Hampshire · England
Live paella catering in Shirrell Heath, Hampshire
Love Paella cooks live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Shirrell Heath and nearby, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
- Community events and fairs
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
Paella catering in Shirrell Heath
Paella catering around Shirrell Heath
Shirrell Heath is about 5 miles north of Fareham, in Hampshire. For paella catering in Shirrell Heath, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. We cover 683 places across Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 9 miles away.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Botley station, about 2.9 miles west. School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as St John the Baptist Church of England Primary School, can book us as a food stall.
Here we cover the SO32 postcode area, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. That could mean an event in a garden on High Street, Smiths Lane and Black Horse Lane or the roads around them. For events just outside Shirrell Heath, we cover Shedfield (1 mile south-west), Kingsmead (1 mile east), Mislingford (1 mile east), Swanmore (1 mile north) and Wickham (2 miles south). We also cook in nearby towns such as Winchester (11 miles north-west), Gosport (8 miles south), Havant (10 miles south-east), Eastleigh (7 miles north-west), Fareham (5 miles south) and Horndean (8 miles east).
A little further out are Knowle Hospital (2.9 miles south) and Bishop's Waltham Museum (2.4 miles north-west). Not far away are Bishops Waltham Branch LNR.
- Local schools include Swanmore College of Technology (1.2 miles north)
- Pubs nearby include Prince of Wales pub (less than half a mile north-east)
Paella catering in Shirrell Heath, cooked live
Live paella works almost anywhere with a level, ventilated spot: gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and festival fields. Typical bookings include garden get-togethers and weddings, from canapés to evening food, with vegetable paella, seafood paella and chicken and chorizo paella.
In a rural place like Shirrell Heath, the setting does a lot of the work: a paella cooking in a garden or field feels right at home. Let us know about access and ground conditions. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
Diets, allergies and planning
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To get it right:
- Confirm allergies by email
- Plan a meat, a seafood and a vegetable or vegan pan
- Mention any other courses or food
- Count adults and children separately
If you’ve booked staff, they’ll serve, clear and help keep things moving, so you can enjoy your guests.
Finish with churros, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago.
What’s in the pans
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, traditionally with alioli. It’s a striking addition to a seafood menu.
Seafood paella
Prawns, mussels and squid in a rich fish stock, cooked until the rice is golden. It’s generally the most photographed pan.
How we price paella catering
There is nothing hidden: the quote reflects:
- How long we’re needed on site
- Your choice of paellas
- Distance and access to the venue
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What we need to know
To speed things up, tell us:
- Expected numbers
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- What the venue already provides
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, send us your details through our quote form.
How the day works
When the rice goes in, it’s left alone. That’s what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. Your guests will smell it before they see it. In Shirrell Heath, the sun sets at about 9:20pm in late June and about 7:10pm in late September, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. For winter events, when it is dark by about 4:00pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- Contact us with the basics: when, where and how many.
- Expect a menu idea and a clear, itemised price.
- Closer to the day, we confirm timings and the cooking spot.
- We set up, cook from scratch and keep an eye on your timings.
- We serve, then leave our area tidy.
How to prepare
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Let us know the timings for the day
Getting a price
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Related guides
Space, weather and the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think before you book.
On the menu in Shirrell Heath
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegan paella
- Seafood paella
Nearby places to Shirrell Heath
Other catering in Shirrell Heath
Is live paella right for your event?
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. Larger events generally cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why choose Love Paella in Shirrell Heath
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Events in Shirrell Heath and across Hampshire
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
See How we price And What paella catering costs.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Common questions in Shirrell Heath
Do you come out to small places like Shirrell Heath?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Is Shirrell Heath close to London?
Roughly 62 miles from the centre of London.
Can you cook indoors?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Which paella is most popular?
Two or three is usual: chicken or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. See the sample menu.
Which areas do you serve?
We cater across London and the South East, Hampshire included. Find your area.
How much is live paella catering?
We quote for each event, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers and we will reply with a price.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes. A simple chicken paella is normally popular with children. Include children in your numbers.
Is paella a full meal?
Paella is a meal in itself. Many hosts add tapas first or dessert after.
Organising for someone else?
Organising a club, school or community event in Shirrell Heath? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we will suggest a menu.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
- 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