Hampshire · England
Live paella catering in East Harting, Hampshire
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event for events in East Harting and across Hampshire.
- Big birthdays
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Staff parties and work lunches
Live paella catering in East Harting
About our paella catering in East Harting
Everything is cooked from scratch on site, beginning with a sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, followed by stock, saffron and rice. For garden get-togethers and festivals, fairs and school events, we can cook mixed paella, seafood paella and paella Valenciana for your guests.
Somewhere as small as East Harting, a garden or field is frequently the venue. Country lanes and long drives are no problem if we know about them, and a firm spot near where we park makes set-up easier. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, each in a separate pan and clearly labelled.
East Harting: venues, travel and local tips
East Harting is about 4 miles south-east of Petersfield, in Hampshire. Anywhere in GU31, we will come to your venue or garden. We cook in 683 places across Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from East Harting to Guildford (about 23 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Petersfield station, about 4.1 miles north-west. Nearby historic houses include Uppark (1.7 miles south-west). Historic venues frequently limit cooking, so ask early if you’re booking one. East Harting is within about a mile of the South Downs National Park, and country venues and gardens there suit live paella perfectly. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
For paella catering in GU31, we plan around your venue and your guests. Your event could be at a home on Hollist Lane, East Harting Street and Orchard Close or the roads around them. If your venue is just outside East Harting, we also cover South Harting (1 mile west), Nyewood (1 mile north), Elsted (1 mile east), Elsted Marsh (2 miles east) and Dumpford (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cater in Havant (9 miles south-west), Horndean (8 miles south-west), Alton (13 miles north), Waterlooville (10 miles south-west), Petersfield (4 miles north-west) and Purbrook (10 miles south-west).
A little further out are Petersfield Community Hospital (4.1 miles north-west) and Bear Museum (3.7 miles north-west). Not far away are Iping and Stedham Commons and Oakham Hill.
- Local pubs include The Ship Inn (0.8 miles west)
Why choose live paella in East Harting?
A cold buffet is simple but has no theatre, and the food sits out. Paella is cooked in front of your guests and served hot. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
Why East Harting hosts choose us
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Events in East Harting and across Hampshire
Take a look at Our pricing Or The cost guide.
Space, weather and the venue
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
What we offer
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Seafood paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Mixed paella
- Vegan paella
- Vegetable paella
Questions from East Harting
We are having a ceremony at The Parish Church of St Mary & St Gabriel: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
How far is East Harting from London?
Roughly 49 miles from the centre of London.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes, always. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, where your guests can watch.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we take the right care.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in a separate pan.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Children are welcome. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we’ll plan a pan with them in mind.
Can you cook indoors?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, because we use gas burners. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
How do you work out quantities?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Tell us what else is being served. Our guide to portions explains more.
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.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and do not stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Dishes our guests love
Seafood paella
Prawns, mussels and squid in a rich fish stock, cooked until the rice is golden. It’s generally the most photographed pan.
Mixed paella
Chicken and seafood together.
Catering for every guest
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Give us separate numbers for children
- Ask about diets and allergies on your invitation or RSVP
- Tell us what else is being served
- Pick a mix of paellas to cover every diet
The rice takes about 20 minutes once it goes in, so we start it at the right moment for your event. If timings shift, we adapt.
Need plates or staff? We can provide them.
Planners, venues and businesses
Events in public spaces, like parks, generally need permission. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
What happens on the day
When the rice goes in, it’s left alone. That’s what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. The smell usually draws people over. Planning an evening event in East Harting? Sunset is around 8:55pm in late May, 9:20pm at midsummer and 7:05pm in late September; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and any dietary needs.
- You get a suggested menu and an itemised quote.
- On the day we arrive in good time, set up and start the stock.
- Your guests watch the paella cook, with any tapas served first.
- It’s served straight from the pan, and we pack down afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Share the running order, including any speeches
How to get a price
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Nearby places to East Harting
More for events in East Harting
Perfect for your event in East Harting
Live paella is food and a show in one. The pans become a focal point, and the food is hot and generous.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Typical bookings include:
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Summer garden parties
- Big birthdays
- Retirement and leaving parties
If you are celebrating after a service at a church like The Parish Church of St Mary & St Gabriel, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well.
Comparing caterers
- The venue requirements
- VAT, if it applies
- A clear list of what’s included
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- 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