West Sussex · England
Paella Catering for Rackham events
Paella for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Rackham.
- Anniversary celebrations
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
- Garden get-togethers
Book paella catering in Rackham
About the dishes
Black rice
Black rice looks dramatic and tastes of the sea.
Mixed paella
Mixed paella brings meat and seafood together, and it is frequently the first pan to empty.
Paella catering in Rackham, made fresh on the day
Live paella catering means we bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients to your event and cook in front of your guests. Once it is ready, we serve it hot from the pan. Whether it’s retirement and leaving parties and milestone birthday parties, we can cook black rice, vegan paella and vegetable paella.
In a rural place like Rackham, the setting does a lot of the work: a huge pan in a garden or field fits perfectly. Let us know about access and ground conditions. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
- Location
- Rackham (RH20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
The process
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. We need a level, ventilated spot, and we agree where that is before the day. Around midsummer it stays light in Rackham until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. For winter events, when it’s dark by about 4:00pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- You tell us the date, venue, guest numbers and any dietary needs.
- You get a suggested menu and an itemised quote.
- On the day we arrive in good time, set up and start the stock.
- The rice cooks in full view, while tapas or canapés go round.
- We serve it hot from the pan and clear our area when service ends.
How to prepare
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
Ask for a quote
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Catering an event in Rackham
Rackham is about 7 miles north of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. We bring paella catering to gardens, halls and venues around Rackham and nearby villages. We cook in all 371 towns and villages in West Sussex. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 17 miles away.
Parks such as Parham Park usually need the owner’s permission for cooking, so ask before you plan a party there. If you are celebrating after a service at a church like Church of St Peter, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. Rackham is within about 2 miles of the South Downs National Park, a lovely setting for an outdoor event. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
Anywhere in RH20, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. If your venue is just outside Rackham, we also cover Cross Gate (1 mile west), Amberley (1 mile west), Coldwaltham (2 miles north-west), Bury (2 miles west) and Hardham (3 miles north). Further out, we also cater in Horsham (13 miles north-east), Worthing (8 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (12 miles south-west), Chichester (13 miles south-west), Littlehampton (7 miles south) and Shoreham-by-Sea (12 miles south-east).
Well-known places in the area include Arundel and District Hospital (4.8 miles south-west) and Amberley Museum (1.8 miles south-west). Not far away are Bignor Hill and Amberley Wildbrooks RSPB Reserve.
Should I cook it myself?
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. 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 enjoy the party, let us cook.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
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 Rackham hosts choose us
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Drinks service on request
Read How we price Or What paella catering costs.
Catering for every guest
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Count adults and children separately
- Send allergies to us in writing
- Add a dietary question to your invitations
- Ensure most guests can sit to eat
Let the paella rest for a few minutes before serving, and that is when we invite guests up.
Sangria and bar staff can be added for your own drinks.
Why choose paella catering in Rackham?
People book live paella because it is food and entertainment at once. The pans become a focal point, and the food itself is hot and plentiful.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Milestone birthday parties
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Family celebrations and christenings
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Amberley station, about 1.9 miles south-west.
Before you book anyone
- When payment is due
- If the price includes VAT
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- The wet-weather plan
Before you choose a spot
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
Popular choices
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegan paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Mixed paella
Working with your venue
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll explain how it works. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Questions from Rackham
Do you come out to small places like Rackham?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
Which station should guests use for Rackham?
The closest is Amberley station, roughly 1.9 miles away.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Of course. We cook vegetarian and vegan paellas in their own pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
What do you need at the venue?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in its own pan.
How long do you need on site?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
What does paella catering cost?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
Which paella is most popular?
It depends on your guests. Chicken and mixed paellas tend to go first, with seafood and vegetable pans alongside.
Places near Rackham
What else we do in Rackham
- 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