Surrey · England
Live paella catering in South Holmwood, Surrey
Love Paella cooks live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event across South Holmwood and Surrey, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Company summer parties
Planning an event in South Holmwood?
Paella catering in South Holmwood, cooked live
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. For family celebrations and christenings and staff parties and work lunches, we’ll put together a menu of black rice, vegan paella and paella Valenciana for your guests.
In a small place like South Holmwood, events are generally in a garden, a field or a nearby hall. Tell us about narrow lanes or long drives and we’ll plan for them, and a firm spot near where we park makes set-up easier. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, never made in advance and reheated.
Prices and what affects them
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- Timings and hours
- The paellas you choose
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- How many guests are eating
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
What we need to know
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- The date and time of the event
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Not sure what you need yet? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will make suggestions. Start when you are ready: use our quote form.
South Holmwood: venues, travel and local tips
South Holmwood is about 3 miles south of Dorking, in Surrey. Give us the address of your event in South Holmwood, and we will plan access and set-up before the day. South Holmwood is one of 395 places in Surrey where we cook. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 11 miles away.
Thinking of a picnic-style party in Inholms Clay Pit? Public parks usually need permission from the council or landowner for cooking, so check first. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Holmwood station, about 0.8 miles south. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 3 miles of South Holmwood. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
We cover events in every part of RH5. Local streets include Warwick Road, Norfolk Road and Milford Court; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Nearby, we also cater events in Holmwood Corner (1 mile south-east), Beare Green (1 mile south), Coldharbour (2 miles south-west), Friday Street (3 miles west) and Abinger Bottom (3 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Guildford (11 miles west), Woking (14 miles north-west), Epsom (10 miles north), Horley (7 miles east), Redhill (7 miles north-east) and Ewell (12 miles north).
A little further out are Mesolithic Museum (3.6 miles west) and Betchworth Castle (3.4 miles north). Not far away are Leith Hill and Vann Lake.
- Nearby, you will find The Norfolk Arms (0.7 miles north)
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
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.
Nearby places to South Holmwood
More for events in South Holmwood
How it works
On the day, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so we time everything to your schedule. In South Holmwood, the sun sets at about 9:20pm in late June and about 7:05pm in late September, so summer evening events are generally served in daylight. In December it is dark by about 3:55pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- You share your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan the menu with you, including every diet.
- We arrive early to set up the burners and pans.
- The paella cooks as guests gather round.
- Service is straight from the pan, then we pack down.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Name one person we can ask on the day
How to get a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, use our quote form.
Planning help
Occasions we cook for in South Holmwood
There is no kitchen needed, so it’s at home in gardens, fields and marquees where other catering struggles.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Garden get-togethers
- Anniversary celebrations
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Retirement and leaving parties
Historic houses near South Holmwood include Polesden Lacey (5 miles north-west). Historic venues often limit cooking, so ask early if you are booking one.
What your quote should include
- If the price includes VAT
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- The wet-weather plan
South Holmwood questions
Is South Holmwood too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
How far is South Holmwood from London?
Roughly 23 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Does paella work for big events?
Very much so. We plan the number of pans and serving points around your numbers.
What does paella catering cost?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas for a clear quote.
Can paella be the only main course?
It is a full meal on its own. Many hosts add tapas first or dessert after.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, on request. Proper crockery or quality disposables are available.
How soon do we need to book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it is short notice, it’s worth asking.
Do you bring everything you need?
Pans, burners and ingredients all come with us. You just need a suitable spot and access.
Organising for someone else?
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will explain how it works. We are happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Why choose live paella in South Holmwood?
Vans serve one order at a time. A big pan serves many guests fast, which suits weddings and parties where everyone eats together. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Why South Holmwood hosts choose us
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
Take a look at Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Most events have a mix of diets. To cater well for them:
- Give us separate numbers for children
- Have seats for most of your guests
- Tell us what else is being served
- Pick a mix of paellas to cover every diet
Any staff you book serve and clear, so you can enjoy your guests.
Need plates or staff? We can provide them.
Before you choose a spot
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before you book.
What we offer
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Seafood paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- 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