West Berkshire · England
Paella Catering for Swallowfield events
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Swallowfield and the surrounding area.
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Community events and fairs
- Retirement celebrations
Live paella catering in Swallowfield
Planning live paella in Swallowfield
Swallowfield is about 5 miles south of Reading, in West Berkshire. Across the RG7 area, we will come to your venue or garden. We cook in 155 places in West Berkshire.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Mortimer station, about 3.3 miles west. For a christening or wedding at a church such as Church of All Saints, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone.
This part of West Berkshire takes in RG7. From The Street, Hornbeams and Fieldfare Court or a nearby road, we’ll bring the pans to you. If your venue is just outside Swallowfield, we also cover Riseley (1 mile south), Spencers Wood (1 mile north), Beech Hill (2 miles west), Farley Hill (2 miles east) and Grazeley (2 miles north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Thatcham (13 miles west), Burghfield Common (5 miles west), Calcot (6 miles north-west), Shaw (15 miles west), Burghfield Hill (4 miles west) and Theale (6 miles north-west).
Nearby you’ll also find Beaumys Castle (0.9 miles west) and Royal Berkshire Hospital (5 miles north). Not far away are The Marshes Local Nature Reserve and Longwater.
- Local schools include Oakbank (1.8 miles north)
- Pubs nearby include The Crown pub (within half a mile east)
About our paella catering in Swallowfield
You can keep it simple or build a full menu: paella on its own, or with canapés, table tapas, desserts and sangria. We will suggest what suits your event. Whether it is family celebrations and christenings and anniversaries and engagement parties, we can cook black rice, vegan paella and mixed paella and more.
In a small place like Swallowfield, events are typically 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. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
- Where
- Swallowfield (RG7)
- Area hub
- West Berkshire
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Should I cook it myself?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
Before you choose a spot
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We look for:
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
- Level ground for the pans and burners
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Mixed paella
- Seafood paella
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
About the dishes
Mixed paella
A mix of chicken and seafood.
Black rice
Black rice gets its colour from squid ink, traditionally with alioli. It makes a dramatic second seafood pan.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Plated meals need a kitchen and a bigger team. Live paella needs only a level, ventilated spot and permission to cook, and it’s entertaining too. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Why choose Love Paella in Swallowfield
- Events in Swallowfield and across West Berkshire
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
Towns and villages near Swallowfield
Also in Swallowfield
Dietary needs and planning tips
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Ensure each pan is labelled
- Collect dietary needs with your RSVPs
- Confirm allergies by email
- Choose two or three paellas so every guest has a choice
After service, we pack down our cooking area, quietly and quickly.
Crockery, cutlery and waiting staff are available if your venue does not provide them.
Your questions about paella catering in Swallowfield
How far is Swallowfield from London?
Roughly 38 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Which station should guests use for Swallowfield?
Mortimer station, about 3.3 miles west of the centre.
Do you come to Swallowfield?
Yes, we do. Swallowfield is one of the places we cover. Send us your date to check availability.
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.
Who clears up?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
How far ahead should we book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so get in touch early.
Is the paella gluten-free?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Of course. We cook vegetarian and vegan paellas in their own pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
Events we cater in Swallowfield
Outdoor events and live paella go together: it’s cooked in the open, served hot and eaten together.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In Swallowfield, people book us for events such as:
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Big birthdays
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Retirement celebrations
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Lambs Lane Primary School, can book us as a food stall.
Comparing caterers
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- Space, access and power needs
- The deadline for final numbers
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
What paella catering costs
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, depending on:
- Travel, parking and access
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- The number of people
There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
What to tell us
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- What the venue already provides
- Where the event is
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Step by step
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Guests normally gather round to watch while it cooks. Evenings in Swallowfield stay light until about 9:25pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:05pm; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- We start with a few details about your event.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a clear quote.
- We agree timings, access and the cooking spot.
- We cook live on the day while guests watch.
- We serve from the pan, then pack down.
Before we arrive
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Tell us where to park and unload
Ask for a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we’re available that day.
Planning help
- 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