West Sussex · England
Live paella catering in Houghton, West Sussex
Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Houghton: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Garden get-togethers
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
Paella catering in Houghton
Paella catering for your event in Houghton
Everything is cooked from scratch on site, starting with a slow sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, then the stock, saffron and rice. For family celebrations and christenings and leaving dos and retirements, we will put together a menu of black rice, vegetable paella and vegan paella for your guests.
For a rural spot like Houghton, the countryside is part of the appeal: a huge pan in a garden or field fits perfectly. Tell us about access and the ground. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
- Where
- Houghton (BN18)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Paella catering around Houghton
Houghton is about 6 miles north of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. We cook at events in gardens, halls and venues around Houghton and nearby villages. Houghton is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Houghton to Brighton (about 19 miles away).
For a christening or wedding at a church such as The Parish Church of St Nicholas, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Amberley station, about 0.5 miles north-east. Houghton is within about 2 miles of the South Downs National Park, a lovely setting for an outdoor event. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
Anywhere in BN18, we can cook for your guests. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Arundel (3 miles south), Warningcamp (3 miles south-east), Crossbush (3 miles south), Tortington (4 miles south) and Poling (4 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Worthing (8 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (9 miles south-west), Chichester (11 miles west), Selsey (15 miles south-west), Littlehampton (6 miles south) and Shoreham-by-Sea (13 miles east).
Nearby you’ll also find Arundel and District Hospital (2.7 miles south) and Amberley Castle (1.2 miles north-east). The countryside around Houghton includes Amberley Wild Brooks and Bignor Hill.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Food trucks and street-food vans serve one portion at a time. A paella pan serves many portions quickly, which suits weddings and parties where everyone eats together. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Why book with us
- A clear, itemised quote
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Served hot, straight from the pan
See Our prices page And The cost guide.
How the day works
The paella is cooked in giant, shallow pans over gas burners. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, which we agree with you beforehand. Around midsummer it stays light in Houghton until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening events are usually served in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 4:00pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- We start with a few details about your event.
- You get a menu and an itemised quote.
- Timings, access and the cooking area are agreed in advance.
- On the day, we set up and cook in front of your guests.
- We serve from the pan, then pack down.
Before we arrive
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Plan cover in case of rain
Get a quote
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Catering for every guest
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. Our advice:
- Ask for labels on each pan
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Put allergy details in writing
- Mention any other courses or food
Any staff you book serve and clear, so you can enjoy your guests.
Sangria and bar staff can be added to serve drinks you provide.
DIY paella versus live catering
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Perfect for your event in Houghton
Paella is one of the few dishes that handles mixed diets easily, thanks to separate pans for each version. Everyone gets the same kind of meal.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Naming days and family parties
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
- Staff parties and work lunches
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Dorset House School, can book us as a food stall.
Comparing caterers
- Whether VAT is included
- How each diet is kept separate
- When final numbers are due
- Travel and parking costs
Places near Houghton
Also in Houghton
What’s in the pans
Paella Valenciana
Paella Valenciana is the original: chicken, beans and saffron, rather than seafood. It is a favourite with guests who don’t eat fish.
Mixed paella
Chicken and seafood together, and a popular all-rounder.
Questions from Houghton
Can you cook in Arundel Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, generally the council. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
Can you cook at venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will follow the site rules.
Which paellas do you recommend?
It depends on your guests. Chicken and mixed paellas tend to go first, with seafood and vegetable pans alongside.
Is live paella good for a large crowd?
Yes. Big pans feed a lot of people, and service from the pan is quick.
Do we need to provide equipment?
All cooking kit comes with us. Let us know what your venue has, like tables or crockery.
Can we choose the seafood?
We’ll talk through seafood options when we plan your menu.
What happens if it rains?
We cook under cover, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We will agree a wet-weather plan with you.
How do you work out quantities?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Space, weather and the venue
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We need:
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Somewhere close to park and unload
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Popular choices
- Mixed paella
- Seafood paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegan paella
Prices and what affects them
There is nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- Your choice of paellas
- The length of service
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
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.
Getting an accurate quote
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Roughly how many adults and children
- The courses you’d like
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
Still deciding on the menu? That’s fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
- 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