Isle of Wight · England
Paella Catering for Gatcombe events
Something for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event for events in Gatcombe.
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
Live paella catering in Gatcombe
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s 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.
About our paella catering in Gatcombe
A couple of different pans covers everyone: meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan paellas. Every pan is cooked on its own. Popular choices include chicken and chorizo paella, seafood paella and vegetable paella, and typical bookings are for christenings and family gatherings and company summer parties.
Somewhere like Gatcombe, a field or garden is often the perfect setting. Mention gates and soft ground when you get in touch. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
- Area
- Gatcombe (PO30)
- Area hub
- Isle of Wight
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
The process
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 we time everything to your schedule. Planning an evening event in Gatcombe? Sunset is around 8:55pm in late May, 9:20pm at midsummer and 7:10pm in late September; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- You share your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan a menu that covers every diet.
- We arrive early to set up the burners and pans.
- The sofrito, stock and rice go in, and guests gather to watch.
- Service is straight from the pan, then we pack down.
Getting ready for the day
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
Getting a price
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, use our quote form.
Planning help
Dishes our guests love
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, and is generally served with alioli. It’s a striking addition to a seafood menu.
Mixed paella
A mix of chicken and seafood, and a popular all-rounder.
Questions from Gatcombe
Is Gatcombe 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.
We are having a ceremony at St. Olave's Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking generally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
How much paella per person?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Tell us what else is being served. See how much paella per person.
Is paella a full meal?
Yes. Paella with bread and salad makes a full main course.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Should we have more than one paella?
Generally two or three, so every guest has a choice. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we’ll suggest the mix.
What areas do you cover?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
What do you need at the venue?
Less than you might think: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a photo.
Planners, venues and businesses
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
How we price paella catering
There’s nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- How many guests are eating
- Your choice of paellas
- Timings and hours
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
What to tell us
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- The date and rough timings
- What the venue already provides
- Where the event is
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, plus any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. To get started, fill in our quote form.
Is live paella right for your event?
Compared with a hog roast or barbecue, paella makes vegetarian, vegan and halal guests easier to cater for, thanks to separate pans. It is served quickly from the pan, so queues move. The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
What you get with us
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Sangria and bar staff available
Read Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
Why choose paella catering in Gatcombe?
Paella is quick to serve and suits mixed diets, so it suits all kinds of occasions. It also gives guests something to watch and talk about.
We’re booked for all kinds of occasions in Gatcombe and nearby. Popular bookings include:
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Milestone birthday parties
- Naming days and family parties
Historic houses near Gatcombe include Gatcombe House (within half a mile south-east) and Sheat Manor (0.5 miles south-east). Historic venues frequently limit cooking, so ask early if you are booking one.
Before booking anyone
- Allergen information for each dish
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- If the price includes VAT
- Travel and parking costs
Gatcombe: venues, travel and local tips
Gatcombe is about 2 miles south of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. Whether your event is in the middle of Gatcombe or on the outskirts, paella catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Gatcombe is one of 125 places in the Isle of Wight where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Gatcombe to Southampton (18 miles away).
If you are organising a summer fair for a school like Chillerton and Rookley Primary School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser. For a christening or wedding at a church such as St. Olave's Church, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone.
Wherever your event is in PO30, we can bring paella catering to you. From Gatcombe Road, Rectory Lane and Newbarn Lane or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Nearby, we also cater events in Chillerton (1 mile south), Plaish (2 miles north-west), Clatterford (2 miles north), Bowcombe (2 miles north-west) and Carisbrooke (2 miles north). Larger places within reach include Ryde (8 miles north-east), Cowes (6 miles north), Sandown (6 miles east), Shanklin (6 miles east), Ventnor (6 miles south-east) and East Cowes (6 miles north). Some remote venues need extra planning, so ask early about your event.
Well-known places in the area include Carisbrooke Castle (1.6 miles north) and Isle of Wight Music Museum (2.5 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Briddlesford Nature Reserve and Brighstone Down.
- Nearby schools include Christ The King College (2.1 miles north)
Also near Gatcombe
More for events in Gatcombe
Planning for every diet
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Add a dietary question to your invitations
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
- Let us know about other food at the event
- Ensure each pan is labelled
Any staff you book serve and clear, so you can enjoy your guests.
Bread, salad and lemon go well alongside.
- 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