Surrey · England
Paella Catering in St John's
Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in St John's: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Birthday celebrations
- Company summer parties
- Retirement celebrations
Book paella catering in St John's
About our paella catering in St John's
We cook every paella from scratch on the day, beginning with a sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, followed by stock, saffron and rice. Whether it’s anniversaries and engagement parties and weddings and evening receptions, we can cook vegetable paella, chicken and chorizo paella and mixed paella.
In a smaller place like St John's, a garden party is frequently the simplest option: no venue hire, and nobody stuck cooking. Tell us about access down the lane or drive. The paella is served straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
Paella compared with other options
A plated meal needs a kitchen, more staff and usually costs more per head. Live paella needs a level, ventilated spot and the venue’s permission to cook, and gives guests something to watch. The cost per head usually falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why us?
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Sangria and bar staff available
Where we can cook in St John's
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We look for:
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
On the menu in St John's
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Seafood paella
A closer look at the menu
Black rice
Black rice gets its colour from squid ink, and is generally served with alioli. It is a striking addition to a seafood menu.
Seafood paella
Prawns, mussels and squid in a rich fish stock, finished with lemon wedges. It is the pan people photograph.
Perfect for your event in St John's
People book live paella because it’s food and entertainment at once. The pans become a focal point, and the food is hot and generous.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in St John's and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Naming days and family parties
- Company summer parties
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Birthday celebrations
If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like The Winston Churchill School A Specialist Sports College, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser.
Comparing caterers
- Travel and parking costs
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- If the price includes VAT
- Exactly what’s included in the price
Planning live paella in St John's
St John's is about 1 mile west of Woking, in Surrey. From the centre of St John's to the outskirts, paella catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cover 395 places in Surrey, from the larger towns to small villages.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Woking station, about 1.6 miles east. If you’re celebrating after a service at a church like St John's Church, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well.
Wherever your event is in GU21 and GU22, we can cook for your guests. That could mean an event in a garden on Pond Road, Copse Road and Raglan Road. You’ll find St John's on the A324, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. For events just outside St John's, we cover Goldsworth Park (1 mile north-east), Woking (1 mile east), Westfield (2 miles south-east), Horsell (2 miles north-east) and Mimbridge (2 miles north). Larger places within reach include Guildford (5 miles south), Camberley (6 miles west), Epsom (14 miles east), Farnham (11 miles south-west), Ewell (15 miles east) and Egham (8 miles north).
Nearby you will also find Brookwood Hospital (1 mile west) and The Peacocks (1.6 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Brookwood Lye.
- Local schools include The Oaktree School (0.6 miles west) and Hoe Valley School (1.2 miles south-east)
- Pubs nearby include Royal Oak pub (1 mile north-west)
Step by step
Once the rice is in, we don’t stir it. That’s how the grains cook evenly and the toasted base, the socarrat, forms. The smell usually draws people over. Evenings in St John's stay light until about 9:20pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:05pm; once it’s dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
- Send us your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan a menu that covers every diet.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- The sofrito, stock and rice go in, and guests gather to watch.
- We serve hot from the pan and clear our cooking area.
Before we arrive
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
Getting a price
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Questions from St John's
How far is St John's from London?
Roughly 25 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
What’s the nearest station to St John's for guests?
The closest is Woking station, roughly 1.6 miles away.
How far ahead should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
What does paella catering cost?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
When do you arrive?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
What happens if it rains?
We cook under cover, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We’ll agree a wet-weather plan with you.
What happens with live paella?
We arrive with pans, burners and ingredients, cook while everyone watches, and serve at the time you want.
Can you supply plates?
We can. Let us know what you have, and we will quote for the rest.
Places near St John's
Other catering in St John's
What paella catering costs
Your quote will be clear and itemised. What affects it most:
- Travel, parking and access
- Timings and hours
- How many guests are eating
- How many courses
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
Getting an accurate quote
For a quote, it helps to have:
- A picture of the space, if you can
- The venue or postcode
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Thinking about paella catering for your event in St John's? Send us the details and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. To get in touch, send us your details through our quote form.
Organising for someone else?
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Events in public spaces, like parks, typically need permission. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Catering for every guest
Most events have a mix of diets. To cater well for them:
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Choose two or three paellas so every guest has a choice
- Send allergies to us in writing
Paella is best eaten as soon as it’s ready, so we serve when guests are ready.
Bread, salad and lemon go well alongside and suit guests who are not big rice eaters.
- 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