Hampshire · England
Paella Party Catering in Downton
Paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events in Downton: paella cooked from scratch in huge pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Big family gatherings
- Street parties and neighbourhood get-togethers
- Anniversary celebrations
Paella party catering in Downton
About our paella party catering in Downton
Birthdays, anniversaries, christenings and summer get-togethers all suit live paella. The cooking is the centrepiece, and everyone gets a hot, generous plate. Whether it’s leaving dos and retirements and naming days and christenings, we will put together a menu of chicken and chorizo paella, tapas and mixed paella and more.
A country party near Downton is perfect for paella: cooked in the open and served hot. Plan a gazebo in case of rain. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
FAQs for Downton
Do you cater in the New Forest National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll follow the site rules.
Which station should guests use for Downton?
New Milton station, about 2 miles north-west of the centre.
Do you do desserts?
We do. Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana, or you can serve your own cake.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in a separate pan.
What space do you need to cook?
Less than you might think: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a photo.
Can you do a kids’ option?
Paella is popular with children, particularly a simple chicken pan. Let us know numbers and ages.
Places near Downton
More for events in Downton
Organising for someone else?
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Downton? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
What happens on the day
When we arrive, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so the timing is planned around your event. A summer party in Downton stays light until about 9:25pm at midsummer, which gives a garden party a long evening. By late September sunset is around 7:10pm, so plan festoon lights for later parties.
- We check your date and the space.
- You pick paellas, tapas and desserts.
- The burners go on and the sofrito starts.
- In goes the rice, and guests gather.
- It’s served hot, and we clear away afterwards.
How to prepare
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
Get a quote
Send us the date, your venue or SO41 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and you’ll get a menu idea and a price. Just fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Why choose paella party catering in Downton?
It works whatever the occasion, from a first birthday to a ruby wedding.
Whatever you’re celebrating in Downton, live paella can be the centrepiece. We frequently cook for:
- Retirement celebrations
- Summer garden parties
- Big birthdays
- Wakes and celebrations of life
Nearby historic houses include Highcliffe Castle (4.2 miles west). If you’re hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on outside caterers first.
Before booking anyone
- Whether VAT is included
- The deposit and payment dates
- Whether travel is included
- Space, access and power needs
Where we can cook in Downton
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
- Send a photo of the garden so we can check
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Paella Valenciana
- Churros
- Tapas
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
The menu, dish by dish
Vegetable paella
Vegetable paella in its own right, with peppers, beans and artichokes.
Chicken & chorizo paella
A smoky favourite with children and adults, and a good choice for guests who don’t eat seafood.
Why choose live paella in Downton?
For a party that feels a little special without being formal, live paella fits perfectly. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before you book.
What you get with us
- A clear, itemised quote
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Events in Downton and across Hampshire
- Drinks service on request
Take a look at Our pricing And The cost guide.
Parties in Downton: gardens, venues and local tips
Downton is about 3 miles west of Lymington, in Hampshire. Tell us where your party in Downton will be, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up before the day. We cook in 683 places across Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 16 miles away.
If guests are coming by rail, New Milton station is about 2 miles away. After a christening at a church like Church of All Saints, a paella lunch is an easy way to feed family and friends. The New Forest National Park is within about 6 miles of Downton, so a garden party here comes with a lovely backdrop. The coast is within about 4 miles, so seafood paella frequently features.
This part of Hampshire takes in SO41. We can cater a party on streets such as Hordle Lane and Shorefield Road. Other places close to Downton for paella party catering include Leagreen (1 mile east), Hordle (1 mile north), Ashley (2 miles north-west), Barton on Sea (2 miles west) and New Milton (2 miles north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Totton (13 miles north), Lymington (3 miles east), Hythe (13 miles north-east), Ringwood (10 miles north-west), Dibden Purlieu (12 miles north-east) and Marchwood (13 miles north-east).
A little further out are Lymington New Forest Hospital (3.7 miles north-east) and Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum (2.9 miles north-west). The countryside around Downton includes Milford on Sea LNR.
- Schools near Downton include The Arnewood School (2.1 miles west)
What affects the price in Downton
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Travel, parking and access
- The length of service
- How many courses
- The paellas you choose
Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we will suggest a menu.
What we need to know
To speed things up, tell us:
- Your date and when you want to eat
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Anything your venue supplies
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
- 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