East Sussex · England
Live paella catering in Polegate, East Sussex
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Polegate. We cook from scratch on site, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Festivals, fairs and school events
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
Paella catering near Polegate
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it is in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Paella catering for your event in Polegate
Everything is cooked from scratch on site, starting with a slow sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, then the stock, saffron and rice. Whether it’s leaving dos and retirements and anniversaries and engagement parties, we’ll put together a menu of vegan paella, seafood paella and black rice for your guests.
A place like Polegate frequently has a hall, a club or a pub garden nearby; any can work for paella, with permission and somewhere outside to cook. The paella is served straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and service is quick once it is ready.
- Where
- Polegate (BN26)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning the cooking area
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
Popular choices
- Seafood paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
Your questions about paella catering in Polegate
Can you cook near the sea around Polegate?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Is Polegate close to London?
Roughly 49 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Do you do desserts?
Yes. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
Do you cater in Polegate?
We do. Polegate is one of the places we cover. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
Do you cater for young children?
Children are welcome. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we’ll plan a pan with them in mind.
Where do you cater?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can, if you tell us in advance. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
Is live paella good for a large crowd?
Very much so. We size pans and serving points to your guest list.
The menu, dish by dish
Black rice
Black rice looks dramatic and tastes of the sea, and is popular with adventurous guests.
Paella Valenciana
Valencians take their paella seriously. The classic version is chicken, green beans and butter beans with saffron, and it is a crowd-pleaser.
What paella catering costs
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Waiting and bar staff
- Your choice of paellas
- How many courses
The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Details that help
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- The address or venue name
- The courses you’d like
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, use our quote form.
Nearby places to Polegate
Other catering in Polegate
Step by step
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Your guests are welcome to watch as the paella takes shape. Around midsummer it stays light in Polegate until about 9:15pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:00pm, so summer evening events are typically served in daylight. For winter events, when it is dark by about 3:55pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- Send us your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan a menu that covers every diet.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- The paella cooks as guests gather round.
- We serve hot from the pan and clear our cooking area.
Preparing for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Check the venue allows live cooking
Get a quote
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Planning help
Live paella or other catering?
A cold buffet is simple but has no theatre, and food can sit out for a while. Paella is cooked live and served hot. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Why choose Love Paella in Polegate
- Drinks service on request
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Real theatre, not just catering
Read Our pricing Or The cost guide.
Polegate: venues, travel and local tips
Polegate is about 3 miles south of Hailsham, in East Sussex. Anywhere in BN26, we’ll come to your venue or garden. We cater in all 289 towns and villages in East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Polegate to Brighton (about 17 miles away).
If you’re celebrating after a service at a church like St John's Church of England Church, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like Polegate Primary School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser. The South Downs National Park is within about 5 miles of Polegate. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking. The coast is within about 5 miles of Polegate, and seafood paella always feels right near the sea. Sea breezes can be strong, so we plan a sheltered cooking spot.
This part of East Sussex takes in BN26. Local streets include Station Road, High Street and Church Road; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Main roads around Polegate include the A27 and A2270, so getting the burners and pans to your event is simple. Other places close to Polegate for paella catering include Wannock (1 mile south-west), Lower Willingdon (1 mile south), Willingdon (1 mile south), Filching (2 miles south-west) and Folkington (2 miles west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Eastbourne (3 miles south-east), Hastings (14 miles east), Bexhill-on-Sea (10 miles east), Seaford (7 miles south-west), Lewes (11 miles west) and Hailsham (3 miles north).
A little further out are Burlough Castle (3.4 miles west) and Eastbourne District General Hospital (2.5 miles south). Open spaces near Polegate include Combe Hill.
- Nearby schools include Willingdon Community School (0.8 miles south-west)
- Nearby, you’ll find Horse & Groom pub (less than half a mile south-west)
Who books paella catering in Polegate?
Live paella is food and a show in one. The pans become a focal point, and the food is hot and generous.
We’re booked for all kinds of occasions in Polegate and nearby. Popular bookings include:
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Anniversary celebrations
- Community events and fairs
- Staff parties and work lunches
For guests coming by train, Polegate has its own station, Polegate station.
What your quote should include
- The venue requirements
- Allergen information for each dish
- A clear list of what’s included
- Any travel, parking or access charges
Planners, venues and businesses
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
- 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