East Sussex · England
Paella Catering in Laughton
Planning paella catering in Laughton? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
Paella catering near Laughton
About our paella catering in Laughton
Paella was made for feeding a crowd: cooked in the open in a big, shallow pan and shared straight from it. That is what we bring to events in Laughton. On the menu are vegan paella, vegetable paella and mixed paella, and we’re regularly asked to cater fairs, fêtes and festivals and engagement and anniversary parties.
For a rural spot like Laughton, the countryside is part of the appeal: a paella cooking in a garden or field feels right at home. Tell us about access and the ground. The paella is served straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
- Area
- Laughton (BN8)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Questions from Laughton
Can you cater a reception after a service at The Parish Church of All Saints?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
How far is Laughton from London?
About 43 miles from central London.
What areas do you cover?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
What is live paella catering?
We set up a cooking area at your venue, cook the paella from scratch in large pans while your guests watch, and serve it straight from the pan.
Is the paella gluten-free?
Yes, on request. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Can you feed plenty of people?
Yes, that’s what it’s made for. We plan the number of pans and serving points around your numbers.
What space do you need to cook?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Typically we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we’ll check with you and the venue.
Why choose paella catering in Laughton?
Live paella is food and a show in one. The pans become a focal point, and the food is hot and generous.
Whatever you’re celebrating in Laughton, paella can be the star of the food. We regularly cater:
- Anniversary celebrations
- Company summer parties
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Garden get-togethers
If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like Laughton Community Primary School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether VAT is included
- Space, access and power needs
- The wet-weather plan
- How each diet is kept separate
Organising for someone else?
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, whether you’re a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Planning the cooking area
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- Level ground for the pans and burners
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
Menu ideas
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Seafood paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
Also near Laughton
Also in Laughton
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Live paella or other catering?
Cold buffets are easy but forgettable, and food can sit out for a while. Paella is cooked in front of your guests and served hot. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why us?
- We cover Laughton and the whole of East Sussex
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
See Our pricing And The cost guide.
Catering for every guest
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To make it work smoothly:
- Confirm allergies by email
- Flag any coeliac guests, not just gluten-free preferences
- Have seats for most of your guests
- Give us separate numbers for children
On the day, you shouldn’t have to think about the food. We arrive in good time, set up, cook and serve, and stay in touch with your venue about timings.
Add canapé tapas with the drinks or table tapas as a starter while the paella cooks.
What affects the price in Laughton
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Distance and access to the venue
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- How many courses
- Waiting and bar staff
Larger events generally cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Details that help
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- The date and time of the event
- What the venue already provides
- Where the event is
- Which courses you have in mind
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can send us your details through our quote form.
Laughton: venues, travel and local tips
Laughton is about 5 miles south of Uckfield, in East Sussex. Tell us where your event in Laughton will be, and we will plan the journey and set-up. Laughton is one of 289 places in East Sussex where we cook. Our events stretch from Laughton to Brighton (12 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Glynde station, about 3.9 miles south-west. For a christening or wedding at a church such as The Parish Church of All Saints, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. The South Downs National Park is within about 6 miles of Laughton, and country venues and gardens there suit live paella perfectly. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
We cover events in every part of BN8 and the streets around it. We can cater an event on streets such as Shortgate Lane, Lewes Road and Pound Lane. Main roads around Laughton include the B2124, so getting the burners and pans to your event is simple. Close by, we cover events in Ripe (2 miles south), Golden Cross (2 miles east), Wickstreet (4 miles south-east), Selmeston (4 miles south) and Berwick (4 miles south). We also cook in nearby towns such as Eastbourne (10 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (15 miles east), Seaford (8 miles south), Lewes (6 miles west), Hailsham (6 miles south-east) and Crowborough (11 miles north).
Nearby you’ll also find Tickerage Castle (5 miles north) and Uckfield Community Hospital (4.8 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Cliffe Hill.
- Local pubs include The Roebuck Inn (less than half a mile north)
How the day works
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you can enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first as the rice is cooking. Planning an evening event in Laughton? Sunset is around 8:50pm in late May, 9:15pm at midsummer and 7:05pm in late September; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- Start with the date, the place and the numbers.
- Expect a menu idea and a clear, itemised price.
- Closer to the day, we confirm timings and the cooking spot.
- On the day we cook live, timed around your event.
- We serve, then leave our area tidy.
How to prepare
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
How to get a price
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, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
- 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