West Sussex · England
Paella Catering in Iping
Paella for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event for events in Iping.
- Festivals, fairs and school events
- Company summer parties
- Summer garden parties
Paella catering near Iping
How our paella catering works in Iping
Paella has always been food for a crowd: cooked outdoors in a wide, shallow pan and shared. That is what we bring to events in Iping. On the menu are seafood paella, vegetable paella and black rice, and we’re regularly asked to cater fairs, fêtes and festivals and retirement celebrations.
Somewhere like Iping, 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.
- Where
- Iping (GU29)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Dishes our guests love
Paella Valenciana
Valencians take their paella seriously. The traditional pan has chicken, flat green beans and butter beans, and it is a crowd-pleaser.
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 an event in Iping
Iping is about 7 miles east of Petersfield, in West Sussex. We cater events at homes, gardens and venues in Iping and nearby villages. We cook in 371 places across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Iping to Guildford (19 miles away).
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Stedham Primary School, can book us as a food stall. If you’re celebrating after a service at a church like Church of St Mary, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. The South Downs National Park is within about 3 miles of Iping. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
Here we cover the GU29 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. Other places close to Iping for paella catering include Stedham (1 mile south-east), Minsted (1 mile south), Woolbeding (1 mile east), Bepton Common (2 miles south-east) and Midhurst (2 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (15 miles south), Chichester (11 miles south), Emsworth (12 miles south-west), Billingshurst (15 miles east), Portfield (11 miles south) and Yapton (15 miles south-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Midhurst Museum (2.2 miles south-east) and Midhurst Community Hospital (2.2 miles east). Not far away are Iping and Stedham Commons and Wheeler's Down.
- Nearby schools include Midhurst Rother College (2.2 miles east)
Is live paella right for your event?
Compared with a hog roast or barbecue, paella makes vegetarian, vegan and halal guests easier to cater for, thanks to separate pans. It is served quickly from the pan, so queues move. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before you book.
Why Iping hosts choose us
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Drinks service on request
- We cover Iping and the whole of West Sussex
See How we price And The cost guide.
Why choose paella catering in Iping?
Live paella is made for outdoor events: cooked outside, served hot and shared.
Here are some of the events we cook for:
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Big birthdays
- Leaving dos and retirements
Nearby historic houses include Cowdray House (2.5 miles east). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early.
What to look for in a quote
- When payment is due
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- What happens if it rains
- How late numbers can change
Dietary needs and planning tips
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Ask for labels on each pan
- Plan seating for most guests: paella is easiest eaten sitting down
- Put allergy details in writing
- Add a dietary question to your invitations
Once the rice is in, it needs about 20 minutes, so we time it carefully. If plans change, tell us and we will adjust.
Finish with churros, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago.
Nearby places to Iping
More for events in Iping
What paella catering costs
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- How many courses
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Parking and unloading
- Guest numbers
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Getting an accurate quote
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Expected numbers
- The venue or postcode
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
What we need at the venue
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
On the menu in Iping
- Mixed paella
- Seafood paella
- Vegetable paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegan paella
What happens on the day
Your timings come first. If things run behind, we hold the paella at the right stage so it’s served at its best. In Iping, the sun sets at about 9:20pm in late June and about 7:05pm in late September, so summer evening events are normally served in daylight. For winter events, when it’s dark by about 4:00pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- First, tell us about your event.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a clear quote.
- We agree timings, access and the cooking spot.
- 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
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Get a quote
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate 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.
Read more
Should I cook it myself?
Weighing up DIY against 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.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Iping: your questions answered
We are having a ceremony at Church of St Mary: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is typically elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
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’ll follow the site rules.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
Yes, if you need them. Tell us what your venue provides and we’ll include the rest in the quote.
How much paella per person?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Tell us what else is being served. Our guide to portions explains more.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain does not stop us, as long as there’s a ventilated cover. We will make a plan B with you.
Does paella work for big events?
Yes, that is what it’s made for. We plan the number of pans and serving points around your numbers.
What equipment do you bring?
All cooking kit comes with us. Let us know what your venue has, like tables or crockery.
How soon do we need to book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Even if it is short notice, it’s worth asking.
- 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