Surrey · England
Paella Catering for Fairlands events
We cook live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event across Fairlands and Surrey, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
Paella catering for Fairlands events
Space, weather and the venue
No two venues are the same, so we’ll ask about yours when you contact us. In general, we need:
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Seafood paella
- Vegan paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
Paella catering in Fairlands, cooked live
We cook every paella from scratch on the day, starting with a slow sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, followed by stock, saffron and rice. Typical bookings include garden get-togethers and retirement and leaving parties, with paella Valenciana, vegan paella and black rice.
Somewhere like Fairlands, a field or garden is often the perfect setting. Mention gates and soft ground when you contact us. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it is in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
What affects the price in Fairlands
Your quote will be clear and itemised. The main things that affect it are:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Your choice of paellas
- How many guests are eating
- Starters, canapés and desserts
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we will suggest a menu.
What we need to know
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- The date and time of the event
- The venue or postcode
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Expected numbers
Planning paella catering in Fairlands? Send us the details and we’ll come back with ideas and a quote. To contact us, use our quote form.
For event organisers in Fairlands
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Throwing a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
FAQs for Fairlands
What’s the nearest station to Fairlands for guests?
The closest is Guildford station, roughly 2.4 miles away.
Do you come out to small places like Fairlands?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Is paella a full meal?
It’s a full meal on its own. Many hosts add tapas first or dessert after.
Do you do starters?
Yes, it is the classic pairing. Tapas first, paella to follow.
What is live paella catering?
We cook from scratch at your venue in big pans, in front of your guests, and serve straight from the pan.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
How much paella per person?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Which paellas do you recommend?
Most events choose two or three: a mixed or chicken paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. Our menu lists the options.
Step by step
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you can enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first as the rice is cooking. In Fairlands, the sun sets at about 9:20pm in late June and about 7:05pm in late September, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. In December it is dark by about 3:55pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- Contact us with the basics: when, where and how many.
- Expect a menu idea and a clear, itemised price.
- A week or so before, we confirm the plan.
- 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
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Give us a contact for the day
How to get a price
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Planning help
Catering an event in Fairlands
Fairlands is about 2 miles north-west of Guildford, in Surrey. Give us the address of your event in Fairlands, and we’ll plan access and set-up. Fairlands is one of 395 places in Surrey we cover.
Nearby historic houses include Guildford Castle (2.8 miles south-east) and Wanborough Manor (2.8 miles south-west). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early. Parks such as Chitty's Common usually need the owner’s permission for cooking, so ask before you plan a party there. Fairlands is within about 8 miles of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, a lovely setting for an outdoor event. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
We cook at events all over GU3 and the streets around it. We can cater an event on streets such as Dynevor Place, Brooke Forest and Kiln Meadows. For events just outside Fairlands, we cover Wood Street Village (1 mile south-west), Worplesdon (1 mile north), Willey Green (2 miles west), Stanford Common (2 miles north-west) and Onslow Village (2 miles south). Further out, we also cater in Woking (4 miles north-east), Camberley (7 miles north-west), Farnham (8 miles south-west), Egham (12 miles north), Walton-on-Thames (12 miles north-east) and Dorking (13 miles east).
Other landmarks nearby include Guildford Castle (2.8 miles south-east) and Guildford Cathedral Treasury (1.9 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Littlefield Common and Pewley Hill.
- Schools near Fairlands include Rydes Hill Preparatory School (1 mile south-east) and Kings College Guildford (1.3 miles south-east)
- Pubs nearby include Hare and Hounds pub (0.8 miles south-east)
Why choose live paella in Fairlands?
Next to a hog roast or barbecue, live paella is easier for vegetarian, vegan and halal guests, thanks to separate pans. It’s served quickly from the pan, so queues move. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What you get with us
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
Read Our prices page And Our guide to catering costs.
Events we cater in Fairlands
Outdoor events and live paella go together: cooked outside, served hot and shared.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Typical bookings include:
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Milestone birthday parties
- Company summer parties
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
If you are celebrating after a service at a church like St Alban's Church, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well.
What your quote should include
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- How late numbers can change
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- How long the team stays
Dietary needs and planning tips
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Tell us what else is being served
- Send allergies to us in writing
- Plan a meat, a seafood and a vegetable or vegan pan
The rice takes about 20 minutes once it goes in, so we time it carefully. If timings shift, we adapt.
Crockery, cutlery and waiting staff are available if your venue does not provide them.
Also near Fairlands
More for events in Fairlands
- 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