East Sussex · England
Paella Catering in Upper Wellingham
We cook live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Upper Wellingham and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Birthday celebrations
- Engagement and anniversary parties
Paella catering in Upper Wellingham
Occasions we cook for in Upper Wellingham
It needs no kitchen, so it works in gardens, fields and marquees where other catering struggles.
Whatever you are celebrating in Upper Wellingham, paella can be the star of the food. We often cook for:
- Naming days and family parties
- Milestone birthday parties
- Summer garden parties
- Office lunches and staff parties
For a christening or wedding at a church such as The Parish Church of St Mary, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone.
Before you book anyone
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- If the price includes VAT
- How late numbers can change
Paella catering in Upper Wellingham, cooked live
Live paella catering means we bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients to your event and cook in front of your guests. When it’s ready, it is served straight from the pan. Typical bookings include company summer parties and weddings and evening receptions, with vegan paella, seafood paella and vegetable paella.
Somewhere as small as Upper Wellingham, a garden or field is often the venue. Country lanes and long drives are no problem if we know about them, and a firm spot near where we park makes set-up easier. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
- Location
- Upper Wellingham (BN8)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning for every diet
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Confirm allergies by email
- Give us separate numbers for children
- Plan seating for most guests: paella is easiest eaten sitting down
- Let us know about other food at the event
Paella is at its best straight from the pan, so we plan service for when guests are ready to eat.
Bread, salad and lemon wedges make the meal go further and suit guests who aren’t big rice eaters.
The process
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you can enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first while the paella cooks. Evenings in Upper Wellingham stay light until about 9:15pm 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.
- You get a menu and an itemised quote.
- We agree timings, access and the cooking spot.
- On the day, we set up and cook in front of your guests.
- It is served straight from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
How to prepare
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
Getting a price
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Related guides
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Barbecues cook in batches, so food comes off in waves. Paella is ready all at once, so everyone eats together. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Why us?
- A clear, itemised quote
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Served hot, straight from the pan
Take a look at How we price Or What paella catering costs.
Also near Upper Wellingham
More for events in Upper Wellingham
For event organisers in Upper Wellingham
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Hosting a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
What we need at the venue
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegan paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood paella
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Mixed paella
About the dishes
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, traditionally with alioli. It makes a dramatic second seafood pan.
Seafood paella
A rich seafood stock with prawns, mussels and squid, finished with lemon wedges. It’s the pan people photograph.
DIY paella versus live catering
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
Paella catering around Upper Wellingham
Upper Wellingham is about 2 miles north-east of Lewes, in East Sussex. Whether your event is in the middle of Upper Wellingham or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cover 289 places in East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Brighton, about 9 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Cooksbridge station is about 2.1 miles away. Nearby historic houses include Glyndebourne (2.2 miles south-east) and Anne of Cleves House (2.9 miles south-west). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early. Upper Wellingham is within about 3 miles of the South Downs National Park, and country venues and gardens there suit live paella perfectly. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
Here we cover the BN8 postcode area, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. Other places close to Upper Wellingham for paella catering include Barcombe Mills (1 mile north), Norlington (1 mile south-east), Barcombe (1 mile north-west), Barcombe Cross (2 miles north-west) and Broyle Side (2 miles east). Larger places within reach include Eastbourne (14 miles south-east), Seaford (9 miles south), Hailsham (10 miles east), Crowborough (12 miles north-east), Uckfield (5 miles north-east) and Newhaven (8 miles south).
Other landmarks nearby include Museum of Agricultural Bygones (2.4 miles east) and Lewes Castle (2.6 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Malling Down and Cliffe Hill.
- Pubs nearby include The Cock Inn (within half a mile east)
- Local facilities include South Malling Without (2.2 miles south)
FAQs for Upper Wellingham
Can you cater a reception after a service at The Parish Church of St Mary?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is normally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Can you cook at venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll follow the site rules.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three covers most guests. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
What equipment do you bring?
Pans, burners and ingredients all come with us. You provide a suitable spot and access.
Do you provide drinks?
Yes, sangria. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, it is the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, if you need them. Let us know what you have, and we will quote for the rest.
Is paella a full meal?
Paella is a meal in itself. Tapas and desserts can be added if you like.
- 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