Surrey · England
Live paella catering in Woodham, Surrey
Looking for paella catering in Woodham? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Anniversary celebrations
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Family celebrations and christenings
Paella catering in Woodham
Space, weather and the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- Somewhere close to park and unload
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
What we offer
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Seafood paella
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
How our paella catering works in Woodham
Everything is cooked from scratch on site, starting with a slow sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, followed by stock, saffron and rice. We are often asked to cater fairs, fêtes and festivals and leaving dos and retirements, with vegan paella, seafood paella and mixed paella.
In and around Woodham, gardens and local halls are common choices. If the road in is narrow, tell us so we can plan the van. You’ll know exactly what’s included before booking: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
How we price paella catering
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Travel, parking and access
- The paellas you choose
- How many staff you need
- Timings and hours
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What to tell us
To check availability and price, we need:
- What the venue already provides
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Which courses you have in mind
- Expected numbers
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can send us your details through our quote form.
DIY paella versus live catering
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Planners, venues and businesses
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Is live paella right for your event?
A plated meal needs a kitchen, more staff and typically costs more per head. Live paella needs a level, ventilated spot and the venue’s permission to cook, and it’s entertaining too. Larger events typically cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Why us?
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Events in Woodham and across Surrey
- Drinks service on request
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
Read How we price Or Our guide to catering costs.
Common questions in Woodham
How far is Woodham from London?
About 21 miles from central London, and well within our area.
We are having a ceremony at Church of St John the Baptist: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes. Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana, or you can serve your own cake.
How much is live paella catering?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
Is paella enough as a main?
Paella is a meal in itself. Many hosts add tapas first or dessert after.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Children are welcome. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we’ll plan a pan with them in mind.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes, and meat eaters often go back for seconds. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Do we need to provide equipment?
We bring all the cooking equipment. Let us know what your venue has, like tables or crockery.
Dishes our guests love
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, and is normally served with alioli. It makes a dramatic second seafood pan.
Vegetable and vegan paella
A slow sofrito, seasonal vegetables and a good vegetable stock make a proper main dish. For vegans, the stock is plant-based.
Planning live paella in Woodham
Woodham is about 3 miles north-east of Woking, in Surrey. For paella catering in Woodham, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices in and around Woodham. Woodham is one of 395 places in Surrey where we cook. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 7 miles away.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is West Byfleet station, about 0.5 miles south-east. For a christening or wedding at a church such as Church of St John the Baptist, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone.
Wherever your event is in KT15 and GU21, we can bring paella catering to you. Your event could be at a home on Willow Close, Greenwood Close and Westwood Avenue. Neighbouring places where we cater events include West Byfleet (1 mile south-east), Sheerwater (1 mile south-west), Pyrford (1 mile south), Row Town (1 mile north) and Ottershaw (1 mile north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Guildford (7 miles south), Woking (3 miles south-west), Camberley (9 miles west), Epsom (11 miles east), Farnham (15 miles south-west) and Ewell (11 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include St. Peter's Hospital (2.3 miles north) and The Peacocks (2.6 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include St Ann's Hill and Papercourt Marshes.
- Local schools include The Grange Community Infant School (0.5 miles north-east) and The Bishop David Brown School (0.7 miles south-west)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Station pub (0.5 miles south-east)
Dietary needs and planning tips
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To make it work smoothly:
- Choose two or three paellas so every guest has a choice
- Confirm allergies by email
- Have seats for most of your guests
- Collect dietary needs with your RSVPs
Once the rice is in, it needs about 20 minutes, so we start it at the right moment for your event. If timings shift, we adapt.
Finish with churros, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago, or serve your own cake.
How the day works
We work to your timings. If things run behind, we hold the paella at the right stage so it is served at its best. Around midsummer it stays light in Woodham until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening events are usually served in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 3:55pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- Start with the date, the place and the numbers.
- Expect a menu idea and a clear, itemised price.
- Closer to the day, we confirm timings and the cooking spot.
- We set up, cook from scratch and keep an eye on your timings.
- Guests are served from the pan, and our area is cleared afterwards.
How to prepare
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
Ask for a quote
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will make suggestions. Start when you are ready: use our quote form.
Read more
Also near Woodham
More for events in Woodham
- 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