West Sussex · England
Paella Catering for Lumley events
Planning paella catering in Lumley? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Garden get-togethers
- Retirement celebrations
Paella catering for Lumley events
Prices and what affects them
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Waiting and bar staff
- Distance and access to the venue
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is often good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
Getting an accurate quote
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Where the event is
- Anything your venue supplies
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
About our paella catering in Lumley
Almost any venue with a level, ventilated spot will do: a garden, marquee, barn, courtyard or field in and around Lumley. On the menu are paella Valenciana, vegetable paella and black rice, and we’re regularly asked to cater family celebrations and christenings and weddings, from canapés to evening food.
Somewhere as small as Lumley, a garden or field is often the venue. Tell us about narrow lanes or long drives and we’ll plan for them, and a firm spot near where we park makes set-up easier. We serve straight from the pan, so it’s hot and generous, and service is quick once it’s ready.
- Location
- Lumley (PO10)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Common questions in Lumley
Can you cook near the sea around Lumley?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Do you come out to small places like Lumley?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, in front of your guests.
When should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it’s short notice, it’s worth asking.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria, yes. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
How much is live paella catering?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Paella catering around Lumley
Lumley is about 1 mile east of Emsworth, in West Sussex. For paella catering in Lumley, we plan around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cook in all 371 towns and villages in West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 21 miles away.
Thinking of a picnic-style party in Eames Farm? Public parks generally need permission from the council or landowner for cooking, so check first. For guests coming by train, Emsworth station is in Lumley itself. Lumley is within about 6 miles of the sea, and seafood paella always feels right near the sea. Sea breezes can be strong, so we plan a sheltered cooking spot.
This part of West Sussex takes in PO10, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. Local streets include Lumley Road and Northlands Park; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Other places close to Lumley for paella catering include Emsworth (1 mile west), Westbourne (1 mile north), Southbourne (1 mile east), Woodmancote (1 mile north-east) and Denvilles (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (12 miles east), Chichester (7 miles east), Selsey (10 miles south-east), Portfield (7 miles east), Yapton (14 miles east) and East Wittering (7 miles south-east).
Well-known places in the area include Warblington Castle (1.6 miles west) and Emsworth Museum (within half a mile south-west). Green spaces nearby include Stoke Down and Brook Meadow (Emsworth).
- Local schools include Bourne Community College (0.8 miles east)
- Nearby, you’ll find Lord Raglan P.H. Pub (under half a mile south)
Dietary needs and planning tips
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Here’s how:
- Count adults and children separately
- Flag any coeliac guests, not just gluten-free preferences
- Have seats for most of your guests
- Mention any other courses or food
Once the rice is in, it needs about 20 minutes, so we start it at the right moment for your event. If plans change, tell us and we’ll adjust.
Crockery, cutlery and waiting staff are available if your venue doesn’t provide them.
Also near Lumley
Also in Lumley
Planning the cooking area
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
On the menu in Lumley
- Vegan paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Organising for someone else?
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
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.
A closer look at the menu
Vegetable and vegan paella
Seasonal vegetables on a rich sofrito base make a paella that stands on its own. For vegans, the stock is plant-based.
Mixed paella
A mix of chicken and seafood, and a popular all-rounder.
How it works
We get there well before serving, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Your guests are welcome to watch while it cooks. In Lumley, the sun sets at about 9:20pm in late June and about 7:05pm in late September, so summer evening events are usually served in daylight. For winter events, when it’s dark by about 4:00pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- Start with the date, the place and the numbers.
- We come back with paellas to suit your guests, plus any extras.
- A week or so before, we confirm the plan.
- We set up, cook from scratch and keep an eye on your timings.
- Guests are served from the pan, and our area is cleared afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Getting a price
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Read more
Occasions we cook for in Lumley
It suits relaxed, sociable events, with guests mingling as it cooks and then sit down to share.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In Lumley, people book us for occasions like:
- Big birthdays
- Garden get-togethers
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Festivals, fairs and school events
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as St James Church of England Controlled Primary School, can book us as a food stall.
Questions to ask before you book
- Payment terms and deposit
- Who provides the crockery
- When final numbers are due
- How long the team stays
- 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