West Sussex · England
Paella Catering for Rudgwick events
Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Rudgwick: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
- Community events and fairs
- Christenings and family gatherings
Live paella catering in Rudgwick
About our paella catering in Rudgwick
Live paella works almost anywhere with a level, ventilated spot: a garden, marquee, barn, courtyard or field in and around Rudgwick. For wedding breakfasts and evening food and engagement and anniversary parties, we’ll put together a menu of seafood paella, paella Valenciana and vegan paella.
Somewhere like Rudgwick, a field or garden is often the perfect setting. Mention gates and soft ground when you get in touch. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it is hot and generous, and service is quick once it’s ready.
- Where
- Rudgwick (RH12)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Rudgwick: venues, travel and local tips
Rudgwick is about 6 miles west of Horsham, in West Sussex. From the centre of Rudgwick to the outskirts, paella catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Rudgwick is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex where we cook. Our events stretch from Rudgwick to Guildford (12 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Christs Hospital station, about 4.6 miles south-east. School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Rudgwick Primary School, can book us as a food stall. Rudgwick is within about 7 miles of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, a lovely setting for an outdoor event. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
Anywhere in RH12, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Whether your event is on Station Road, Thurne Way and Jubilee Road or a nearby road, we can cook there. For events just outside Rudgwick, we cover Bucks Green (1 mile south-west), Tisman's Common (1 mile west), The Haven (2 miles south), Slinfold (2 miles south-east) and Five Oaks (3 miles south). Further out, we also cater in Crawley (11 miles east), Horsham (6 miles east), Broadfield (10 miles east), Storrington (12 miles south), Billingshurst (5 miles south) and Bewbush (10 miles east).
Other landmarks nearby include Horsham Hospital (5.6 miles east).
- Schools near Rudgwick include Pennthorpe School (less than half a mile south-west)
- Nearby, you will find The Queen's Head Public House (0.5 miles south-west)
FAQs for Rudgwick
Do you cater in the Surrey Hills National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Holy Trinity Church?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Do you do starters?
Yes, it is the classic pairing. Tapas first, paella to follow.
Do you bring everything you need?
All cooking kit comes with us. Tell us what the venue provides, such as tables or crockery.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Courtyards, doorways and terraces often work.
Can you feed plenty of people?
Yes, that is what it’s made for. We size pans and serving points to your guest list.
When should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Even if it is short notice, it’s worth asking.
Who clears up?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Is live paella right for your event?
Vans serve one order at a time. A big pan serves many guests fast, so everyone can eat at the same time. Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
Why book with us
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- A clear, itemised quote
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
Take a look at How we price Or Our guide to catering costs.
Planning the cooking area
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- Level ground for the pans and burners
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Popular choices
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
What affects the price in Rudgwick
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Guest numbers
- Distance and access to the venue
- Whether you need crockery
- Timings and hours
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is often good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
What to tell us
To check availability and price, we need:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The address or venue name
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, plus any dietary needs, and you’ll get a menu idea and a price. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
The menu, dish by dish
Mixed paella
Chicken and seafood together, and a popular all-rounder.
Seafood paella
The secret is a well-made seafood stock. The shellfish is added late so it stays tender.
Towns and villages near Rudgwick
Other catering in Rudgwick
Catering for every guest
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Ensure each pan is labelled
- Give us separate numbers for children
- Tell us about coeliac guests specifically
- Mention any other courses or food
Any staff you book serve and clear, so you can enjoy your guests.
We can add sangria and bar staff for your own drinks.
Perfect for your event in Rudgwick
Live paella is made for outdoor events: cooked outside, served hot and shared.
We’re booked for all kinds of occasions in Rudgwick and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
- Festivals, fairs and school events
- Christenings and family gatherings
If you are celebrating after a service at a church like Holy Trinity Church, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well.
Questions to ask before booking
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- Who provides the crockery
- The deposit and payment dates
- How each diet is kept separate
How the day works
When we arrive, we set up our cooking area, light the burners and start the sofrito. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so the timing is planned around your event. Around midsummer it stays light in Rudgwick 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 is dark by about 3:55pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- Start with the date, the place and the numbers.
- We come back with paellas to suit your guests, plus any extras.
- A week or so before, we confirm the plan.
- On the day we cook live, timed around your event.
- We serve, then leave our area tidy.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
How to get a price
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We will come back with a clear quote.
Read more
- 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