Hampshire · England
Paella party catering in Ashford, Hampshire
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events in Ashford and the surrounding area.
- Big birthdays
- Anniversary celebrations
- Leaving dos and retirements
Paella party catering near Ashford
For planners, venues and organisers
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so guests are fed quickly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
How our paella party catering works in Ashford
Nothing gets a party going like the smell of paella cooking. People drift over with a drink to watch it cook. We are often asked to cater engagement and anniversary parties and street and neighbourhood parties, serving seafood paella, chicken and chorizo paella and tapas.
Country parties near Ashford suit live paella: cooked in the open and served hot. Plan a gazebo in case of rain. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, with each paella cooked in its own pan.
Party venues around Ashford
Ashford is in Hampshire. Parties in Ashford are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. We cover 683 places across Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Ashford to Southampton (18 miles away).
After a christening at a church like Sandleheath Village Hall, a paella lunch is an easy way to feed family and friends.
Here we cover the SP6 postcode area. That could mean a party in a garden on Station Road, Rookwood Gardens and Ashford Close. Close by, we cover parties in Sandleheath (1 mile west), Alderholt (2 miles south-west), Damerham (2 miles north-west), Rockbourne (3 miles north-west) and Broxhill (3 miles west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Totton (13 miles east), Romsey (15 miles east), New Milton (14 miles south-east), Ringwood (6 miles south), Barton on Sea (14 miles south-east) and Ashley (14 miles south-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Godshill Castle Hill (2.1 miles north-east) and Fordingbridge Museum (0.7 miles east). The countryside around Ashford includes Linbrook Lake and Blashford Lakes.
- Schools near Ashford include The Burgate School and Sixth Form (1 mile north-east)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Ship Inn (0.6 miles east)
Common questions in Ashford
Is Ashford too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Sandleheath Village Hall?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
How long do you need on site?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Of course. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, while the rice is cooking.
Is my garden big enough?
Many gardens work. We need level ground, clearance and access. A photo helps.
Can you cook indoors?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Of course. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, if you need them. Tell us what your venue provides and we’ll include the rest in the quote.
What affects the price in Ashford
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- How long we’re needed on site
- The number of people
- Parking and unloading
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. The full price is confirmed before you book.
What to tell us
To speed things up, tell us:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- The date and rough timings
- A photo of the space, if you can
To get a price, use our quote form. Give us the details of your party, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Where we can cook in Ashford
We will agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Tapas
- Seafood paella
- Vegetable paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Churros
Events we cater in Ashford
One big dish is simpler than lots of small ones, and there is little waste.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in Ashford book us for events such as:
- Christenings and naming days
- Family get-togethers
- Big birthdays
- Celebrations of life
Historic houses near Ashford include Breamore House (3 miles north). If you are hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on outside caterers first.
Before booking anyone
- The deadline for final numbers
- Payment terms and deposit
- How long the team stays
- Allergen information for each dish
A closer look at the menu
Chicken & chorizo paella
Smoky, satisfying and popular with children, and a good choice for guests who do not eat seafood.
Seafood paella
Prawns, mussels and squid in a rich stock.
Places near Ashford
What else we do in Ashford
How it works
Here’s how the day typically runs: we arrive, set up and start cooking, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and we serve straight from the pan when you’re ready to eat. A summer party in Ashford stays light until about 9:25pm at midsummer, so a garden party can run well into the evening. By late September sunset is around 7:10pm, so plan festoon lights for later parties.
- Send us your date, address and numbers.
- You get a menu and a quote.
- We set up before guests arrive.
- Guests watch the paella cook.
- We serve from the pan and pack down.
How to prepare
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
Ask for a quote
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, plus any dietary needs, and we’ll reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just use our quote form.
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Paella compared with other options
Home-made buffets take ages and sit out for hours. Paella is cooked fresh and served hot. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
Why us?
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- A quote that spells everything out
Take a look at How we price Or What paella catering costs.
Planning for every diet
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Keep children and pets away from the burners
- Warn the neighbours
- Plan where rubbish goes
- Add a diet question to the invitation
Booked staff help serve and clear so you can relax.
A jug of sangria sets the tone.
- 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