Surrey · England
Paella Party Catering for Elstead events
Bring the theatre of live paella to your party in Elstead. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, then served hot from the pan.
- Wakes and memorial gatherings
- Big birthdays
- Family get-togethers
Planning an event in Elstead?
Planning for every diet
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Here’s how:
- Keep children and pets away from the burners
- Plan where rubbish goes
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Arrange a gazebo in case of rain
We arrive before your guests to set up.
Tapas and nibbles while the paella cooks keep guests happy.
Paella party catering in Elstead, made fresh on the day
Live paella suits birthdays, anniversaries, christenings and summer parties. The pans become the focal point, and everyone gets a hot, generous plate. Whether it is leaving dos and retirements and big family gatherings, we can cook mixed paella, seafood paella and tapas for your guests.
For a party in Elstead, your garden is often the best venue. Tell us about access and parking, and we will do the rest. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
Parties in Elstead: gardens, venues and local tips
Elstead is about 4 miles south-east of Farnham, in Surrey. Parties in Elstead are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cater in 395 places in Surrey. We cook right across the region, from Elstead to Guildford (7 miles away).
After a christening at a church like Church of St James, a paella lunch is an easy way to feed family and friends. Thinking of a party in Thundry Meadows? Cooking in a public park generally needs permission from the council or landowner, so check first. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 5 miles of Elstead, so a garden party here comes with a lovely backdrop.
For paella party catering in GU8, we plan around your venue. We can cater a party on streets such as Springfield, Orchard Close and Back Lane. Close by, we cover parties in Charleshill (1 mile north-west), Tilford (2 miles west), Tilford Common (2 miles west), Thursley (2 miles south) and Rushmoor (3 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Guildford (7 miles north-east), Woking (11 miles north-east), Camberley (10 miles north), Farnham (4 miles north-west), Frimley (9 miles north) and Haslemere (7 miles south).
Nearby you’ll also find Milford Hospital (3.4 miles east) and Seale and Tongham (2.7 miles north-west). Open spaces near Elstead include Culverswell Hill and Upper Lake.
- Pubs nearby include The Woolpack pub (under half a mile north-west)
Perfect for your party in Elstead
It’s generous and sociable, ideal when people want to mingle.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Birthday parties
- Christenings and naming days
- Neighbourhood celebrations
- Retirement and leaving parties
Nearby historic houses include Wanborough Manor (3.7 miles north-east) and Loseley Park (4.7 miles north-east). If you are hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on outside caterers first.
Comparing caterers
- VAT, if it applies
- The deposit and payment dates
- How bad weather is handled
- What the caterer needs from your venue
What happens on the day
Watching it cook is half the fun. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook while your guests chat. At midsummer, it’s light in Elstead until about 9:20pm, which gives a garden party a long evening. By late September sunset is around 7:05pm, so plan festoon lights for later parties.
- Send us your date, address and numbers.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a quote.
- We arrive before your guests and set up.
- Guests watch the paella cook.
- We serve from the pan and pack down.
How to prepare
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Tell us when you want to eat
Get a quote
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Read more
Common questions in Elstead
Could we have live paella in Thundry Meadows?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, generally the council. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St James?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is typically elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Do you do desserts?
We can add a dessert. Let us know if you’d like one when you ask for a quote.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
We can. Tell us what your venue provides and we’ll include the rest in the quote.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we take the right care.
What space do you need to cook?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
How long do you need on site?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
How much paella per person?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Tell us what else is being served. See how much paella per person.
Also near Elstead
What else we do in Elstead
A closer look at the menu
Tapas
A few tapas set the scene while they watch the pans.
Churros
All ages love churros.
Before you choose a spot
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- A quick photo of the spot helps us plan
- Level ground for the pans and burners
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
On the menu in Elstead
- Paella Valenciana
- Churros
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Tapas
- Seafood paella
What affects the price in Elstead
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- The paellas you choose
- Whether you need crockery
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Travel, parking and access
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What to tell us
To check availability and price, we need:
- A picture of the space, if you can
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Which courses you have in mind
- Anything your venue supplies
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can fill in our quote form.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Hog roasts don’t suit vegetarians and vegans. Separate paella pans cover everyone. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Why book with us
- Fast service from the pan
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- No hidden extras in your quote
Take a look at Our prices page Or What paella catering costs.
Planners, venues and businesses
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will talk you through the process. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
- 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