Hampshire · England
Live paella catering in Hambledon, Hampshire
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event makes the food a highlight of your event in Hambledon.
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Engagement and anniversary parties
Paella catering for Hambledon events
Paella catering in Hambledon, cooked live
Almost any venue with a level, ventilated spot will do: gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and festival fields in and around Hambledon. For retirement and leaving parties and weddings, from canapés to evening food, we’ll put together a menu of mixed paella, black rice and vegan paella for your guests.
Somewhere like Hambledon, a field or garden is often the perfect setting. Gates, verges and soft ground are worth mentioning when you enquire. The paella is served straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and service is quick once it is ready.
Catering for every guest
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To get it right:
- Tell us about coeliac guests specifically
- Tell us what else is being served
- Put allergy details in writing
- Ask for labels on each pan
Paella is at its best straight from the pan, so we plan service for when guests are ready to eat.
Tapas or canapés make a good start as the rice cooks.
Also near Hambledon
Other catering in Hambledon
Should I cook it myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
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 for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Before you choose a spot
We’ll be honest if a space will not work. The main points are:
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
What we offer
- Paella Valenciana
- Mixed paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Seafood paella
Is live paella right for your event?
A cold buffet is simple but has no theatre, and food can sit out for a while. Paella is cooked live and served hot. 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 book with us
- A clear, itemised quote
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
Read How we price Or What paella catering costs.
Dishes our guests love
Seafood paella
Seafood paella starts with a good fish and shellfish stock. Shellfish goes in towards the end so it stays tender.
Mixed paella
Mixed paella brings meat and seafood together.
What affects the price in Hambledon
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- How many guests are eating
- Your choice of paellas
- Whether you need crockery
- How long we’re needed on site
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
What we need to know
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- The courses you’d like
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Where the event is
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we’re available that day.
Your questions about paella catering in Hambledon
Is Hambledon close to London?
About 58 miles from central London, and well within our area.
Do you come out to small places like Hambledon?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
How soon do we need to book?
The sooner the better. Popular dates book up first, so contact us early.
Is paella a full meal?
It is a full meal on its own. Many hosts add tapas first or dessert after.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes, we do. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in its own pan.
Can you cater for children?
Children are welcome. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we will plan for them.
Do you cook inside?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, because we use gas burners. We will check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Step by step
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Guests usually gather round to watch while it cooks. Planning an evening event in Hambledon? Sunset is around 8:55pm in late May, 9:20pm at midsummer and 7:10pm in late September; once it’s dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
- You tell us the date, venue, guest numbers and any dietary needs.
- You get a suggested menu and an itemised quote.
- We arrive early, set up the cooking area and start the stock.
- The rice cooks in full view, while tapas or canapés go round.
- We serve from the pan, then clear our cooking area away.
How to prepare
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
Getting a price
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will send a clear, itemised quote.
Related guides
Planning live paella in Hambledon
Hambledon is about 4 miles north-west of Horndean, in Hampshire. Anywhere in PO7, we can cook for your guests. We cook in 683 places in Hampshire. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 13 miles away.
If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like Hambledon Primary School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser.
We cater events across the PO7 postcode area and the streets around it. Streets in the area include High Street, West Street and The Maltings, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Nearby, we also cater events in Anthill Common (1 mile south), Denmead (2 miles south-east), Anmore (3 miles south-east), Lovedean (3 miles south-east) and Wecock Farm (3 miles south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Winchester (13 miles north-west), Gosport (9 miles south), Havant (6 miles south-east), Eastleigh (12 miles west), Fareham (7 miles south-west) and Horndean (4 miles south-east).
Well-known places in the area include Queen Alexandra Hospital (5.5 miles south) and Clanfield Earthwork (4.7 miles east). The countryside around Hambledon includes Wether Down and St Clair's Meadow.
- Local pubs include The Vine pub (under half a mile north-east)
Events we cater in Hambledon
Outdoor events and live paella go together: it is cooked in the open, served hot and eaten together.
These are some of the occasions we cater:
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Summer garden parties
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
For a christening or wedding at a church such as Church of St Peter and St Paul, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone.
Questions to ask before booking
- The deposit and payment dates
- A clear list of what’s included
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- How long the team stays
- 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