West Sussex · England
Live paella catering in Mackerel's Common, West Sussex
Planning paella catering in Mackerel's Common? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Milestone birthday parties
- Company summer parties
Paella catering for Mackerel's Common events
How our paella catering works in Mackerel's Common
Keep it simple, or go all out: just paella, or paella with tapas, desserts and drinks. We will recommend what fits your event. For retirement and leaving parties and weddings and evening receptions, we will put together a menu of black rice, mixed paella and chicken and chorizo paella for your guests.
Somewhere as small as Mackerel's Common, a garden or field is frequently the venue. Tell us about narrow lanes or long drives and we’ll plan for them, and cooking close to where we can park helps. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
- Location
- Mackerel's Common (RH14)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
How we price paella catering
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Whether you need crockery
- Distance and access to the venue
- Starters, canapés and desserts
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Details that help
For a quote, it helps to have:
- The courses you’d like
- The date and rough timings
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- A photo of the space, if you can
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, use our quote form.
Places near Mackerel's Common
Other catering in Mackerel's Common
Perfect for your event in Mackerel's Common
Outdoor events and live paella go together: cooked outside, served hot and shared.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We regularly cater:
- Retirement celebrations
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Community events and fairs
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
Historic houses near Mackerel's Common include Petworth House (4.6 miles south-west). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early.
Comparing caterers
- The wet-weather plan
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- How late numbers can change
- The deposit and payment dates
For event organisers in Mackerel's Common
If you’re organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we are happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Mackerel's Common? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
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.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Mackerel's Common: your questions answered
Which station should guests use for Mackerel's Common?
Billingshurst station, about 4.8 miles south-east of the centre.
Do you come out to small places like Mackerel's Common?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
Is halal food available?
Yes, we do. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in a separate pan.
Do you cover Mackerel's Common?
We do. We cook at events in Mackerel's Common and across West Sussex. Tell us your date and we will check availability.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, it is the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
How long do you need on site?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
How much is live paella catering?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
How the day works
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Your guests are welcome to watch while it cooks. Around midsummer it stays light in Mackerel's Common until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening events are typically served in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 3:55pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- First, you send us your date, venue, numbers and diets.
- We suggest a menu and confirm a quote, including what’s included.
- On the day we arrive in good time, set up and start the stock.
- Your guests watch the paella cook, with any tapas served first.
- We serve it hot from the pan and clear our area when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
How to get a price
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
A closer look at the menu
Mixed paella
A mix of chicken and seafood, for guests who want a bit of everything.
Seafood paella
The secret is a well-made seafood stock. Shellfish goes in towards the end so it stays tender.
Paella compared with other options
For something a little different, live paella adds colour, smell and theatre to your event in Mackerel's Common. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What you get with us
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
What we need at the venue
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Menu ideas
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Seafood paella
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegan paella
- Paella Valenciana
Mackerel's Common: venues, travel and local tips
Mackerel's Common is about 10 miles west of Horsham, in West Sussex. Events in Mackerel's Common are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. We cover all 371 towns and villages in West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 14 miles away.
If you are celebrating after a service at a church like The Parish Church of St John the Baptist, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Billingshurst station, about 4.8 miles south-east.
Paella catering in RH14 is planned around your venue and your guests. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Kirdford (1 mile south), Plaistow (2 miles north), Ifold (2 miles north), Balls Cross (2 miles south-west) and Wisborough Green (2 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Horsham (10 miles east), Broadfield (15 miles east), Storrington (9 miles south-east), Billingshurst (5 miles east), Bewbush (15 miles east) and Angmering (15 miles south).
Green spaces nearby include The Mens and Shillinglee Lake.
- 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