Surrey · England
Paella Catering for East Shalford events
Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in East Shalford: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Naming days and family parties
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
Paella catering near East Shalford
Paella catering around East Shalford
East Shalford is about 2 miles south-east of Guildford, in Surrey. We cook at events in gardens, halls and venues around East Shalford and the surrounding area. East Shalford is one of 395 towns and villages in Surrey where we cook.
If you are celebrating after a service at a church like Church of St Thomas, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Tillingbourne Junior School, can book us as a food stall. East Shalford is within about 4 miles of the Surrey Hills National Landscape. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
For paella catering in GU4, we plan around your venue and your guests. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Shalford (1 mile south-west), Chilworth (1 mile east), Broadford (1 mile south-west), Artington (1 mile west) and Peasmarsh (1 mile south-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Woking (7 miles north), Camberley (11 miles north-west), Epsom (15 miles north-east), Farnham (11 miles west), Egham (15 miles north) and Reigate (15 miles east).
Nearby you’ll also find St. Luke’s Hospital (1.3 miles north) and Guildford Castle (1.4 miles north-west). Open spaces near East Shalford include St Martha's Hill and Pewley Down.
- Local schools include St Catherine's School (1.5 miles south) and Guildford High School (1.7 miles north)
- Pubs nearby include The Queen Victoria pub (0.7 miles west)
Paella catering in East Shalford, made fresh on the day
A couple of different pans covers everyone: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. Every pan is cooked on its own. Whether it is retirement and leaving parties and office lunches and staff parties, we will put together a menu of seafood paella, vegetable paella and black rice and more.
Somewhere as small as East Shalford, 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. Timings are planned around your event, whether that is speeches, a lunch break or a festival schedule.
Organising for someone else?
Events in public spaces, like parks, generally need permission. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Planning for every diet
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To get it right:
- Count adults and children separately
- Ask for labels on each pan
- Flag any coeliac guests, not just gluten-free preferences
- Plan a meat, a seafood and a vegetable or vegan pan
Once the rice is in, it needs about 20 minutes, so we start it at the right moment for your event. If timings shift, we adapt.
Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana finish the meal, or serve your own cake.
What else we do in East Shalford
East Shalford: your questions answered
Is East Shalford too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Do you cater in the Surrey Hills National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will work to whatever the site needs.
Can you feed plenty of people?
Yes, that’s what it’s made for. We size pans and serving points to your guest list.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we take the right care.
How much does paella catering cost in East Shalford?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Can you cook in the rain?
We cook under cover, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We’ll agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Is halal food available?
We can. Let us know your halal numbers, and it’s cooked separately.
How many different paellas?
Generally two or three, so every guest has a choice. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we’ll suggest the mix.
What affects the price in East Shalford
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Distance and access to the venue
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- The number of people
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
Getting an accurate quote
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Where the event is
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Roughly how many adults and children
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
About the dishes
Seafood paella
Seafood paella starts with a good fish and shellfish stock. The shellfish is added late so it stays tender.
Black rice
Black rice gets its colour from squid ink, and is generally served with alioli. It’s a striking addition to a seafood menu.
How it works
On the day, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so the timing is planned around your event. Around midsummer it stays light in East Shalford until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening events are typically served in daylight. For winter events, when it is dark by about 3:55pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- First, tell us about your event.
- You get a menu and an itemised quote.
- We agree timings, access and the cooking spot.
- We cook live on the day while guests watch.
- It is served straight from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Plan cover in case of rain
How to get a price
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll make suggestions. To start, use our quote form.
Read more
DIY paella versus live catering
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Why choose paella catering in East Shalford?
Paella is quick to serve and suits mixed diets, which is why it works for so many occasions. It gives people something to gather round, too.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In East Shalford, people book us for events such as:
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Summer garden parties
- Anniversary celebrations
For guests coming by train, Shalford station is about 0.7 miles away.
What to look for in a quote
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- The deadline for final numbers
- How each diet is kept separate
- VAT, if it applies
Live paella or other catering?
Barbecues cook in batches, so food comes off in waves. Paella is ready all at once, so everyone eats together. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Why choose Love Paella in East Shalford
- A quote that spells everything out
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
Take a look at Our prices page And Our guide to catering costs.
- 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