Surrey · England
Paella Catering for Great Burgh events
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event turns food into part of your event in Great Burgh.
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Garden get-togethers
Paella catering for Great Burgh events
Paella catering in Great Burgh, cooked live
Paella is generous food: big pans, bright colours and a crispy base everyone wants a spoonful of. It turns a meal into an occasion. On the menu are black rice, chicken and chorizo paella and vegan paella, and typical bookings are for birthday celebrations and retirement and leaving parties.
A place like Great Burgh frequently has a hall, a club or a pub garden nearby; any can work for paella, with permission and somewhere outside to cook. We serve straight from the pan, so it’s hot and generous, and service is quick once it is ready.
Dishes our guests love
Black rice
Squid ink rice is bold and savoury.
Seafood paella
Seafood paella starts with a good fish and shellfish stock. The shellfish is added late so it stays tender.
Great Burgh: venues, travel and local tips
Great Burgh is about 2 miles south-east of Epsom, in Surrey. For an event in Great Burgh, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. We cater in 395 places across Surrey. Our events stretch from Great Burgh to London (14 miles away).
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Shawley Community Primary School, can book us as a food stall. For guests coming by train, Great Burgh has its own station, Tattenham Corner station. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Great Burgh, a lovely setting for an outdoor event. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
Anywhere in KT18, KT17 and KT20, we can bring paella catering to you. From Upland Drive, Upland Way and Downland Way or a nearby road, we can cook there. You’ll find Great Burgh on the B290 and B2221, so it is easy for us to reach with the van and pans. For events just outside Great Burgh, we cover Tattenham Corner (1 mile west), Burgh Heath (1 mile east), Epsom Downs (1 mile north-west), Nork (1 mile north-east) and Langley Vale (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include Guildford (15 miles west), Woking (15 miles west), Horley (10 miles south), Redhill (6 miles south-east), Ewell (3 miles north) and Reigate (5 miles south).
Nearby you will also find The Ashley Centre (2.1 miles north-west) and Cockney Museum (3.7 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Cuddington Meadows and Colley Hill.
- Schools near Great Burgh include Aberdour School (0.8 miles east) and The Beacon School (0.9 miles east)
- Local pubs include Derby Arms (0.9 miles west)
What happens on the day
When the rice goes in, it is left alone. That’s what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. The smell usually draws people over. In Great Burgh, the sun sets at about 9:20pm in late June and about 7:05pm in late September, so summer evening events are usually served in daylight. For winter events, when it is dark by about 3:55pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- Send us 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.
How to prepare
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Leave space around the cooking area
Getting a price
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
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How we price paella catering
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Your choice of paellas
- How many guests are eating
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
What we need to know
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- Anything your venue supplies
- A picture of the space, if you can
- The venue or postcode
- Your date and when you want to eat
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Should I cook it myself?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Nearby places to Great Burgh
Also in Great Burgh
Planning the cooking area
No two venues are the same, so we will ask about yours before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Somewhere close to park and unload
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
Menu ideas
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Seafood paella
- Vegetable paella
Great Burgh: your questions answered
Can you cook at venues in the Surrey Hills National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll follow the site rules.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Mark?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, and it’s a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
How do you work out quantities?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a sensible margin. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
How long do you need on site?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and meat eaters frequently go back for seconds. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
Is paella a full meal?
Paella is a meal in itself. Tapas and desserts can be added if you like.
How far ahead should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Popular dates book up first, so get in touch early.
Live paella or other catering?
A cold buffet is simple but has no theatre, and food can sit out for a while. Paella is cooked live and served hot. Got a budget? Let us know, and we will put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Why Great Burgh hosts choose us
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Catering across Surrey, including Great Burgh
- Served hot, straight from the pan
For planners, venues and organisers
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will talk you through the process. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
Planning for every diet
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:
- Have seats for most of your guests
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
- Give us separate numbers for children
- Send allergies to us in writing
After service, we pack down our cooking area, quietly and quickly.
Finish with churros, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago.
- 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