Surrey · England
Live paella catering in Parkgate, Surrey
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event for events in Parkgate and across Surrey.
- Garden get-togethers
- Milestone birthday parties
- Community events and fairs
Book paella catering in Parkgate
How our paella catering works in Parkgate
Keep it simple, or go all out: just paella, or paella with tapas, desserts and drinks. We will suggest what suits your event. For milestone birthday parties and festivals, fairs and school events, we’ll put together a menu of seafood paella, vegan paella and chicken and chorizo paella.
Somewhere as small as Parkgate, a garden or field is frequently the venue. Tell us about narrow lanes or long drives and we will plan for them, and cooking close to where we can park helps. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
Diets, allergies and planning
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because every paella has its own pan. A few tips:
- Count adults and children separately
- Choose two or three paellas so every guest has a choice
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Tell us about coeliac guests specifically
Any staff you book serve and clear, so you can relax.
Add canapé tapas with the drinks or table tapas as a starter while the paella cooks.
Questions from Parkgate
Do you cater in the Surrey Hills 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.
How far is Parkgate from London?
Roughly 23 miles from the centre of London.
How far ahead should we book?
The sooner the better. Popular dates book up first, so get in touch early.
Can you feed plenty of people?
Yes, that is what it’s made for. We plan the number of pans and serving points around your numbers.
How does live paella catering work?
We bring everything needed to cook on site, cook while everyone watches, and serve when you are ready to eat.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in a separate pan.
How long does the paella take?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Can paella be the only main course?
Yes. With bread and salad, paella is a complete main.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Cold buffets are easy but forgettable, and the food sits out. Paella is cooked live and served hot. The cost per head normally falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why book with us
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Catering across Surrey, including Parkgate
- A clear, itemised quote
Read How we price And Our guide to catering costs.
Step by step
Here’s how the day normally runs: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, your guests watch the rice cook, and we serve straight from the pan at the agreed time. Around midsummer it stays light in Parkgate until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening events are usually served in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 3:55pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- You share your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan the menu with you, including 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
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
Getting a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Planning help
Occasions we cook for in Parkgate
Live paella is made for outdoor events: it’s cooked in the open, served hot and eaten together.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in Parkgate book us for events such as:
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Retirement and leaving parties
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Holmwood station, about 2.1 miles west.
Questions to ask before booking
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Space, access and power needs
- Whether travel is included
- How late numbers can change
Planning live paella in Parkgate
Parkgate is about 4 miles south-east of Dorking, in Surrey. Events in Parkgate are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cater in 395 places in Surrey, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Guildford, about 14 miles away.
Parks such as Newdigate Brickworks normally need the owner’s permission for cooking, so ask before you plan a party there. Parkgate is within about 5 miles of the Surrey Hills National Landscape. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
We cover events in every part of the RH5 postcode area and the streets around it. We can cater an event on streets such as Broad Lane, Mill Lane and Becket Wood. We also cook at events in Shellwood Cross (1 mile north), Newdigate (1 mile south-west), Cudworth (2 miles south), Nalderswood (2 miles north-east) and Norwood Hill (2 miles east). Further out, we also cater in Guildford (14 miles west), Epsom (11 miles north), Horley (5 miles east), Redhill (6 miles north-east), Ewell (12 miles north) and Reigate (5 miles north-east).
Nearby you’ll also find Langley Green Hospital (5.1 miles south-east) and Betchworth Castle (3.8 miles north). Open spaces near Parkgate include Reigate Heath and Leith Hill.
What paella catering costs
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, depending on:
- Waiting and bar staff
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- How many guests are eating
- How long we are needed on site
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Getting an accurate quote
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- What the venue already provides
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The date and time of the event
Thinking about paella catering for your event in Parkgate? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll come back with ideas and a quote. To contact us, send us your details through our quote form.
Places near Parkgate
What else we do in Parkgate
Space, weather and the venue
If a space is not suitable, we will tell you, and help find another spot. The main points are:
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
Menu ideas
- Seafood paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
Should I cook it myself?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
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.
Organising for someone else?
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
- 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