Greater London · England
Live paella catering in St James's, Greater London
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in St James's. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Christenings and family gatherings
Planning an event in St James's?
Common questions in St James's
Could we have live paella in St Anne's Churchyard?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
Is parking a problem for events in St James's?
London parking needs planning: let us know about permits or off-street space. We will plan unloading around it.
What areas do you cover?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including St James's.
Is paella a full meal?
Paella is a meal in itself. Many hosts add tapas first or dessert after.
Can you cook indoors?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, because we use gas burners. Some venues have suitable spaces; we’ll check with you and the venue.
Is halal food available?
Yes, on request. Let us know your halal numbers, and it is cooked separately.
What space do you need to cook?
Less than you might think: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. Send us a picture if you are not sure.
What is live paella catering?
We bring everything needed to cook on site, cook while everyone watches, and serve when you are ready to eat.
Paella catering in St James's, cooked live
We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook the paella in front of your guests. When it is ready, it’s served straight from the pan. Typical bookings include weddings, from canapés to evening food and christenings and family gatherings, serving vegan paella, paella Valenciana and vegetable paella.
London gardens are frequently long and narrow, but a level spot away from fences and trees is usually all we need. In St James's, the bigger question is parking near the house or venue. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in a separate pan.
- Where
- St James's (W1F, W1D, W1J)
- Area hub
- Greater London
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Also near St James's
What else we do in St James's
Prices and what affects them
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- How many staff you need
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Whether you need crockery
- Distance and access to the venue
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We’ll send you a quote.
Getting an accurate quote
To speed things up, tell us:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Where the event is
- Which courses you have in mind
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. 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.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
If you want something different from the usual buffet or roast, live paella adds colour, smell and theatre to your event in St James's. Got a budget? Let us know, and we’ll suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Why book with us
- We cover St James's and the whole of Greater London
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
Read How we price And The cost guide.
What happens on the day
We work to your timings. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we hold the paella at the right stage so it is still served fresh. Around midsummer it stays light in St James's until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. In December it is dark by about 3:55pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- We start with a few details about your event.
- You get a menu and an itemised quote.
- Timings, access and the cooking area are agreed in advance.
- 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.
How to prepare
- Give us a contact for the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
Ask for a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Planning help
Where we can cook in St James's
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We need:
- Somewhere close to park and unload
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
St James's is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
Menu ideas
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Mixed paella
Dishes our guests love
Paella Valenciana
In Valencia, the recipe is fiercely debated. The classic version is chicken, green beans and butter beans with saffron, and it’s a crowd-pleaser.
Black rice
Squid ink rice is bold and savoury, and is popular with adventurous guests.
Catering an event in St James's
St James's is about 1 mile south-east of City of Westminster, in Greater London. From the centre of St James's to the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. St James's is one of 764 towns and villages in Greater London we cover.
Thinking of a picnic-style party in St Anne's Churchyard? Public parks generally need permission from the council or landowner for cooking, so check first. If you are organising a summer fair for a school like Soho Parish CofE Primary School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser.
Anywhere in W1F, W1D and W1J, we can bring paella catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. From Duck Lane, Bruton Lane and Bridle Lane or anywhere nearby, we will bring the pans to you. Being close to the A4 and A400, St James's is simple for us to get to. Other places close to St James's for paella catering include Chinatown (1 mile north), Charing Cross (1 mile east), Soho (1 mile north), West End (1 mile north-east) and Burlington Estate (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include Kensington (3 miles west), Shoreditch (3 miles north-east), Walthamstow (7 miles north-east), Hoxton (3 miles north-east), Whitechapel (3 miles east) and Hampstead (4 miles north-west).
Well-known places in the area include St James Workhouse (less than half a mile north-west) and Montfichet's Tower (1.4 miles east). Green spaces nearby include St. James's Park Lake and Ludgate Hill.
- Nearby schools include LITE Regal International School (0.5 miles west) and Harris Westminster Sixth Form (0.6 miles south)
- Local pubs include Tom Cribb pub (under half a mile north-east)
- Local facilities include London Library (less than half a mile south-west) and Westminster St James (under half a mile west)
For planners, venues and organisers
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Organising a club, school or community event in St James's? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
Planning for every diet
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Tell us about coeliac guests specifically
- Have seats for most of your guests
- Confirm allergies by email
- Ensure each pan is labelled
Any staff you book serve and clear, so you can enjoy your guests.
Add canapé tapas with the drinks or table tapas as a starter as the rice cooks.
- 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