West Sussex · England
Live paella catering in The Haven, West Sussex
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in The Haven. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, then served hot from the pan.
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Weddings and evening receptions
Planning an event in The Haven?
Paella catering in The Haven, cooked live
Everything is cooked from scratch on site, beginning with a sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, then the stock, saffron and rice. We are frequently asked to cater retirement and leaving parties and anniversaries and engagement parties, serving vegetable paella, black rice and seafood paella.
Somewhere like The Haven, a field or garden is often the perfect setting. Mention gates and soft ground when you contact us. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
- Location
- The Haven (RH14)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
What we need at the venue
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before you book.
Popular choices
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Mixed paella
- Seafood paella
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegan paella
The Haven questions
Do you come out to small places like The Haven?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
What’s the nearest station to The Haven for guests?
Billingshurst station, about 3.4 miles south of the centre.
How much does paella catering cost in The Haven?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
What about pudding?
We do. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices, or you can serve your own cake.
What is live paella catering?
We arrive with pans, burners and ingredients, cook while everyone watches, and serve at the time you want.
How much paella per person?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Courtyards, doorways and terraces often work.
Do we need to provide equipment?
Pans, burners and ingredients all come with us. You provide a suitable spot and access.
What happens on the day
The cooking is part of the entertainment. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring. In The Haven, the sun sets at about 9:20pm in late June and about 7:05pm in late September, so summer evening events are generally served in daylight. For winter events, when it is dark by about 3:55pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- 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.
Getting ready for the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
Get a quote
Not sure what you need yet? That’s fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will make suggestions. Start when you are ready: send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Events we cater in The Haven
Few dishes cope with mixed diets like paella, thanks to separate pans for each version. Nobody gets a token ‘special meal’.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In The Haven, people book us for events such as:
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Billingshurst station, about 3.4 miles south.
Before booking anyone
- A clear list of what’s included
- If the price includes VAT
- Staff numbers and hours
- Allergen information for each dish
Planners, venues and businesses
If you are organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we are happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
Events in public spaces, like parks, normally need permission. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Dietary needs and planning tips
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Choose two or three paellas so every guest has a choice
- Tell us what else is being served
- Count adults and children separately
Any staff you book serve and clear, so you can relax.
Tapas or canapés make a good start while the paella cooks.
What paella catering costs
There’s nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- Distance and access to the venue
- The paellas you choose
- How many courses
- Guest numbers
The cost per head usually falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
What to tell us
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but these help:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The date and time of the event
- The address or venue name
- A picture of the space, if you can
It is easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We will come back with a clear quote.
Paella catering around The Haven
The Haven is about 3 miles north of Billingshurst, in West Sussex. For an event in The Haven, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices. The Haven is one of 371 places in West Sussex where we cook. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 14 miles away.
We cater events across the RH14 postcode area and the streets around it. We also cook at events in Five Oaks (1 mile south-east), Bucks Green (2 miles north), Slinfold (2 miles east), Rudgwick (2 miles north) and Tisman's Common (2 miles north-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Crawley (12 miles east), Horsham (5 miles east), Broadfield (11 miles east), Storrington (10 miles south), Billingshurst (3 miles south) and Bewbush (10 miles east).
A little further out are Horsham Hospital (5.3 miles east) and Christs Hospital School Museum (3.9 miles east).
- Pubs nearby include The Blue Ship Public House (less than half a mile west)
The menu, dish by dish
Paella Valenciana
Valencians take their paella seriously. The classic version is chicken, green beans and butter beans with saffron, and it’s a crowd-pleaser.
Mixed paella
A mix of chicken and seafood, for guests who want a bit of everything.
Nearby places to The Haven
More for events in The Haven
Is live paella right for your event?
With a barbecue, food comes in waves. Paella is ready all at once, so everyone eats together. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What you get with us
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Catering across West Sussex, including The Haven
- Fast service from the pan
- Drinks service on request
See How we price And Our guide to 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