Surrey · England
Live paella catering in Thames Ditton, Surrey
Paella for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Thames Ditton.
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
- Company summer parties
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
Planning an event in Thames Ditton?
Planning live paella in Thames Ditton
Thames Ditton is about 1 mile west of Surbiton, in Surrey. Anywhere in KT7, we can bring the pans to you. Thames Ditton is one of 395 towns and villages in Surrey where we cook. Our events stretch from Thames Ditton to London (about 13 miles away).
For guests coming by train, Thames Ditton station is in Thames Ditton itself. If you are celebrating after a service at a church like Church of St. Nicholas, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well.
Anywhere in KT7, we can cook for your guests. We can cater an event on streets such as High Street, Watts Road and Ditton Close. With the A307 close by, Thames Ditton is simple for us to get to with everything for your event. If your venue is just outside Thames Ditton, we also cover Weston Green (1 mile south-west), Long Ditton (1 mile east), Hinchley Wood (1 mile south), Seething Wells (1 mile east) and Molesey (1 mile north-west). Further out, we also cater in Guildford (14 miles south-west), Woking (12 miles south-west), Epsom (5 miles south-east), Redhill (13 miles south-east), Ewell (4 miles south-east) and Egham (10 miles west).
Other landmarks nearby include Tolworth Hospital (2 miles east) and Bentall Centre (2 miles north-east). Open spaces near Thames Ditton include The Wood and The Lake.
- Nearby schools include Esher College (0.5 miles west) and Shrewsbury House School (1.3 miles south-east)
- Pubs nearby include George and Dragon pub (under half a mile north)
- Local facilities include Municipal Borough of Surbiton (1.8 miles south-east)
Paella catering in Thames Ditton, cooked live
A couple of different pans covers everyone: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. Every pan is cooked on its own. We are often asked to cater fairs, fêtes and festivals and leaving dos and retirements, with mixed paella, chicken and chorizo paella and paella Valenciana.
In a smaller place like Thames Ditton, a garden party is often the simplest option: no hire fees, and live paella feeds everyone without anyone stuck in the kitchen. Let us know about access to the house. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
Planning the cooking area
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before you book.
Popular choices
- Mixed paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegan paella
- Vegetable paella
A closer look at the menu
Paella Valenciana
In Valencia, the recipe is fiercely debated. The traditional pan has chicken, flat green beans and butter beans.
Seafood paella
Prawns, mussels and squid in a rich fish stock, finished with lemon wedges. It’s normally the most photographed pan.
How the day works
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you can enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first while the paella cooks. Planning an evening event in Thames Ditton? Sunset is around 8:55pm in late May, 9:20pm at midsummer and 7:05pm in late September; once it’s dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and any dietary needs.
- We suggest a menu and confirm a quote, including what’s included.
- On the day we arrive in good time, set up and start the stock.
- The rice cooks in full view, while tapas or canapés go round.
- We serve it hot from the pan and clear our area when service ends.
Before we arrive
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Have a level space ready for the pans
Getting a price
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. To start, use our quote form.
Read more
Your questions about paella catering in Thames Ditton
Which station should guests use for Thames Ditton?
Thames Ditton has its own station: Thames Ditton station.
Is Thames Ditton close to London?
About 13 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Is halal food available?
We can. Let us know your halal numbers, and we’ll cook a separate pan.
What is live paella catering?
We bring everything needed to cook on site, cook in front of your guests, and serve when you’re ready to eat.
Which paellas suit our guests?
It depends on your guests. A chicken or mixed paella is normally the most popular, alongside seafood and vegetable or vegan pans.
How much paella per person?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
Can you serve drinks?
Sangria can be added, and we can staff a bar with your drinks.
How far ahead should we book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so get in touch early.
Events we cater in Thames Ditton
It is ideal for relaxed, sociable occasions, where guests can mingle while it cooks and then sit down to share.
Here are some of the events we cook for around Thames Ditton:
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Staff parties and work lunches
Historic houses near Thames Ditton include Hampton Court Palace (1 mile north) and Strawberry Hill House (3.4 miles north). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early.
Questions to ask before you book
- The venue requirements
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- The wet-weather plan
- How late numbers can change
Why choose live paella in Thames Ditton?
Plated meals need a kitchen and a bigger team. Live paella needs a level, ventilated spot and the venue’s permission to cook, and gives guests something to watch. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why book with us
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Fast service from the pan
See How we price Or The cost guide.
Organising for someone else?
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
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. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Places near Thames Ditton
What else we do in Thames Ditton
Catering for every guest
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Plan seating for most guests: paella is easiest eaten sitting down
- Ask about diets and allergies on your invitation or RSVP
- Flag any coeliac guests, not just gluten-free preferences
- Pick a mix of paellas to cover every diet
After service, we pack down our cooking area, quietly and quickly.
Tapas or canapés make a good start 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