Hampshire · England
Paella Catering in Forton
Love Paella cooks live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event across Forton and Hampshire, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
- Company summer parties
Book paella catering in Forton
Catering an event in Forton
Forton is about 1 mile south-east of Gosport, in Hampshire. We bring paella catering to homes, gardens and venues in Forton and nearby villages. Forton is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire we cover. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 14 miles away.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Portsmouth Harbour station, about 1.5 miles east. If you are celebrating after a service at a church like St John the Evangelist, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. The coast is within about 3 miles of Forton, and seafood paella always feels right near the sea. Sea breezes can be strong, so we plan a sheltered cooking spot.
This part of Hampshire takes in PO12 and PO13, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. Streets in the area include Lee Road, Ford Road and Lees Lane, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Close by, we cover events in Gosport (1 mile north-west), Priddy's Hard (1 mile north-east), Elson (1 mile north), Bridgemary (2 miles north-west) and Rowner (2 miles north-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Havant (8 miles north-east), Eastleigh (15 miles north-west), Fareham (4 miles north-west), Horndean (9 miles north-east), Hedge End (11 miles north-west) and Waterlooville (7 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Portchester Castle (2.8 miles north-east) and Search (0.8 miles south-east). Open spaces near Forton include West of the River Alver and Portsdown Hill.
- Nearby schools include St Vincent College (under half a mile east) and Brune Park Community School (0.9 miles north-west)
- Local pubs include The Trafalgar pub (within half a mile south-east)
- Parks and local facilities nearby include Southsea (2.5 miles south-east)
How our paella catering works in Forton
Paella is generous food: huge pans, saffron colour and a toasted crust that everyone fights over. It turns a meal into an occasion. We are frequently asked to cater anniversary celebrations and summer garden parties, with seafood paella, chicken and chorizo paella and mixed paella.
A place like Forton frequently has a hall, a club or a pub garden nearby; any can work for paella, with permission and somewhere outside to cook. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
Also near Forton
Other catering in Forton
Perfect for your event in Forton
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.
In Forton and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Some of the most common are:
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Company summer parties
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Retirement celebrations
If you are organising a summer fair for a school like St Mary's Catholic Primary School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser.
Comparing caterers
- If the price includes VAT
- A clear list of what’s included
- How long the team stays
- Who provides the crockery
Forton questions
Is Forton close to London?
Roughly 66 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
What’s the nearest station to Forton for guests?
Portsmouth Harbour station, about 1.5 miles east of the centre.
What is live paella catering?
We arrive with pans, burners and ingredients, cook while everyone watches, and serve at the time you want.
Where do you cater?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Do you bring everything you need?
We bring the pans, burners and ingredients. You just need a suitable spot and access.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, where your guests can watch.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
When should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Even if it’s short notice, it’s worth asking.
The process
Once the rice is in, we don’t stir it. That is what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. The smell typically draws people over. In Forton, the sun sets at about 9:20pm in late June and about 7:10pm in late September, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 4:00pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- First, you send us your date, venue, numbers and diets.
- We suggest a menu and confirm a quote, including what’s included.
- On the day, we set up the burners and pans and get the stock going.
- The rice cooks in full view, while tapas or canapés go round.
- We serve from the pan, then clear our cooking area away.
Preparing for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Let us know the timings for the day
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
Diets, allergies and planning
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Confirm allergies by email
- Collect dietary needs with your RSVPs
- Tell us about coeliac guests specifically
- Tell us how many children are coming
You shouldn’t have to worry about the food on the day. We arrive in good time, set up, cook and serve, and stay in touch with your venue about timings.
Finish with churros, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago.
The menu, dish by dish
Seafood paella
Seafood paella starts with a good fish and shellfish stock. The shellfish is added late so it stays tender.
Mixed paella
Paella mixta combines meat and seafood in one pan, and it’s often the first pan to empty.
Before you choose a spot
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space when you get in touch. Generally, we look for:
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before booking.
Menu ideas
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Seafood paella
- Vegan paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
Is live paella right for your event?
If you want something different from the usual buffet or roast, live paella brings colour, aroma and a touch of Spain. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so it helps to tell us about your venue. The full price is confirmed before booking.
Why Forton hosts choose us
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
See How we price And The cost guide.
For event organisers in Forton
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.
Organising a club, school or community event in Forton? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
- 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