East Sussex · England
Live paella catering in Eastbourne, East Sussex
Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Eastbourne: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests.
- Retirement celebrations
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
Paella catering in Eastbourne
About our paella catering in Eastbourne
A single cooking set-up can feed a crowd, there’s very little waste, and the food arrives hot. That’s why it works for so many events. We cook mixed paella, black rice and chicken and chorizo paella, and we are regularly asked to cater retirement celebrations and fairs, fêtes and festivals.
Eastbourne is a large place with every kind of venue, from function rooms to gardens and courtyards. Whichever you choose, the cooking spot just needs to be level and ventilated, and town-centre parking is worth mentioning when you enquire. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, with each paella cooked in its own pan.
- Area
- Eastbourne (BN23, BN22, BN21, BN20)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Occasions we cook for in Eastbourne
Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets, so it suits all kinds of occasions. It gives people something to gather round, too.
If you are planning any of these, we can help:
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Retirement celebrations
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Christenings and family gatherings
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Hampden Park station, about 0.7 miles north-west.
Before booking anyone
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- When final numbers are due
- How long the team stays
- Payment terms and deposit
Planning live paella in Eastbourne
Eastbourne is in East Sussex. For an event in Eastbourne, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. Eastbourne is one of 289 towns and villages in East Sussex where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Eastbourne to Brighton (about 19 miles away).
If you are celebrating after a service at a church like St Andrew, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like Stafford Junior School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser. The South Downs National Park is within about 6 miles of Eastbourne. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours. Eastbourne is within about 2 miles of the sea, and seafood paella always feels right near the sea. Coastal wind means we plan a sheltered spot.
Here we cover the BN23, BN22, BN21 and BN20 postcode area. Streets in the area include Vine Square, Ashford Square and Howard Square, and we can cook for an event on any of them. With the A22 and A259 close by, Eastbourne is easy for us to reach. For events just outside Eastbourne, we cover Hampden Park (1 mile north-west), Upperton (1 mile south-west), Old Town (1 mile south-west), Ratton Village (2 miles west) and Meads (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Hastings (13 miles north-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (9 miles north-east), Seaford (8 miles west), Lewes (14 miles north-west), Hailsham (6 miles north) and St Leonards (13 miles east). Eastbourne is among the bigger towns we cover in East Sussex, with plenty of venues for events.
A little further out are Pevensey Castle (3 miles north-east) and Royal Sussex Regimental Museum (1 mile south-east). Not far away are Combe Hill.
- Nearby schools include Ratton School (1.1 miles west) and WMG Academy for Young Engineers (1.5 miles south-west)
- Nearby, you will find The King's Arms Public House (0.9 miles south-east)
Towns and villages near Eastbourne
Other catering in Eastbourne
Where we can cook in Eastbourne
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
On the menu in Eastbourne
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Seafood paella
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegan paella
DIY paella versus live catering
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and do not stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Eastbourne: your questions answered
We are having a ceremony at St Andrew: 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. Tell us where the reception will be.
Do you cater in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
What if the weather’s bad?
We need a covered spot, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We will agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Do you do starters?
Of course. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, served while the paella cooks.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
Yes, on request. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
Which areas do you serve?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Eastbourne.
What paella catering costs
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, depending on:
- Your choice of paellas
- The number of people
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- How many staff you need
There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Details that help
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- A picture of the space, if you can
- The address or venue name
Send us the date, your venue or BN23 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. Just use our quote form.
Catering for every guest
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Make sure each pan is labelled
- Count adults and children separately
- Add a dietary question to your invitations
- Confirm allergies by email
If you’ve booked staff, they’ll serve, clear and help keep things moving, so you can relax.
Tapas or canapés make a good start while the paella cooks.
What happens on the day
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you’re free to enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first while the paella cooks. Around midsummer it stays light in Eastbourne until about 9:15pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:00pm, so summer evening events are normally served in daylight. For winter events, when it’s dark by about 3:55pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- We start with a few details about your event.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a clear quote.
- We agree timings, access and the cooking spot.
- On the day, we set up and cook in front of your guests.
- It is served straight from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
Getting a price
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, use our quote form.
Related guides
A closer look at the menu
Vegetable and vegan paella
A slow sofrito, seasonal vegetables and a good vegetable stock make a proper main dish. Vegan versions use plant-based stock.
Black rice
Black rice looks dramatic and tastes of the sea.
Organising for someone else?
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
Organising a club, school or community event in Eastbourne? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we will suggest a menu.
- 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