Surrey · England
Paella Catering for Whitewood events
Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Whitewood: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Birthday celebrations
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Weddings and evening receptions
Paella catering near Whitewood
Paella catering in Whitewood, cooked live
Paella has always been food for a crowd: cooked in the open in a big, shallow pan and shared straight from it. That is exactly what we bring to your event in Whitewood. Whether it’s anniversary celebrations and leaving dos and retirements, we can cook mixed paella, seafood paella and vegetable paella for your guests.
In a small place like Whitewood, events are usually in a garden, a field or a nearby hall. Tell us about narrow lanes or long drives and we will plan for them, and cooking close to where we can park helps. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, never made in advance and reheated.
About the dishes
Vegetable and vegan paella
Seasonal vegetables on a rich sofrito base make a paella that stands on its own. For vegans, the stock is plant-based.
Mixed paella
Paella mixta combines meat and seafood in one pan, and it is frequently the first pan to empty.
What happens on the day
It’s a relaxed, well-organised set-up. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up the pans and burners, and cook and serve without fuss. Evenings in Whitewood stay light until about 9:20pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:05pm; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- Send us your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan a menu that covers every diet.
- We arrive early to set up the burners and pans.
- The paella cooks as guests gather round.
- Service is straight from the pan, then we pack down.
How to prepare
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
Get a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Organising for someone else?
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Hosting a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Where we can cook in Whitewood
We’ll be honest if a space won’t work. What matters most:
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- Level ground for the pans and burners
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before you book.
Popular choices
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood paella
Perfect for your event in Whitewood
There is no kitchen needed, so it works in gardens, fields and marquees where other catering struggles.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in Whitewood book us for occasions like:
- Company summer parties
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Retirement celebrations
- Festivals, fairs and school events
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Godstone station, about 2.2 miles north-east.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether VAT is included
- How long the team stays
- Space, access and power needs
- What happens if it rains
Live paella in Whitewood: local details
Whitewood is about 4 miles east of Horley, in Surrey. Whether your event is in the middle of Whitewood or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Whitewood is one of 395 towns and villages in Surrey we cover. You can also see our page for London, about 21 miles away.
For a christening or wedding at a church such as Church of St Mary the Virgin, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. The High Weald National Landscape is within about 8 miles of Whitewood. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
We cater events across RH9 and the streets around it. Local streets include Whitewood Lane and Byers Lane; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Other places close to Whitewood for paella catering include Horne (1 mile south-west), Blindley Heath (1 mile north-east), Newchapel (2 miles south-east), Lingfield Common (2 miles east) and Lingfield (3 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Epsom (13 miles north-west), Horley (4 miles west), Redhill (5 miles north-west), Ewell (14 miles north-west), Reigate (6 miles north-west) and Caterham (7 miles north).
Nearby you will also find East Surrey Hospital (4.5 miles north-west) and Effingham Park Motor Museum (3.4 miles south). The countryside around Whitewood includes Hedgecourt Lake and Bay Pond.
- Nearby, you will find The Jolly Farmer pub (under half a mile south-west)
Dietary needs and planning tips
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Add a dietary question to your invitations
- Tell us what else is being served
- Ensure most guests can sit to eat
You shouldn’t have to worry about the food on the day. We arrive in good time, set up, cook and serve, and stay in touch with your venue about timings.
We can add sangria and bar staff to serve drinks you provide.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and handles separate pans for each diet.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Barbecues cook in batches, so food comes off in waves. Paella is cooked as one big dish and served together. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Why Whitewood hosts choose us
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Common questions in Whitewood
Is Whitewood 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.
How far is Whitewood from London?
About 21 miles from central London.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
What equipment do you bring?
Pans, burners and ingredients all come with us. You just need a suitable spot and access.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Normally we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. We will check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Can you cater for children?
Yes. Children frequently love a simple chicken paella. Include children in your numbers.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria, yes. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.
Is paella a full meal?
It can be. Paella with bread and salad makes a full main course.
Also near Whitewood
Other catering in Whitewood
- 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