West Sussex · England
Paella Catering for Lodsworth events
Paella for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Lodsworth.
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Leaving dos and retirements
Paella catering in Lodsworth
Dietary needs and planning tips
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Plan seating for most guests: paella is easiest eaten sitting down
- Mention any other courses or food
- Give us separate numbers for children
- Ask about diets and allergies on your invitation or RSVP
Once the rice is in, it needs about 20 minutes, so we time it carefully. If plans change, tell us and we will adjust.
Crockery, cutlery and waiting staff are available if your venue doesn’t provide them.
About our paella catering in Lodsworth
Paella has always been food for a crowd: cooked outdoors in a wide, shallow pan and shared. That’s exactly what we bring to your event in Lodsworth. Typical bookings include engagement and anniversary parties and weddings, from canapés to evening food, serving paella Valenciana, vegan paella and seafood paella.
In a hamlet or village like Lodsworth, your own garden or a neighbour’s field can make a wonderful venue. Mention gates and soft ground when you contact us. You’ll know exactly what’s included before booking: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose.
- Location
- Lodsworth (GU28)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
What happens on the day
Here’s how the day usually runs: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, your guests watch the rice cook, and it’s served hot from the pan at the agreed time. Around midsummer it stays light in Lodsworth until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. For winter events, when it’s dark by about 4:00pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- Get in touch with the basics: when, where and how many.
- We come back with paellas to suit your guests, plus any extras.
- Closer to the day, we confirm timings and the cooking spot.
- On the day we cook live, timed around your event.
- Guests are served from the pan, and our area is cleared afterwards.
Before we arrive
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
Ask for a quote
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, use our quote form.
Read more
Where we can cook in Lodsworth
We’ll be honest if a space won’t work. The main points are:
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
On the menu in Lodsworth
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegan paella
- Seafood paella
- Mixed paella
Lodsworth: your questions answered
How far is Lodsworth from London?
Roughly 43 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
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 cover Lodsworth?
Yes, we do. Lodsworth is one of the places we cover. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
Is paella a full meal?
Yes. Paella with bread and salad makes a full main course.
How does live paella catering work?
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 it really cooked live?
It is. We arrive with everything we need and cook it there and then, serving it hot from the pan.
Are premium seafood options available?
We will talk through seafood options when we plan your menu.
Can you cook in the rain?
We cook under cover, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We’ll agree a wet-weather plan with you.
DIY paella versus live catering
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.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
What’s in the pans
Mixed paella
A mix of chicken and seafood, for guests who want a bit of everything.
Vegetable and vegan paella
The vegetable pan is a dish in its own right: peppers, artichokes and beans with saffron, cooked in its own pan.
Also near Lodsworth
What else we do in Lodsworth
Occasions we cook for in Lodsworth
Live paella is food and a show in one. The cooking becomes the centre of the event, and the food itself is hot and plentiful.
These are some of the occasions we cater in Lodsworth and West Sussex:
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Summer garden parties
- Birthday celebrations
For a christening or wedding at a church such as The Parish Church of St Peter, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone.
What to look for in a quote
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- Staff numbers and hours
- How late numbers can change
- Payment terms and deposit
Planners, venues and businesses
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
Catering an event in Lodsworth
Lodsworth is about 11 miles east of Petersfield, in West Sussex. Anywhere in GU28, we will come to your venue or garden. We cook in 371 places in West Sussex. We cook right across the region, from Lodsworth to Guildford (18 miles away).
Historic houses near Lodsworth include Cowdray House (2.4 miles south-west) and Petworth House (3.2 miles east). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early. The South Downs National Park is within about 3 miles of Lodsworth, and country venues and gardens there suit live paella perfectly. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
Paella catering in GU28 is planned around your venue and your guests. From The Street, Shepherds Lane and The Croft or anywhere nearby, we will bring the pans to you. We also cook at events in Lickfold (2 miles north), Lurgashall (2 miles north), Ebernoe (4 miles north-east), Northchapel (4 miles north-east) and Ansteadbrook (6 miles north). We also cook in nearby towns such as Bognor Regis (15 miles south), Chichester (12 miles south), Littlehampton (15 miles south-east), Emsworth (15 miles south-west), Rustington (15 miles south-east) and Storrington (12 miles south-east).
Well-known places in the area include Midhurst Museum (2.7 miles west) and Midhurst Community Hospital (2.4 miles west). Not far away are Blackdown and Graffham Common.
- Nearby, you’ll find The Hollist Arms Public House (under half a mile south)
Prices and what affects them
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- The paellas you choose
- Timings and hours
- The number of people
- Distance and access to the venue
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 booking.
Getting an accurate quote
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- The address or venue name
- Expected numbers
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we’re available that day.
- 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