West Sussex · England
Live paella catering in Elsted Marsh, West Sussex
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in Elsted Marsh. We cook from scratch on site, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Festivals, fairs and school events
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
Paella catering in Elsted Marsh
How the day works
Your timings come first. If things run behind, we adjust the cooking so it is served at its best. Evenings in Elsted Marsh stay light until about 9:20pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:05pm; once it’s dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
- Get in touch with the basics: when, where and how many.
- Expect a menu idea and a clear, itemised price.
- Closer to the day, we confirm timings and the cooking spot.
- We set up, cook from scratch and keep an eye on your timings.
- Guests are served from the pan, and our area is cleared afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Give us a contact for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Tell us when you want to eat
Ask for a quote
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can use our quote form.
Planning help
Paella catering in Elsted Marsh, cooked live
Live paella catering means we bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients to your event and cook in front of your guests. When it is ready, it’s served straight from the pan. Whether it’s staff parties and work lunches and anniversaries and engagement parties, we can cook vegetable paella, vegan paella and mixed paella for your guests.
In a hamlet or village like Elsted Marsh, your own garden or a neighbour’s field can make a wonderful venue. Mention gates and soft ground when you get in touch. You will know exactly what’s included before booking: the menu, the staff and any extras.
- Area
- Elsted Marsh (GU29)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
DIY paella versus live catering
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Live paella in Elsted Marsh: local details
Elsted Marsh is about 6 miles east of Petersfield, in West Sussex. Events in Elsted Marsh are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. Elsted Marsh is one of 371 places in West Sussex where we cook. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 21 miles away.
For a christening or wedding at a church such as St George's Church, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. The South Downs National Park is within about 4 miles of Elsted Marsh, 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.
Wherever your event is in GU29, we can bring paella catering to you. We also cook at events in Ingrams Green (1 mile east), Dumpford (1 mile north), Trotton (1 mile north), Elsted (1 mile south-west) and Didling (1 mile south). Further out, we also cater in Bognor Regis (14 miles south-east), Chichester (10 miles south), Emsworth (10 miles south-west), Portfield (10 miles south), Yapton (14 miles south-east) and East Wittering (15 miles south).
Nearby you’ll also find Midhurst Museum (3.2 miles east) and Midhurst Community Hospital (3.5 miles east). Not far away are Iping and Stedham Commons.
- Pubs nearby include The Keeper's Arms Public House (1 mile north)
Planning for every diet
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Here’s how:
- Tell us what else is being served
- Send allergies to us in writing
- Make sure most guests can sit to eat
- Give us separate numbers for children
On the day, you shouldn’t have to think about the food. We set up, cook and serve, and stay in touch with your venue about timings.
Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana finish the meal, or serve your own cake.
For event organisers in Elsted Marsh
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we are happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so guests are fed quickly. Let us know how long the food break is.
What paella catering costs
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Waiting and bar staff
- The number of people
- The paellas you choose
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What to tell us
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- A picture of the space, if you can
- Anything your venue supplies
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Diets and allergies you know about
Not sure what you need yet? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will make suggestions. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
For something a little different, live paella adds colour, smell and theatre to your event in Elsted Marsh. Larger events generally cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Why Elsted Marsh hosts choose us
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Events in Elsted Marsh and across West Sussex
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
Read Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
Towns and villages near Elsted Marsh
More for events in Elsted Marsh
Before you choose a spot
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
On the menu in Elsted Marsh
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood paella
- Vegan paella
- Vegetable paella
Questions from Elsted Marsh
Is Elsted Marsh close to London?
About 47 miles from central London, and well within our area.
Do you come out to small places like Elsted Marsh?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
How much paella per person?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
What space do you need to cook?
Not a lot: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a picture.
Can paella be the only main course?
It can be. With bread and salad, paella is a complete main, and tapas or dessert can be added.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, because we use gas burners. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Which areas do you serve?
We cater across London and the South East, West Sussex included. Find your area.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria can be added, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
A closer look at the menu
Mixed paella
A mix of chicken and seafood, and a popular all-rounder.
Black rice
Black rice gets its colour from squid ink, and is normally served with alioli. It makes a dramatic second seafood pan.
- 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