Live paella catering, cooked fresh at your event · London and the South East
Bunting and festoon lights strung across a garden ready for a party

East Sussex · England

Paella party catering in Founthill, East Sussex

Treat your guests to live paella at your party in Founthill. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.

  • Baby celebrations
  • Family reunions
  • Anniversaries and engagement parties

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Planning an event in Founthill?

Paella party catering in Founthill, cooked live

Paella is relaxed food: served from the pan, shared and enjoyed, so nobody needs a formal seating plan. Popular choices include mixed paella, churros and vegetable paella, and we are regularly asked to cater wakes and celebrations of life and family reunions.

A country party near Founthill is perfect for paella: cooked in the open and served hot. Have a gazebo ready in case of rain. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so one booking can cover the whole menu.

Festoon lights and white bunting over a green garden
Area
Founthill (BN8)
County
East Sussex
Diets
Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
Also available
Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
Price
Ask us for a quote
Last updated
23 October 2026

How the day works

We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Guests usually gather round to watch as the paella takes shape. A summer party in Founthill stays light until about 9:20pm at midsummer, so a garden party can run well into the evening. In late September it is dark by about 7:05pm; add lights for the evening.

  1. First, we check the date and the space.
  2. You choose your paellas and any extras.
  3. The burners go on and the sofrito starts.
  4. In goes the rice, and guests gather.
  5. We serve hot and tidy our area afterwards.

Getting ready for the day

  • Have a level space ready for the pans
  • Tell us when you want to eat
  • Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking

Get a quote

We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, use our quote form.

Get a quote

Planning help

What affects the price in Founthill

Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:

  • Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
  • Starters, canapés and desserts
  • Distance and access to the venue
  • Plates, cutlery and glassware

Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.

What we need to know

To speed things up, tell us:

  • Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
  • Approximate guest numbers, including children
  • Any dietary needs and allergies
  • The date and time of the event

Not sure what you need yet? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will make suggestions. Start when you are ready: fill in our quote form.

Hosting a paella party in Founthill

Founthill is about 3 miles west of Uckfield, in East Sussex. We cook at parties in gardens, halls and venues around Founthill and the surrounding area. We cover 289 places across East Sussex. Our events stretch from Founthill to Brighton (about 11 miles away).

If guests are coming by rail, Uckfield station is about 3.3 miles away. The South Downs National Park is within about 7 miles of Founthill, so many gardens around here have a great outlook.

Wherever your party is in BN8, we can cook for your guests. Nearby, we also cater parties in Newick (1 mile north-west), Chailey (1 mile west), North Chailey (2 miles west), South Street (2 miles south-west) and Mount Pleasant (2 miles south). Further out, we also cater in Seaford (13 miles south), Lewes (6 miles south), Hailsham (12 miles south-east), Crowborough (9 miles north-east), Uckfield (3 miles east) and Newhaven (12 miles south).

Other landmarks nearby include Uckfield Community Hospital (3.7 miles east) and Heaven Farm Museum (3.9 miles north).

  • Nearby, you will find The Royal Oak Inn (0.7 miles north)
Map of Founthill © OpenStreetMap contributors

Questions from Founthill

We’re having a ceremony at The Parish Church of St Mary: can you cater afterwards?

Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.

Which station should guests use for Founthill?

The closest is Uckfield station, roughly 3.3 miles away.

Do you cook at halls and clubs?

Yes, if there is a suitable outdoor or ventilated spot to cook. Check the venue allows live cooking.

How much does paella party catering cost in Founthill?

It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.

How soon do we need to book?

Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it is soon.

Do you cook inside?

Typically we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.

Will the neighbours notice?

Less smoke than a barbecue, more smell, and it is a good smell. Let the neighbours know.

When should I book?

As early as you can for summer weekends, which fill up first. Check your date with us.

DIY paella versus live catering

Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.

Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.

Catering for every guest

Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Here’s how you can help:

  • Keep a clear zone around the cooking area
  • Have cover ready for a shower
  • Give separate numbers for children
  • Plan seats for most guests

Kids are fascinated by the giant pans, at a safe distance.

Churros and chocolate go down well with all ages.

About the dishes

Chicken & chorizo paella

Smoky, satisfying and popular with children, ideal for guests who skip seafood.

Tapas

Patatas bravas, tortilla, croquetas and olives to start.

Events we cater in Founthill

Any occasion works, from a first birthday to a ruby wedding.

Live paella works for big and small events alike. Typical bookings include:

  • Family reunions
  • Summer garden parties
  • Celebrations of life
  • Naming days and christenings

After a christening at a church like The Parish Church of St Mary, a paella lunch is an easy way to feed family and friends.

Before booking anyone

  • Payment terms and deposit
  • Travel and parking costs
  • Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
  • How long the team stays

Our caterer checklist

Paella compared with other options

Cooking yourself saves money but costs you the party. Book us and you’re free to enjoy it. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.

Why book with us

  • Starters and desserts to complete the menu
  • Paella cooked from scratch on site
  • Served hot, straight from the pan
  • No hidden extras in your quote

See How we price And What paella catering costs.

What we need at the venue

Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but a few things matter:

  • Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
  • The venue’s permission for live cooking
  • Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable

Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.

What we offer

  • Mixed paella
  • Paella Valenciana
  • Seafood paella
  • Vegetable paella
  • Tapas
  • Chicken & chorizo paella
  • Churros

View our sample menu

  • 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

See the menu · How it works · Get a quote