Greater London · England
Paella Catering in West Hampstead
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 West Hampstead.
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Festivals, fairs and school events
- Big birthdays
Paella catering for West Hampstead events
Should I cook it myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
About our paella catering in West Hampstead
Two or three pans side by side cover every guest: meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan paellas. Each is cooked separately. On the menu are paella Valenciana, mixed paella and vegetable paella, and we are regularly asked to cater milestone birthday parties and leaving dos and retirements.
In a London neighbourhood like West Hampstead, the cooking spot is normally a back garden, a courtyard or a venue’s terrace. The thing to plan is parking and unloading, so tell us about permits, bays or a driveway when you ask for a quote. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
- Area
- West Hampstead (NW3, NW6, NW2)
- County
- Greater London
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Places near West Hampstead
More for events in West Hampstead
Step by step
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you are free to enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first while the paella cooks. Planning an evening event in West Hampstead? 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.
- We start with a few details about your event.
- You get a menu and an itemised quote.
- Timings, access and the cooking area are agreed in advance.
- On the day, we set up and cook in front of your guests.
- It’s served straight from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
Get a quote
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
Live paella in West Hampstead: local details
West Hampstead is about 3 miles north-west of City of Westminster, in Greater London. We cook at events in gardens, halls and venues around West Hampstead and the surrounding area. West Hampstead is one of 764 towns and villages in Greater London where we cook. Our events stretch from West Hampstead to London (about 6 miles away).
For a christening or wedding at a church such as Presbyterian Church Of St Andrew, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Emmanuel Church of England Primary School, can book us as a food stall.
For paella catering in NW3, NW6 and NW2, we plan around your venue and timings. Streets in the area include Mill Lane, Acol Road and Ajax Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. With the A502 close by, West Hampstead is simple for us to get to. Close by, we cover events in Fortune Green (1 mile west), Hampstead (1 mile east), Greenhill (1 mile east), Childs Hill (1 mile north-west) and Vale of Health (1 mile north-east). Further out, we also cater in London (6 miles south-east), City of Westminster (3 miles south-east), Marylebone (3 miles south-east), Kensington (4 miles south), St Pancras (4 miles south-east) and Shoreditch (5 miles east).
A little further out are Montfichet's Tower (4.7 miles south-east) and New End Hospital (0.5 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Parliament Hill and Westbere Copse.
- Local schools include St Anthony's Preparatory School (0.5 miles east) and South Hampstead High School (0.7 miles south-east)
- Local pubs include Holly Bush pub (0.5 miles north-east)
- Local facilities include Frognal and Fitzjohns (less than half a mile east)
Prices and what affects them
The price comes down to a few factors:
- How long we are needed on site
- Your choice of paellas
- Waiting and bar staff
- Travel, parking and access
Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Getting an accurate quote
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- The courses you’d like
- Expected numbers
- The date and rough timings
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Dishes our guests love
Mixed paella
Chicken and seafood together, and a popular all-rounder.
Paella Valenciana
In Valencia, the recipe is fiercely debated. The classic version is chicken, green beans and butter beans with saffron, and it is a crowd-pleaser.
Catering for every guest
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To make it work smoothly:
- Add a dietary question to your invitations
- Tell us what else is being served
- Count adults and children separately
- Plan seating for most guests: paella is easiest eaten sitting down
A short rest after cooking helps, which is when we usually call guests over.
Crockery, cutlery and waiting staff are available if your venue does not provide them.
FAQs for West Hampstead
Can you cook in Kilburn Grange Park?
Only if the landowner, typically the council, allows it. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
We’re having a ceremony at Presbyterian Church Of St Andrew: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
We can, if you tell us in advance. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
How long does the paella take?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
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.
What space do you need to cook?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
How does live paella catering work?
We bring everything needed to cook on site, cook while everyone watches, and serve at the time you want.
Can you cook halal paella?
We can. Let us know your halal numbers, and we’ll cook a separate pan.
Who books paella catering in West Hampstead?
Few dishes cope with mixed diets like paella, because each version is cooked in its own pan. Nobody gets a token ‘special meal’.
Here are some of the events we cook for around West Hampstead:
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Retirement celebrations
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
Historic houses near West Hampstead include Fenton House (0.5 miles north-east) and Heath House (0.7 miles north-east). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early.
What your quote should include
- A clear list of what’s included
- How long the team stays
- The deadline for final numbers
- Whether VAT is included
Paella compared with other options
Cold buffets are easy but forgettable, and food can sit out for a while. Paella is cooked in front of your guests and served hot. There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. We itemise everything in your quote.
Why us?
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Sangria and bar staff available
Take a look at Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
Before you choose a spot
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
West Hampstead is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway.
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Paella Valenciana
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Seafood paella
- Vegan paella
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
- 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