Hampshire · England
Paella Catering in Wildhern
We cook live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Wildhern and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Community events and fairs
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
Paella catering for Wildhern events
Paella catering around Wildhern
Wildhern is about 3 miles north of Andover, in Hampshire. Wherever your event is in the SP11 area, we’ll come to your venue or garden. We cater in 683 places across Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 24 miles away.
If you’re celebrating after a service at a church like Christchurch, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like Hatherden Church of England Primary School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser.
Anywhere in SP11, we can cook for your guests. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Upper Enham (1 mile south-east), Enham Alamein (1 mile south-east), Little London (2 miles east), Knights Enham (2 miles south-east) and Smannell (2 miles south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Andover (3 miles south), Hyde (15 miles south-east), Tidworth (7 miles west), Weeke (15 miles south-east), Kempshott (15 miles east) and Ludgershall (5 miles west).
Other landmarks nearby include Finkley Down Farm Museum (3.1 miles south-east) and Andover War Memorial Hospital (2.8 miles south). Open spaces near Wildhern include Anton Lakes and Mill Lake.
- Pubs nearby include The Hare & Hounds pub (0.9 miles south)
Paella catering in Wildhern, made fresh on the day
We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook the paella in front of your guests. Once it is ready, we serve it hot from the pan. For summer garden parties and festivals, fairs and school events, we can cook mixed paella, paella Valenciana and chicken and chorizo paella and more.
Somewhere as small as Wildhern, a garden or field is frequently the venue. Tell us about narrow lanes or long drives and we will plan for them, and a firm spot near where we park makes set-up easier. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
Questions from Wildhern
Is Wildhern 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.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Christchurch?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking generally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes. A simple chicken paella is typically popular with children. Include children in your numbers.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain does not stop us, as long as there is a ventilated cover. We’ll make a plan B with you.
Do we need to provide equipment?
All cooking kit comes with us. Let us know what your venue has, like tables or crockery.
Will there be enough food?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Tell us what else is being served. See how much paella per person.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
Yes, on request. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
Do you come to Wildhern?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Wildhern and across Hampshire. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
For planners, venues and organisers
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Hosting a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. Our advice:
- Plan seating for most guests: paella is easiest eaten sitting down
- Pick a mix of paellas to cover every diet
- Ask about diets and allergies on your invitation or RSVP
- Request clear labels at the serving table
On the day, you shouldn’t have to think about the food. We set up, cook and serve, and keep in touch with you or your venue about timings.
Bread, salad and lemon go well alongside.
Paella compared with other options
Vans serve one order at a time. A paella pan serves many portions quickly, so everyone can eat at the same time. There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
Why Wildhern hosts choose us
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Fast service from the pan
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Catering across Hampshire, including Wildhern
Take a look at How we price Or What paella catering costs.
What else we do in Wildhern
Where we can cook in Wildhern
If a space is not suitable, we’ll tell you, and suggest an alternative. The main points are:
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- Level ground for the pans and burners
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before you book.
Menu ideas
- Mixed paella
- Seafood paella
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
What paella catering costs
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- How long we are needed on site
- How many guests are eating
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Travel, parking and access
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Details that help
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Where the event is
- The date and rough timings
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can fill in our quote form.
How it works
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you can enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first while the paella cooks. Planning an evening event in Wildhern? Sunset is around 8:55pm in late May, 9:25pm at midsummer and 7:10pm in late September; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- You share your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan a menu that covers every diet.
- We arrive early to set up the burners and pans.
- The sofrito, stock and rice go in, and guests gather to watch.
- Service is straight from the pan, then we pack down.
How to prepare
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
Getting a price
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll make suggestions. Start when you’re ready: fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and handles separate pans for each diet.
What’s in the pans
Mixed paella
Mixed paella brings meat and seafood together.
Paella Valenciana
Paella Valenciana is the original: chicken, beans and saffron, rather than seafood. It is a favourite with guests who don’t eat fish.
- 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