East Sussex · England
Live paella catering in South Street, East Sussex
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event turns food into part of your event in South Street.
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Anniversary celebrations
- Big birthdays
Book paella catering in South Street
Paella catering for your event in South Street
You can keep it simple or build a full menu: paella on its own, or with canapés, table tapas, desserts and sangria. We will recommend what fits your event. Whether it’s anniversary celebrations and birthday celebrations, we’ll put together a menu of chicken and chorizo paella, vegetable paella and black rice and more.
For a rural spot like South Street, the countryside is part of the appeal: a huge pan in a garden or field fits perfectly. Let us know about access and ground conditions. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
- Area
- South Street (BN8)
- County
- East Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
What happens on the day
When we arrive, we set up our cooking area, light the burners and start the sofrito. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so we time everything to your schedule. In South Street, the sun sets at about 9:20pm in late June and about 7:05pm in late September, so summer evening events are usually served in daylight. In December it is dark by about 3:55pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- First, tell us 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.
- We serve from the pan, then pack down.
Preparing for the day
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Leave space around the cooking area
Get a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Planning help
Also near South Street
Also in South Street
Common questions in South Street
Do you come out to small places like South Street?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
What’s the nearest station to South Street for guests?
The closest is Plumpton station, roughly 2.2 miles away.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and meat eaters often go back for seconds. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
What space do you need to cook?
Not a lot: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. Send us a photo if you are not sure.
Do you bring everything you need?
We bring all the cooking equipment. Tell us what the venue provides, such as tables or crockery.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three covers most guests. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
What happens if it rains?
Rain does not stop us, as long as there’s a ventilated cover. We’ll make a plan B with you.
Is halal food available?
We can. Let us know your halal numbers, and it’s cooked separately.
A closer look at the menu
Paella Valenciana
Valencians take their paella seriously. The traditional pan has chicken, flat green beans and butter beans.
Vegetable and vegan paella
The vegetable pan is a dish in its own right: artichokes, beans, peppers and saffron, cooked in its own pan.
Is live paella right for your event?
With a barbecue, food comes in waves. Paella is ready all at once, so everyone eats together. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Why book with us
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Catering an event in South Street
South Street is about 5 miles east of Burgess Hill, in East Sussex. Tell us where your event in South Street will be, and we will plan the journey and set-up. We cook in all 289 towns and villages in East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from South Street to Brighton (9 miles away).
If you’re celebrating after a service at a church like The Parish Church of St Peter, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Plumpton station, about 2.2 miles south-west. The South Downs National Park is within about 5 miles of South Street. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
This part of East Sussex takes in BN8, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. We can cater an event on streets such as Green Lane, Markstakes Corner and St James Walk or the roads around them. For events just outside South Street, we cover South Chailey (1 mile south), Chailey (1 mile north-east), North Chailey (2 miles north), Chiltington (2 miles south) and Plumpton Green (2 miles south-west). Further out, we also cater in Seaford (13 miles south-east), Lewes (5 miles south), Hailsham (13 miles south-east), Crowborough (11 miles north-east), Uckfield (5 miles east) and Newhaven (11 miles south).
Nearby you’ll also find Princess Royal Hospital (4.3 miles north-west). Not far away are Blackcap and Malling Down.
- Nearby schools include Chailey St Peter's Church of England Primary School (0.8 miles north)
- Pubs nearby include The Five Bells Inn (0.5 miles north)
Planners, venues and businesses
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
Events in public spaces, like parks, usually need permission. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Catering for every guest
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. A few tips:
- Choose two or three paellas so every guest has a choice
- Ask for labels on each pan
- Make sure most guests can sit to eat
- Give us separate numbers for children
On the day, you shouldn’t have to think about the food. We arrive in good time, set up, cook and serve, and keep in touch with you or your venue about timings.
Add canapé tapas with the drinks or table tapas as a starter as the rice cooks.
Prices and what affects them
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Parking and unloading
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- How many guests are eating
- How many courses
Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Details that help
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- What the venue already provides
- The date and rough timings
- The venue or postcode
- The courses you’d like
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we will make suggestions. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
Should I cook it myself?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
Planning the cooking area
We will be honest if a space will not work, and help find another spot. What matters most:
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
Popular choices
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood 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