Hampshire · England
Paella party catering in Dean, Hampshire
We cook paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events in Dean and nearby, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Street parties and neighbourhood get-togethers
- Wakes and memorial gatherings
Book paella party catering in Dean
How our paella party catering works in Dean
Birthdays, anniversaries, christenings and summer get-togethers all suit live paella. The cooking is the centrepiece, and the food is served hot and generous. We cook mixed paella, vegetable paella and chicken and chorizo paella, and we are regularly asked to cater baby celebrations and big birthdays.
A country party near Dean is perfect for paella: cooked in the open and served hot. Have a gazebo ready in case of rain. Everything is cooked from scratch at your party, not reheated, and served the moment it is ready.
Should I cook it myself?
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.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
What affects the price in Dean
We will give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- Your choice of paellas
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Timings and hours
- Waiting and bar staff
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
What we need to know
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- Where the event is
- Expected numbers
- Your date and when you want to eat
- A picture of the space, if you can
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can fill in our quote form.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Ordering in is easy but forgettable. Live paella is something guests remember. The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why us?
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Drinks service on request
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
Read How we price And Our guide to catering costs.
Planning the cooking area
If a space isn’t suitable, we will tell you. The main points are:
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before you book.
Menu ideas
- Paella Valenciana
- Tapas
- Vegetable paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Mixed paella
- Churros
- Seafood paella
What else we do in Dean
About the dishes
Tapas
Tapas keep guests going.
Chicken & chorizo paella
Smoky, satisfying and popular with children, ideal for guests who skip seafood.
Step by step
Expect a friendly, organised team. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up our cooking area, and get on with cooking and serving. Sunset in Dean is about 8:55pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June. After dark, the cooking area needs good lighting.
- We check your date and the space.
- You choose your paellas and any extras.
- We set up the burners and start the sofrito.
- In goes the rice, and guests gather.
- It is served hot, and we clear away afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Give us a contact for the day
- Tell us where to park and unload
Ask for a quote
Thinking about paella party catering for your party in Dean? Send us the details and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. Just fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Dean parties: what to know
Dean is about 6 miles north-east of Hedge End, in Hampshire. From the centre of Dean to the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Dean is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire we cover. We cook right across the region, from Dean to Southampton (about 9 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Botley station, about 4.6 miles south-west.
Wherever your party is in SO32, we can cook for your guests. Local streets include Dean Lane, Little Ashton Lane and Limekiln Lane; a party at home on any of them works well with live paella. Nearby, we also cater parties in The Hangers (1 mile east), Upper Swanmore (2 miles south-east), Swanmore (2 miles south), Hill Grove (2 miles south-east) and Droxford (3 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Winchester (8 miles north-west), Gosport (12 miles south), Havant (12 miles south-east), Eastleigh (6 miles west), Fareham (8 miles south) and Horndean (9 miles south-east).
Well-known places in the area include Bishop's Waltham Museum (1.4 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Bishops Waltham Branch LNR and Beacon Hill.
- Nearby schools include Swanmore College of Technology (2.1 miles south)
Catering for every guest
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. Our advice:
- Give the neighbours a heads-up
- Have enough chairs for most guests
- Collect dietary needs with your invites
- Arrange a gazebo in case of rain
After service, we pack down, leaving you to carry on celebrating.
Sangria sets the mood, with an alcohol-free version for drivers and children.
For planners, venues and organisers
If you are planning an event on someone’s behalf, whether you are a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we’ll work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll talk you through the process. We are happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Common questions in Dean
Do you come out to small places like Dean?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
We’re having a ceremony at Church of St Peter: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is normally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Will the neighbours notice?
Less smoke than a barbecue, more smell, and it’s a good smell. Let the neighbours know.
Who clears up?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Can you bring crockery?
Yes, if you need them. Tell us what your venue provides and we’ll include the rest in the quote.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes. We cook vegetarian and vegan paellas in their own pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
What do you need at the venue?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
Is my garden big enough?
Frequently, yes, if there is a level spot clear of fences and trees. Send us a photo of the space.
- 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