West Berkshire · England
Paella Catering for Longlane events
Looking for paella catering in Longlane? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
- Engagement and anniversary parties
Planning an event in Longlane?
Live paella in Longlane: local details
Longlane is about 3 miles north of Thatcham, in West Berkshire. Whether your event is in the middle of Longlane or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Longlane is one of 155 places in West Berkshire where we cook. You can also see our page for Reading, about 13 miles away.
For a christening or wedding at a church such as Holy Trinity, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Newbury Racecourse station, about 3.3 miles south. The North Wessex Downs National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Longlane. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
We cater events across the RG18 postcode area and the streets around it. From Sandy Close, Long Lane and Curridge Piece or a nearby road, we can cook there. Other places close to Longlane for paella catering include Curridge (1 mile west), Hermitage (1 mile north-east), Wellhouse (1 mile east), Oare (1 mile north) and Little Hungerford (1 mile north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Newbury (4 miles south-west), Thatcham (3 miles south), Burghfield Common (10 miles east), Speenhamland (3 miles south-west), Hungerford (10 miles west) and Spencers Wood (14 miles east).
Nearby you’ll also find West Berkshire Community Hospital (2.7 miles south) and British Balloon Museum & Library Ltd (3.4 miles south-west). Not far away are Snelsmore Common.
- Pubs nearby include The Bunk Inn (0.5 miles west)
How our paella catering works in Longlane
There is something generous about paella: big pans, bright colours and a crispy base everyone wants a spoonful of. It makes the food an event in itself. For company summer parties and retirement celebrations, we will put together a menu of vegetable paella, chicken and chorizo paella and mixed paella.
For a rural spot like Longlane, the countryside is part of the appeal: a giant pan in a garden or field fits perfectly. Tell us about access and the ground. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
- Where
- Longlane (RG18)
- County
- West Berkshire
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Before you choose a spot
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before you book.
On the menu in Longlane
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Black rice (arroz negro)
Should I cook it myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Why choose paella catering in Longlane?
Live paella is made for outdoor events: cooked outside, served hot and shared.
Big or small, live paella works well. Common bookings include:
- Birthday celebrations
- Company summer parties
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Weddings and evening receptions
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Curridge Primary School, can book us as a food stall.
What your quote should include
- Allergen information for each dish
- Staff numbers and hours
- When payment is due
- Any travel, parking or access charges
Longlane questions
Can you cater a reception after a service at Holy Trinity?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is usually elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Do you cater in the North Wessex Downs National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will work to whatever the site needs.
Will there be enough food?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Do you do starters?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
What do you need at the venue?
Less than you might think: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. Send us a photo if you’re not sure.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Should we have more than one paella?
Normally two or three, so every guest has a choice. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we’ll suggest the mix.
How long does the paella take?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
Other catering in Longlane
Live paella or other catering?
For something a little different, live paella adds colour, smell and theatre to your event in Longlane. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What you get with us
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- No hidden extras in your quote
Take a look at How we price Or What paella catering costs.
Step by step
Your timings come first. If things run behind, we hold the paella at the right stage so it is still served fresh. In Longlane, the sun sets at about 9:25pm in late June and about 7:10pm in late September, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 4:00pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- Send us your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan a menu that covers every diet.
- We arrive early to set up the burners and pans.
- The paella cooks as guests gather round.
- Service is straight from the pan, then we pack down.
Preparing for the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Give us a contact for the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
Get a quote
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, use our quote form.
Planning help
Working with your venue
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Longlane? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
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.
Planning for every diet
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because every paella has its own pan. A few tips:
- Tell us what else is being served
- Ensure most guests can sit to eat
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Tell us about coeliac guests specifically
Paella is best eaten as soon as it is ready, so we plan service for when guests are ready to eat.
Add canapé tapas with the drinks or table tapas as a starter as the rice cooks.
A closer look at the menu
Mixed paella
Mixed paella brings meat and seafood together, and it is frequently the first pan to empty.
Vegetable and vegan paella
Seasonal vegetables on a rich sofrito base make a proper main dish. For vegans, the stock is plant-based.
- 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