on the day
We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook the paella in front of your guests. When it’s ready, it’s served straight from the pan. Popular choices include vegan paella, paella Valenciana and mixed paella, and typical bookings are for big birthdays and weddings, from canapés to evening food.
London gardens are often long and narrow, but a level spot away from fences and trees is generally all we need. In East Dulwich, the bigger question is parking near the house or venue. You’ll know exactly what’s included before booking: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
- Location
- East Dulwich (SE5, SE22, SE15)
- County
- Greater London
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and do not stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
How the day works
The paella is cooked in huge, shallow pans over gas burners. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, which we agree with you beforehand. Around midsummer it stays light in East Dulwich 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.
- Start with the date, the place and the numbers.
- We come back with paellas to suit your guests, plus any extras.
- Closer to the day, we confirm timings and the cooking spot.
- 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
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Check the venue allows live cooking
Get a quote
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Paella catering around East Dulwich
East Dulwich is about 3 miles south of London, in Greater London. Give us the address of your event in East Dulwich, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up. We cover 764 places in Greater London.
For guests coming by train, East Dulwich station is in East Dulwich itself. Nearby historic houses include Kingswood House (2.2 miles south) and Mansion House (3.5 miles north). Historic venues frequently limit cooking, so ask early if you are booking one.
Anywhere in SE5, SE22 and SE15, we can cook for your guests. We can cater an event on streets such as Rye Lane, Wren Road and Adys Road or the roads around them. You will find East Dulwich on the A2214 and A2215, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. Close by, we cover events in Denmark Hill (1 mile north-west), Herne Hill (1 mile south-west), Dulwich Village (1 mile south), Camberwell (1 mile north) and Peckham (1 mile north-east). Larger places within reach include London (3 miles north), City of Westminster (5 miles north-west), Marylebone (5 miles north-west), Kensington (6 miles north-west), St Pancras (5 miles north) and Shoreditch (4 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include Dulwich Community Hospital (less than half a mile south-east) and Nunhead (1.4 miles east). The countryside around East Dulwich includes Knight's Hill and Centre for Wildlife Gardening.
- Schools near East Dulwich include The Charter School East Dulwich (within half a mile south-east) and The Charter School (under half a mile south-west)
- Local pubs include The Fox on the Hill pub (under half a mile north-west)
Planners, venues and businesses
Organising a club, school or community event in East Dulwich? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Paella compared with other options
A plated meal needs a kitchen, more staff and normally costs more per head. Live paella needs only a level, ventilated spot and permission to cook, and gives guests something to watch. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Why choose Love Paella in East Dulwich
- Fast service from the pan
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- A clear, itemised quote
Read Our prices page And The cost guide.
Your questions about paella catering in East Dulwich
What about parking in East Dulwich?
It can be, so tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway. We will work around it.
Can you cook in Brunswick Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, normally the council. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
What if the weather’s bad?
Rain doesn’t stop us, as long as there is a ventilated cover. We’ll talk it through before the day.
Which paellas do you recommend?
That depends on who’s coming. Chicken and mixed paellas tend to go first, alongside seafood and vegetable or vegan pans.
Do you do desserts?
Yes. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
How many different paellas?
Two or three covers most guests. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we’ll suggest the mix.
What areas do you cover?
We cater across London and the South East, including Greater London. Find your area.
What do you need at the venue?
Less than you might think: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. Send us a photo if you’re not sure.
Planning for every diet
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Ensure most guests can sit to eat
- Plan a meat, a seafood and a vegetable or vegan pan
- Count adults and children separately
- Confirm allergies by email
A short rest after cooking helps, which is when we usually call guests over.
We can add sangria and bar staff to serve drinks you provide.
Perfect for your event in East Dulwich
There’s no kitchen needed, so it’s at home in gardens, fields and marquees where other catering struggles.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In East Dulwich, people book us for occasions like:
- Retirement celebrations
- Anniversary celebrations
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like Dog Kennel Hill School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser.
Before you book anyone
- Who provides the crockery
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- How late numbers can change
- What happens if it rains
Places near East Dulwich
Other catering in East Dulwich
A closer look at the menu
Seafood paella
The secret is a well-made seafood stock. The shellfish is added late so it stays tender.
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, and is typically served with alioli. It’s a striking addition to a seafood menu.
What affects the price in East Dulwich
Your quote will be clear and itemised. What affects it most:
- How many staff you need
- The paellas you choose
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Timings and hours
Got a budget? Let us know, and we will put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Details that help
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but these help:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Which courses you have in mind
- The address or venue name
- Anything your venue supplies
Planning paella catering in East Dulwich? Send us the details and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. Just send us your details through our quote form.
- 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