Surrey · England
Live paella catering in Shillinglee, Surrey
Planning paella catering in Shillinglee? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Retirement and leaving parties
Paella catering in Shillinglee
How our paella catering works in Shillinglee
The cooking is half the fun. Guests gather round as the sofrito sizzles and the saffron colours the rice, and the aroma does the rest. Typical bookings include garden get-togethers and office lunches and staff parties, with vegan paella, paella Valenciana and seafood paella.
In a rural place like Shillinglee, the setting does a lot of the work: a paella cooking in a garden or field feels right at home. Tell us about access and the ground. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated.
Working with your venue
Events in public spaces, like parks, normally need permission. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
Shillinglee: venues, travel and local tips
Shillinglee is about 12 miles south-east of Farnham, in Surrey. From the centre of Shillinglee to the outskirts, paella catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cater in 395 places across Surrey, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 12 miles away.
The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Shillinglee. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
Paella catering in GU8 is planned around your venue and timings. For events just outside Shillinglee, we cover Ramsnest Common (1 mile north-west), Northchapel (2 miles south-west), Ansteadbrook (2 miles west), Ebernoe (3 miles south) and Lurgashall (4 miles south-west). Further out, we also cater in Guildford (12 miles north), Farnham (12 miles north-west), Haslemere (4 miles west), Cranleigh (7 miles north-east), Ash (12 miles north) and Godalming (7 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include Haslemere and District Hospital (3.8 miles west). The countryside around Shillinglee includes Shillinglee Lake and Blackdown.
Towns and villages near Shillinglee
More for events in Shillinglee
Paella compared with other options
Food trucks and street-food vans serve one portion at a time. A big pan serves many guests fast, so everyone can eat at the same time. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
Why book with us
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
Take a look at How we price Or The cost guide.
Perfect for your event in Shillinglee
Live paella is food and a show in one. The pans become a focal point, and the food is hot and generous.
Here are some of the events we cook for around Shillinglee:
- Summer garden parties
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Milestone birthday parties
- Community events and fairs
For guests coming by train, Witley station is about 3.8 miles away.
Comparing caterers
- Payment terms and deposit
- The deadline for final numbers
- If the price includes VAT
- What the caterer needs from your venue
Common questions in Shillinglee
Do you cater in the Surrey Hills National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will follow the site rules.
Is Shillinglee close to London?
Roughly 37 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Is the paella cooked on site?
It is. We arrive with everything we need and cook on the day, then serve straight from the pan.
How does live paella catering work?
We cook from scratch at your venue in big pans, in front of your guests, and serve straight from the pan.
Which paellas do you recommend?
Two or three is usual: chicken or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. Our menu lists the options.
How much does paella catering cost in Shillinglee?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
How many different paellas?
Most events have two or three: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We will suggest a split based on your guests.
Planning the cooking area
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
Popular choices
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood paella
- Mixed paella
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
Dishes our guests love
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, and is usually served with alioli. It makes a dramatic second seafood pan.
Mixed paella
Chicken and seafood together, and a popular all-rounder.
Diets, allergies and planning
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Ensure each pan is labelled
- Flag any coeliac guests, not just gluten-free preferences
- Mention any other courses or food
- Put allergy details in writing
Paella is best eaten as soon as it is ready, so we serve when guests are ready.
Add canapé tapas with the drinks or table tapas as a starter as the rice cooks.
How the day works
Serving is fast: we serve straight from the pan, so even a long queue moves. When service is finished, we pack down. In Shillinglee, the sun sets at about 9:20pm in late June and about 7:05pm in late September, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. For winter events, when it’s dark by about 3:55pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- We start with a few details about your event.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a clear quote.
- We agree timings, access and the cooking spot.
- On the day, we set up and cook in front of your guests.
- It is served straight from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Check the venue allows live cooking
How to get a price
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, plus any dietary needs, and we’ll reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just fill in our quote form.
Related guides
What paella catering costs
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- How many courses
- Whether you need crockery
- How many staff you need
- How many guests are eating
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Getting an accurate quote
To speed things up, tell us:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Anything your venue supplies
- The venue or postcode
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
Still deciding on the menu? That’s fine: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll suggest a menu. Start when you’re ready: use our quote form.
- 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