Greater London · England
Live paella catering in Hooley, Greater London
We cook live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Hooley and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Company summer parties
- Big birthdays
Live paella catering in Hooley
Before you choose a spot
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
Hooley is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think before booking.
Popular choices
- Mixed paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegan paella
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Seafood paella
Paella catering in Hooley, cooked live
Live paella works almost anywhere with a level, ventilated spot: a garden, marquee, barn, courtyard or field. On the menu are seafood paella, chicken and chorizo paella and mixed paella, and we are regularly asked to cater wedding breakfasts and evening food and garden get-togethers.
Around Hooley, most London events we are asked about are in gardens, courtyards and hired venues. Parking and loading are the main things to plan, so let us know about parking permits or a driveway. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it’s hot and generous, and a queue moves quickly.
- Where
- Hooley (CR5, RH1)
- County
- Greater London
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
What paella catering costs
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- The number of people
- Your choice of paellas
- How long we are needed on site
- Parking and unloading
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Getting an accurate quote
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Anything your venue supplies
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Any dietary needs and allergies
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, send us your details through our quote form.
Organising for someone else?
If you’re organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we are happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
DIY paella versus live catering
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Catering an event in Hooley
Hooley is about 2 miles south-west of Coulsdon, in Greater London. Whether your event is in the middle of Hooley or on the outskirts, paella catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cook in all 764 towns and villages in Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Hooley to London (about 15 miles away).
Parks such as Shabden Park usually need the owner’s permission for cooking, so ask before you plan a party there. School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Coulsdon Sixth Form College, can book us as a food stall. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 8 miles of Hooley, a lovely setting for an outdoor event. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
Paella catering in CR5 and RH1 is planned around your venue and timings. We can cater an event on streets such as Church Lane Avenue, Church Lane Drive and Brighton Road. Close by, we cover events in Netherne on-the-Hill (1 mile east), Merstham (2 miles south), Mugswell (2 miles south-west), Gatton (2 miles south) and South Merstham (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include London (15 miles north), City of Westminster (15 miles north), Kensington (15 miles north), Brompton (14 miles north), Stockwell (12 miles north) and Orpington (13 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include East Surrey Museum (3.4 miles east) and St Lawrence's Hospital (2.5 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Colley Hill and South London Downs National Nature Reserve.
- Pubs nearby include The White Hart pub (0.7 miles north-west)
Towns and villages near Hooley
More for events in Hooley
Hooley questions
Which station should guests use for Hooley?
Chipstead station, about 1.4 miles north-west of the centre.
We’re having a ceremony at Church of St Margaret: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can we choose the seafood?
Seafood choices are agreed when we plan the menu, including premium options if you want them.
Which paellas suit our guests?
It depends on your guests. Chicken and mixed paellas tend to go first, with seafood and vegetable pans alongside.
Do you bring everything you need?
We bring the pans, burners and ingredients. You provide a suitable spot and access.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes, we do. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in a separate pan.
Where do you cater?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Is live paella good for a large crowd?
Yes. Large pans and fast service from the pan make it well suited to crowds.
The process
Here’s how the day usually runs: we arrive, set up and start cooking, your guests watch the rice cook, and it’s served hot from the pan when you’re ready to eat. Evenings in Hooley stay light until about 9:20pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:05pm; once it is dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
- First, you send us your date, venue, numbers and diets.
- We put together a menu and a clear quote.
- On the day, we set up the burners and pans and get the stock going.
- Your guests watch the paella cook, with any tapas served first.
- We serve from the pan, then clear our cooking area away.
Before we arrive
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
Get a quote
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we’re available that day.
Read more
What’s in the pans
Paella Valenciana
In Valencia, the recipe is fiercely debated. The classic version is chicken, green beans and butter beans with saffron, and it’s a crowd-pleaser.
Seafood paella
Seafood paella starts with a good fish and shellfish stock. Shellfish goes in towards the end so it stays tender.
Who books paella catering in Hooley?
It suits relaxed, sociable events, with guests mingling as it cooks before sitting down to eat.
Here are some of the events we cook for in Hooley and Greater London:
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
- Anniversary celebrations
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Company summer parties
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Chipstead station, about 1.4 miles north-west.
Before you book anyone
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Travel and parking costs
- Whether VAT is included
- Who provides the crockery
Is live paella right for your event?
If you want something different from the usual buffet or roast, live paella adds colour, smell and theatre to your event in Hooley. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why choose Love Paella in Hooley
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
Read How we price And The cost guide.
- 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