Hampshire · England
Paella Catering in Test Valley
Paella for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Test Valley.
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
Paella catering in Test Valley
How our paella catering works in Test Valley
One cooking area feeds a lot of people, there’s very little waste, and the food arrives hot. That’s why it works for so many events. On the menu are seafood paella, paella Valenciana and chicken and chorizo paella, and we’re regularly asked to cater office lunches and staff parties and family celebrations and christenings.
Somewhere like Test Valley, a field or garden is frequently the perfect setting. Mention gates and soft ground when you get in touch. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
Space, weather and the venue
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We need:
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- Somewhere close to park and unload
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegan paella
- Seafood paella
- Mixed paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
Working with your venue
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Nearby places to Test Valley
Also in Test Valley
Test Valley: venues, travel and local tips
Test Valley is about 7 miles north of Andover, in Hampshire. For paella catering in Test Valley, we plan around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. We cook in 683 places in Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Reading, about 22 miles away.
Historic houses near Test Valley include Stargroves (2.7 miles north) and Highclere Castle (3.3 miles east). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early.
We cover events in every part of the SP11 postcode area. If your venue is just outside Test Valley, we also cover Ashmansworth (1 mile east), Vernham Street (3 miles west), Upper Green (4 miles north), Inkpen Common (5 miles north) and Hell Corner (5 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Basingstoke (15 miles east), Andover (7 miles south), Tadley (13 miles east), Popley (15 miles east), Tidworth (11 miles south-west) and Kempshott (13 miles east).
Green spaces nearby include Pilot Hill.
What paella catering costs
There is nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- Distance and access to the venue
- How many staff you need
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Guest numbers
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Getting an accurate quote
These details help us quote quickly:
- Which courses you have in mind
- The address or venue name
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- A picture of the space, if you can
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, use our quote form.
Should I cook it myself?
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and do not stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Diets, allergies and planning
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Collect dietary needs with your RSVPs
- Plan a meat, a seafood and a vegetable or vegan pan
- Ensure most guests can sit to eat
- Let us know about other food at the event
Paella is best eaten as soon as it is ready, so we serve when guests are ready.
Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana finish the meal, or serve your own cake.
How it works
Here’s how the day generally runs: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and we serve straight from the pan at the agreed time. Planning an evening event in Test Valley? Sunset is around 8:55pm in late May, 9:25pm at midsummer and 7:10pm in late September; once it’s dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
- Get in touch with the basics: when, where and how many.
- We come back with paellas to suit your guests, plus any extras.
- A week or so before, we confirm the plan.
- We set up, cook from scratch and keep an eye on your timings.
- Guests are served from the pan, and our area is cleared afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Give us a contact for the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Have a level space ready for the pans
Ask for a quote
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, use our quote form.
Read more
About the dishes
Black rice
Black rice gets its colour from squid ink, traditionally with alioli. It’s a striking addition to a seafood menu.
Mixed paella
Paella mixta combines meat and seafood in one pan, and it’s frequently the first pan to empty.
FAQs for Test Valley
Is Test Valley too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Is Test Valley close to London?
Roughly 59 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
What if the weather’s bad?
We need a covered spot, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Are premium seafood options available?
We will suggest seafood to suit your menu and budget. Premium options are available.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes. Children frequently love a simple chicken paella. Include children in your numbers.
Do you cook inside?
Typically we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, because we use gas burners. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
How does live paella catering work?
We set up a cooking area at your venue, cook the paella from scratch in large pans while your guests watch, and serve it straight from the pan.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Of course. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans.
Paella compared with other options
A cold buffet is simple but has no theatre, and the food sits out. Paella is cooked in front of your guests and served hot. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why book with us
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Events in Test Valley and across Hampshire
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
See How we price And What paella catering costs.
- 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