West Sussex · England
Live paella catering in Littlehampton, West Sussex
Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Littlehampton: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Anniversary celebrations
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Milestone birthday parties
Book paella catering in Littlehampton
How our paella catering works in Littlehampton
Watching it cook is part of the experience. People drift over as the sofrito sizzles and the rice turns gold, and the smell does the rest. For big birthdays and company summer parties, we will put together a menu of seafood paella, vegan paella and chicken and chorizo paella for your guests.
In Littlehampton, gardens come in all sizes, and most can host live paella with a little planning. Have a gazebo ready in case of showers. We plan the timings around your day, so the paella is ready when you want to eat.
- Where
- Littlehampton (BN17, BN16)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Paella catering around Littlehampton
Littlehampton is about 6 miles west of Worthing, in West Sussex. From the centre of Littlehampton to the outskirts, paella catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Littlehampton is one of 371 places in West Sussex where we cook. Our nearest city page is Brighton, about 18 miles away.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Littlehampton station, about 0.7 miles west. For a christening or wedding at a church such as The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. The South Downs National Park is within about 7 miles of Littlehampton. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking. The coast is within about a mile of Littlehampton, so a seafood pan is a popular choice. Sea breezes can be strong, so we plan a sheltered cooking spot.
We cater events across the BN17 and BN16 postcode area and the streets around it. Your event could be at a home on High Street, Parkside Avenue and Norman Close. With the A259 and A284 close by, Littlehampton is simple for us to get to for your event. Nearby, we also cater events in Toddington (1 mile north), Rustington (1 mile east), Wick (1 mile north-west), Lyminster (1 mile north-west) and Climping (2 miles west). Further out, we also cater in Worthing (6 miles east), Bognor Regis (7 miles west), Chichester (11 miles west), Selsey (12 miles south-west), Shoreham-by-Sea (12 miles east) and Lancing (9 miles east). Littlehampton is among the bigger towns we cover in West Sussex, with lots of choice for events.
Other landmarks nearby include Zachary Merton Hospital (1.4 miles east) and Lyminster Siege Castle (2.8 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Highdown Hill and WWT Arundel.
- Local schools include Littlehampton College (less than half a mile north) and River Beach Primary School (less than half a mile west)
- Local pubs include New Inn Hotel (0.5 miles south)
Who books paella catering in Littlehampton?
It’s ideal for relaxed, sociable occasions, with guests mingling as it cooks before sitting down to eat.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Big birthdays
- Community events and fairs
- Company summer parties
Historic houses near Littlehampton include Ecclesden Manor (2.9 miles north-east). Historic venues frequently limit cooking, so ask early if you are booking one.
Comparing caterers
- The deposit and payment dates
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- If the price includes VAT
- Staff numbers and hours
Towns and villages near Littlehampton
Other catering in Littlehampton
How we price paella catering
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- Guest numbers
- How long we are needed on site
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Distance and access to the venue
Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
What we need to know
To check availability and price, we need:
- The date and time of the event
- Where the event is
- Anything your venue supplies
- Which courses you have in mind
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can use our quote form.
For planners, venues and organisers
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we’ll talk you through the process. We are happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
What happens on the day
We work to your timings. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we hold the paella at the right stage so it’s still served fresh. In Littlehampton, 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. In December it’s dark by about 4:00pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- You share your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan the menu with you, including every diet.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- The paella cooks as guests gather round.
- We serve hot from the pan and clear our cooking area.
Getting ready for the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Getting a price
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Cold buffets are easy but forgettable, and the food sits out. Paella is cooked in front of your guests and served hot. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We’ll send you a quote.
What you get with us
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
Read Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
Littlehampton questions
Is Littlehampton close to London?
Roughly 51 miles from the centre of 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.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, where your guests can watch.
Is live paella good for a large crowd?
Yes, that’s what it’s made for. We size pans and serving points to your guest list.
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.
Are premium seafood options available?
We’ll suggest seafood to suit your menu and budget. Premium options are available.
What do you need at the venue?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes. Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana, or you can serve your own cake.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
The menu, dish by dish
Mixed paella
Chicken and seafood together.
Black rice
Black rice gets its colour from squid ink, and is usually served with alioli. It’s a striking addition to a seafood menu.
Diets, allergies and planning
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Make sure most guests can sit to eat
- Tell us about coeliac guests specifically
- Ask for labels on each pan
- Put allergy details in writing
Once the rice is in, it needs about 20 minutes, so we start it at the right moment for your event. If timings shift, we adapt.
Crockery, cutlery and waiting staff are available if your venue doesn’t provide them.
- 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