Hampshire · England
Paella Catering for Monkwood events
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event makes the food a highlight of your event in Monkwood.
- Milestone birthday parties
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Retirement celebrations
Paella catering near Monkwood
Paella catering for your event in Monkwood
The cooking is half the fun. People drift over as the sofrito sizzles and the rice turns gold, and the smell does the rest. We cook paella Valenciana, vegan paella and black rice, and we’re often booked for garden get-togethers and staff parties and work lunches.
In a hamlet or village like Monkwood, your own garden or a neighbour’s field can make a wonderful venue. Mention gates and soft ground when you contact us. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
For event organisers in Monkwood
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Monkwood? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
The process
Your timings come first. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we adjust the cooking so it is still served fresh. Planning an evening event in Monkwood? Sunset is around 8:55pm in late May, 9:20pm at midsummer and 7:10pm in late September; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- First, tell us about your event.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a clear quote.
- Timings, access and the cooking area are agreed in advance.
- We cook live on the day while guests watch.
- It is served straight from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
Before we arrive
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Tell us where to park and unload
Get a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
Read more
Planning the cooking area
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We need:
- Somewhere close to park and unload
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
What we offer
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegan paella
- Seafood paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
Monkwood questions
Is Monkwood too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Do you cater in the South Downs National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Is paella a full meal?
Yes. With bread and salad, paella is a complete main, and tapas or dessert can be added.
How many paellas should we have?
Most events have two or three: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We’ll help you decide the split.
What does paella catering cost?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we will send a quote.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas first, paella to follow.
Can you serve drinks?
Sangria can be added, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
When should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it is short notice, it is worth asking.
Should I cook it myself?
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
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. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
What affects the price in Monkwood
Your quote will be clear and itemised. What affects it most:
- The number of people
- How long we are needed on site
- Distance and access to the venue
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
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 you book.
What we need to know
To speed things up, tell us:
- The date and time of the event
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Anything your venue supplies
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, use our quote form.
Paella compared with other options
For something a little different, live paella brings colour, aroma and a touch of Spain to your event in Monkwood. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Why choose Love Paella in Monkwood
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- We cover Monkwood and the whole of Hampshire
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
Take a look at Our prices page Or Our guide to catering costs.
Also near Monkwood
Also in Monkwood
Diets, allergies and planning
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
- Tell us what else is being served
- Plan a meat, a seafood and a vegetable or vegan pan
- Ask about diets and allergies on your invitation or RSVP
A short rest after cooking helps, and that’s when we invite guests up.
Need plates or staff? We can provide them.
Catering an event in Monkwood
Monkwood is about 6 miles south-west of Alton, in Hampshire. From the centre of Monkwood to the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cater in 683 places in Hampshire. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 18 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Hinton Ampner House (4.8 miles west). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early. Monkwood is within about 7 miles of the South Downs National Park, a lovely setting for an outdoor event. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
Here we cover the SO24 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. Your event could be at a home on Hill Farm Road, Flint Fields and Soame's Lane or the roads around them. If your venue is just outside Monkwood, we also cover Charlwood (1 mile north-east), West Tisted (1 mile south-west), Gilbert Street (1 mile north-west), Kitwood (2 miles north) and Ropley (2 miles north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Basingstoke (14 miles north), Winchester (12 miles west), Havant (15 miles south), Eastleigh (15 miles south-west), Horndean (11 miles south) and Alton (6 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Alton Community Hospital (5.5 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Red Hill and Shutts Copse.
Why choose paella catering in Monkwood?
It suits relaxed, sociable events, where guests can mingle while it cooks and then sit down to share.
Whatever the occasion, live paella can be the centrepiece. We frequently cook for:
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Retirement and leaving parties
For a christening or wedding at a church such as Monkwood Mission Church, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone.
Comparing caterers
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- Whether VAT is included
- The venue requirements
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- 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