Surrey · England
Paella Party Catering for Downside events
Bring the theatre of live paella to your party in Downside. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Big birthdays
- Wakes and celebrations of life
Planning an event in Downside?
How our paella party catering works in Downside
Most gardens can host a paella party, if there’s a level spot away from fences and trees. Send us a picture if you’re unsure. We cook chicken and chorizo paella, vegetable paella and seafood paella, and typical bookings are for wakes and memorial gatherings and summer garden parties.
In a small place like Downside, a party in the garden or a nearby field is frequently the plan. Tell us about lanes and parking, and we’ll plan the set-up. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
Before you choose a spot
We’ll be honest if a space won’t work, and suggest an alternative. What matters most:
- Send a photo of the garden so we can check
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Churros
- Mixed paella
- Seafood paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Tapas
- Vegetable paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
Step by step
Service is quick: we serve straight from the pan, so even a long queue moves. When service is finished, we pack down. A summer party in Downside stays light until about 9:20pm at midsummer, so a garden party can run well into the evening. By late September sunset is around 7:05pm, so plan festoon lights for later parties.
- Tell us when and where, and how many.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a quote.
- We set up before guests arrive.
- The paella cooks while your guests chat.
- We serve from the pan and pack down.
Preparing for the day
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Tell us when you want to eat
Getting a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Related guides
Should I cook it myself?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Downside: your questions answered
How far is Downside from London?
Roughly 19 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Can you cook at venues in the Surrey Hills National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Do you do desserts?
We do. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
Yes, if you need them. Let us know what you have, and we’ll quote for the rest.
Will there be enough food?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
How long do you need on site?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Do you cover Downside?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Downside and across Surrey. Send us your date to check availability.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes, on request. Let us know your halal numbers, and it is cooked separately.
Working with your venue
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Places near Downside
What else we do in Downside
Perfect for your party in Downside
It feels like a holiday in your own garden.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In Downside, people book us for events such as:
- Milestone birthdays
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Wakes and celebrations of life
- Garden get-togethers
Nearby historic houses include Byfleet Manor (2.7 miles north-west) and The Homewood (2.8 miles north). Grand settings like these frequently have strict catering rules, so for most parties a garden or hired hall is simpler.
What to look for in a quote
- If the price includes VAT
- Allergen information for each dish
- A clear list of what’s included
- The deadline for final numbers
What paella party catering costs
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- How many staff you need
- The length of service
- Parking and unloading
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, 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:
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Your date and when you want to eat
- The venue or postcode
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, along with any dietary needs, and we’ll reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just fill in our quote form.
Downside parties: what to know
Downside is about 4 miles west of Leatherhead, in Surrey. We cook at parties in homes, gardens and venues in Downside and the surrounding area. Downside is one of 395 places in Surrey we cover. Our events stretch from Downside to Guildford (8 miles away).
Christenings and naming days frequently start at a local church such as St Michael's Chapel, with a paella lunch at home or in a hall afterwards. If guests are coming by rail, the nearest station is Cobham & Stoke Dabernon station, about 1 mile north-east. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Downside, so a garden party here comes with a lovely backdrop.
We cover parties in every part of KT11. From Downside Common, Downsview Close and Deacon Close or a nearby road, we will bring the pans to you. Neighbouring places where we cater parties include Hatchford (1 mile west), Martyr's Green (1 mile south-west), Hatchford End (2 miles west), Whiteley Village (3 miles north) and Wisley (3 miles west). Larger places within reach include Guildford (8 miles south-west), Woking (7 miles west), Camberley (14 miles west), Epsom (6 miles east), Horley (14 miles south-east) and Redhill (12 miles south-east).
A little further out are Epsom Cottage Hospital (5.1 miles north-east) and Send and Ripley History Society Museum (3.8 miles west). Not far away are Jubilee Wood and Boldermere Lake.
- Nearby schools include Parkside School (1.2 miles east)
- Pubs nearby include The Plough Public House (0.7 miles north)
What’s in the pans
Tapas
Bravas, tortilla, croquetas and more to start.
Vegetable paella
Vegetarians get a real main course, and meat eaters frequently try it too.
Is live paella right for your party?
For a party that feels a little special without being formal, live paella is hard to beat. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why Downside hosts choose us
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Fast service from the pan
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- 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