Live paella catering, cooked fresh at your event · London and the South East
A giant pan of seafood paella with mussels and prawns cooking over a burner

West Sussex · England

Paella Catering in Pickhurst

Planning paella catering in Pickhurst? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.

  • Weddings, from canapés to evening food
  • Community events and fairs
  • Garden parties and summer barbecues

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Paella catering near Pickhurst

FAQs for Pickhurst

Which station should guests use for Pickhurst?

Pulborough station, about 1.4 miles south of the centre.

Do you cater in the South Downs National Park?

Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll follow the site rules.

Is the paella cooked on site?

It is. We arrive with everything we need and cook it there and then, then serve straight from the pan.

How do you work out quantities?

Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Accurate numbers help.

How much does paella catering cost in Pickhurst?

Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers and we’ll reply with a price.

Can we choose the seafood?

Tell us your preferences and we’ll suggest seafood options to suit your menu and budget. Premium shellfish can be added.

Can you serve tapas as well?

Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.

Do you offer halal options?

Yes, on request. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and it’s cooked separately.

Paella catering in Pickhurst, cooked live

Keep it simple, or go all out: paella on its own, or with canapés, table tapas, desserts and sangria. We’ll suggest what suits your event. For weddings and evening receptions and leaving dos and retirements, we will put together a menu of seafood paella, mixed paella and vegan paella and more.

Somewhere as small as Pickhurst, a garden or field is frequently the venue. Country lanes and long drives are no problem if we know about them, and a firm spot near where we park makes set-up easier. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.

Seafood paella with mussels, prawns and saffron rice in a very large pan
Area
Pickhurst (RH20)
County
West Sussex
Special diets
Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
Extras
Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
Quote
Contact us for a quote
Page updated
23 October 2026

What affects the price in Pickhurst

There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:

  • Waiting and bar staff
  • Distance and access to the venue
  • How long we’re needed on site
  • 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’ll suggest a menu.

What we need to know

We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:

  • Diets and allergies you know about
  • A picture of where we’d cook
  • Anything your venue supplies
  • Which courses you have in mind

Planning paella catering in Pickhurst? Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back with ideas and a quote. To contact us, fill in our quote form.

Perfect for your event in Pickhurst

Outdoor events and live paella go together: it is cooked in the open, served hot and eaten together.

Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We frequently cook for:

  • Christenings and family gatherings
  • Leaving dos and retirements
  • Engagement and anniversary parties
  • Milestone birthday parties

Nearby historic houses include Old Place Manor (1.2 miles south) and Petworth House (4.1 miles west). Historic venues often limit cooking, so ask early if you are booking one.

Before you book anyone

  • How bad weather is handled
  • The venue requirements
  • Who provides the crockery
  • What the price includes, item by item

12 questions to ask before booking

How the day works

Expect a friendly, organised team. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up the pans and burners, and cook and serve without fuss. Planning an evening event in Pickhurst? Sunset is around 8:50pm in late May, 9:20pm at midsummer and 7:05pm in late September; once it is dark, we need light to cook and serve by.

  1. Contact us with the basics: when, where and how many.
  2. We come back with paellas to suit your guests, plus any extras.
  3. A week or so before, we confirm the plan.
  4. We set up, cook from scratch and keep an eye on your timings.
  5. Guests are served from the pan, and our area is cleared afterwards.

Before we arrive

  • Give us your final numbers and diets
  • Share the running order, including any speeches
  • Tell us where to park and unload

How to get a price

Send us the date, your venue or RH20 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and we’ll reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just fill in our quote form.

Ask for a quote

Planning help

Live paella or other catering?

With a barbecue, food comes in waves. Paella is ready all at once, so everyone eats together. Got a budget? Let us know, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.

Why Pickhurst hosts choose us

  • No hidden extras in your quote
  • Every diet catered for, pan by pan
  • Served hot, straight from the pan
  • Drinks service on request

Take a look at How we price Or Our guide to catering costs.

Dishes our guests love

Paella Valenciana

In Valencia, the recipe is fiercely debated. The classic version is chicken, green beans and butter beans with saffron, and it is a crowd-pleaser.

Mixed paella

Chicken and seafood together, for guests who want a bit of everything.

Should I cook it myself?

If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.

Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. 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.

Planning live paella in Pickhurst

Pickhurst is about 11 miles south-west of Horsham, in West Sussex. Whether your event is in the middle of Pickhurst or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Pickhurst is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex we cover. Our nearest city page is Guildford, about 19 miles away.

For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Pulborough station, about 1.4 miles south. The South Downs National Park is within about 5 miles of Pickhurst. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.

We cover events in every part of RH20. Close by, we cover events in Pulborough (1 mile south-east), Bedham (2 miles west), Hardham (2 miles south), Fittleworth (2 miles south-west) and Lower Horncroft (3 miles south-west). Further out, we also cater in Horsham (11 miles north-east), Worthing (12 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (15 miles south-west), Chichester (15 miles south-west), Littlehampton (11 miles south) and Shoreham-by-Sea (15 miles south-east).

Nearby you’ll also find Coates Castle (3.6 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include The Mens.

Map of Pickhurst © OpenStreetMap contributors

Where we can cook in Pickhurst

Every venue is different, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:

  • Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
  • Level ground for the pans and burners
  • Parking close enough to carry equipment

If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.

Menu ideas

  • Paella Valenciana
  • Chicken & chorizo paella
  • Vegan paella
  • Vegetable paella
  • Seafood paella
  • Mixed paella
  • Black rice (arroz negro)

See the full menu

For planners, venues and organisers

Hosting a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.

Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Pickhurst? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.

  • 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

See the menu · How it works · Get a quote