Hampshire · England
Paella Catering for Oliver's Battery 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 Oliver's Battery.
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Company summer parties
- Retirement and leaving parties
Live paella catering in Oliver's Battery
What happens on the day
Serving is fast: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so even a long queue moves. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. In Oliver's Battery, the sun sets at about 9:25pm in late June and about 7:10pm in late September, so summer evening events are generally served 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 the menu with you, including every diet.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- The paella cooks as guests gather round.
- Service is straight from the pan, then we pack down.
Preparing for the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Name one person we can ask on the day
How to get a price
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, use our quote form.
Related guides
Paella catering in Oliver's Battery, made fresh on the day
Almost any venue with a level, ventilated spot will do: gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and festival fields. Typical bookings include staff parties and work lunches and family celebrations and christenings, serving chicken and chorizo paella, paella Valenciana and vegan paella.
In a hamlet or village like Oliver's Battery, your own garden or a neighbour’s field can make a wonderful venue. Mention gates and soft ground when you get in touch. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
Working with your venue
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
Questions from Oliver's Battery
What’s the nearest station to Oliver's Battery for guests?
Shawford station, about 1.9 miles south-east of the centre.
How far is Oliver's Battery from London?
About 63 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
Yes, if you need them. Let us know what you have, and we will quote for the rest.
Do you do starters?
Of course. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, served while the paella cooks.
What does paella catering cost?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
What happens with live paella?
We bring everything needed to cook on site, cook while everyone watches, and serve at the time you want.
How soon do we need to book?
As soon as you have a date. Peak dates go quickly, so it pays to ask early.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather be with your guests, we’ll do the cooking.
A closer look at the menu
Paella Valenciana
The original paella from Valencia is a countryside dish of chicken and vegetables, not seafood. It’s often the most popular pan at an event.
Mixed paella
A mix of chicken and seafood, for guests who want a bit of everything.
Catering an event in Oliver's Battery
Oliver's Battery is about 2 miles south-west of Winchester, in Hampshire. Events in Oliver's Battery are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cater in 683 places in Hampshire. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 9 miles away.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Shawford station, about 1.9 miles south-east. School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Olivers Battery Primary School, can book us as a food stall.
Paella catering in SO22 is planned around your venue and timings. Local streets include Momford Road, Austen Avenue and Sunnydown Road; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. With the A3090 close by, Oliver's Battery is easy for us to reach with everything for your event. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Badger Farm (1 mile east), Stanmore (1 mile north-east), St Cross (1 mile east), Compton (2 miles south) and Winchester (2 miles north-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Eastleigh (5 miles south), Fareham (15 miles south-east), Andover (13 miles north-west), Totton (11 miles south-west), Chandler's Ford (4 miles south) and Hedge End (9 miles south).
A little further out are Winchester Castle (1.8 miles north-east) and Balfour Museum of Hampshire Red Cross History (0.9 miles north). Open spaces near Oliver's Battery include Hockley Meadows and Twyford Down.
- Local schools include Kings' School (1 mile north)
Why choose live paella in Oliver's Battery?
If you want something different from the usual buffet or roast, live paella adds colour, smell and theatre. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
Why Oliver's Battery hosts choose us
- A quote that spells everything out
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Real theatre, not just catering
Read Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
What paella catering costs
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- The paellas you choose
- Timings and hours
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we will suggest a menu.
Getting an accurate quote
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- The venue or postcode
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
To get a price, fill in our quote form. Tell us about your event in Oliver's Battery, and we will put together a menu and price.
Planning the cooking area
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
On the menu in Oliver's Battery
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
- Seafood paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Mixed paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
Planning for every diet
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To get it right:
- Count adults and children separately
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
- Ask about diets and allergies on your invitation or RSVP
On the day, you shouldn’t have to think about the food. We set up, cook and serve, and stay in touch with your venue about timings.
Add canapé tapas with the drinks or table tapas as a starter as the rice cooks.
Places near Oliver's Battery
Other catering in Oliver's Battery
- 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