West Sussex · England
Paella Catering in Runcton
Planning paella catering in Runcton? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Milestone birthday parties
- Garden get-togethers
- Christenings and family gatherings
Paella catering in Runcton
Paella catering in Runcton, cooked live
Live paella catering means we bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients to your event and cook in front of your guests. When it’s ready, it is served straight from the pan. On the menu are black rice, mixed paella and paella Valenciana, and we’re regularly asked to cater christenings and family gatherings and garden parties and summer barbecues.
In a hamlet or village like Runcton, your own garden or a neighbour’s field can make a wonderful venue. Mention gates and soft ground when you contact us. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
- Location
- Runcton (PO20)
- County
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
How we price paella catering
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Guest numbers
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Details that help
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Your date and when you want to eat
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Roughly how many adults and children
The quickest way to a quote is to fill in our quote form. Tell us about your event in Runcton, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Paella catering around Runcton
Runcton is about 2 miles south-east of Chichester, in West Sussex. Whether your event is in the middle of Runcton or on the outskirts, paella catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cover all 371 towns and villages across West Sussex. We cook right across the region, from Runcton to Brighton (about 27 miles away).
Historic houses near Runcton include Goodwood House (3.9 miles north). Historic venues often limit cooking, so ask early if you’re booking one. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Chichester station, about 1.9 miles north-west. Runcton is within about 4 miles of the sea, so a seafood pan is a popular choice. Sea breezes can be strong, so we plan a sheltered cooking spot.
We cater events across PO20 and the streets around it. We can cater an event on streets such as Goodwood Gardens, Brookside and Lagness Road. If your venue is just outside Runcton, we also cover North Mundham (1 mile west), Merston (1 mile north-east), Lagness (1 mile south-east), Hunston (1 mile west) and Portfield (2 miles north). Further out, we also cater in Worthing (15 miles east), Bognor Regis (3 miles south-east), Selsey (6 miles south), Littlehampton (9 miles east), Emsworth (9 miles west) and Rustington (10 miles east).
Nearby you will also find Chichester Castle (2.1 miles north-west) and The Chichester City Museum (2 miles north-west).
- Schools near Runcton include Chichester Free School (0.6 miles north) and Chichester High School For Girls (1.7 miles north-west)
Common questions in Runcton
Is Runcton too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
What about events near the coast?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
Can paella be the only main course?
It is a full meal on its own. Tapas and desserts can be added if you like.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and meat eaters frequently go back for seconds. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Typically we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
What happens if it rains?
We cook under cover, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Is the paella cooked on site?
It is. We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook it there and then, then serve straight from the pan.
Do you bring everything you need?
All cooking kit comes with us. Let us know what your venue has, like tables or crockery.
The process
When we arrive, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so the timing is planned around your event. Around midsummer it stays light in Runcton 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.
- 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
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- 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 will check availability at the same time.
Planning help
DIY paella versus live catering
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, keep the stock hot, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Why choose paella catering in Runcton?
It’s ideal for relaxed, sociable occasions, where guests can mingle while it cooks before sitting down to eat.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in Runcton book us for events such as:
- Company summer parties
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
If you’re celebrating after a service at a church like The Parish Church of St Stephen, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well.
What your quote should include
- Travel and parking costs
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Allergen information for each dish
What we need at the venue
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Popular choices
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegan paella
- Vegetable paella
- Seafood paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Mixed paella
Dishes our guests love
Mixed paella
A mix of chicken and seafood.
Black rice
Squid ink rice is bold and savoury.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Compared with a hog roast or barbecue, paella makes vegetarian, vegan and halal guests easier to cater for, because each paella has its own pan. It is served quickly from the pan, so queues move. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so it helps to tell us about your venue. The full price is confirmed before booking.
Why Runcton hosts choose us
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
Towns and villages near Runcton
More for events in Runcton
For planners, venues and organisers
Hosting a party at home? Send us a photo of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so guests are fed quickly. Let us know how long the food break is.
- 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