West Sussex · England
Paella Catering in Haywards Heath
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Haywards Heath. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Summer garden parties
- Anniversary celebrations
Paella catering near Haywards Heath
Paella catering in Haywards Heath, made fresh on the day
Paella was made for feeding a crowd: cooked outdoors in a wide, shallow pan and shared. That’s exactly what we bring to your event in Haywards Heath. Typical bookings include anniversary celebrations and weddings, from canapés to evening food, serving vegan paella, paella Valenciana and chicken and chorizo paella.
In Haywards Heath, live paella generally means a garden, a hall with outdoor space or a hired venue. Each works well, as long as there is a level spot to cook and somewhere close to park. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: the menu, the staff and any extras, with no surprises on the day.
- Location
- Haywards Heath (RH16, RH17)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
How it works
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Your guests are welcome to watch while it cooks. Evenings in Haywards Heath stay light until about 9:20pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:05pm; 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 in good time to set up.
- 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
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Tell us where to park and unload
Ask for a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Related guides
About the dishes
Paella Valenciana
In Valencia, the recipe is fiercely debated. The classic version is chicken, green beans and butter beans with saffron.
Vegetable and vegan paella
Seasonal vegetables on a rich sofrito base make a paella that stands on its own. Vegan versions use plant-based stock.
Catering for every guest
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Here’s how:
- Plan a meat, a seafood and a vegetable or vegan pan
- Put allergy details in writing
- Make sure each pan is labelled
- Plan seating for most guests: paella is easiest eaten sitting down
Any staff you book serve and clear, so you can relax.
Tapas or canapés make a good start while the paella cooks.
Working with your venue
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Events in public spaces, like parks, typically need permission. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
Haywards Heath: your questions answered
How far is Haywards Heath from London?
About 35 miles from central London, and well within our area.
Can you cook at venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will follow the site rules.
How much paella per person?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.
What does paella catering cost?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers and we will reply with a price.
Can you cook indoors?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Is the paella cooked on site?
It is. We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook on the day, then serve straight from the pan.
Do you bring everything you need?
All cooking kit comes with us. Let us know what your venue has, like tables or crockery.
Should we have more than one paella?
Normally two or three, so every guest has a choice. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
Paella compared with other options
Food trucks and street-food vans serve one portion at a time. A big pan serves many guests fast, so everyone can eat at the same time. Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We’ll send you a quote.
Why book with us
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
Take a look at Our pricing Or What paella catering costs.
Occasions we cook for in Haywards Heath
It is ideal for relaxed, sociable occasions, with guests mingling as it cooks before sitting down to eat.
If you are planning any of these, we can help:
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Festivals, fairs and school events
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Office lunches and staff parties
For a christening or wedding at a church such as Church of the Presentation, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone.
Questions to ask before you book
- How each diet is kept separate
- Travel and parking costs
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- What the price includes, item by item
Also near Haywards Heath
What else we do in Haywards Heath
What we need at the venue
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space when you get in touch. In general, we need:
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
What we offer
- Vegetable paella
- Seafood paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Paella Valenciana
- Mixed paella
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
Planning live paella in Haywards Heath
Haywards Heath is about 9 miles south-east of Crawley, in West Sussex. For paella catering in Haywards Heath, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Haywards Heath. We cater in 371 places across West Sussex. Our nearest city page is Brighton, about 12 miles away.
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Warden Park Primary Academy, can book us as a food stall. Nearby historic houses include Ockenden Manor (2.1 miles west) and Tyes Place (4.1 miles north-west). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early. Haywards Heath is within about 6 miles of the South Downs National Park. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
Wherever your event is in RH16 and RH17, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. From Church Road, Market Place and High Street or a nearby road, we’ll bring the pans to you. You will find Haywards Heath on the A272 and B2028, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. Other places close to Haywards Heath for paella catering include Scaynes Hill (2 miles east), Wivelsfield (2 miles south), Wivelsfield Green (3 miles south-east), Ditchling Common (4 miles south) and North Chailey (4 miles south-east). Further out, we also cater in Crawley (9 miles north-west), Horsham (11 miles north-west), Burgess Hill (3 miles south-west), East Grinstead (10 miles north-east), Shoreham-by-Sea (14 miles south-west) and Lancing (15 miles south-west). As one of the bigger places in West Sussex, Haywards Heath has lots of places to hold an event.
Well-known places in the area include Waterbury Castle (3.8 miles north-east) and St Francis & Hurstwood Park Hospital Museum (0.8 miles north). Open spaces near Haywards Heath include Ashenground and Bolnore Woods.
- Local schools include Oathall Community College (0.5 miles north) and Tavistock and Summerhill School (0.8 miles north)
- Local pubs include The Heath Tavern (within half a mile south)
- 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