East Sussex · England
Paella Party Catering for Iden events
Bring the theatre of live paella to your party in Iden. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, then served hot from the pan.
- Wakes and memorial gatherings
- Birthday parties
- Street parties and neighbourhood get-togethers
Planning an event in Iden?
How our paella party catering works in Iden
A paella party means no cooking for you, and no formal dinner either. We set up in a corner of the garden or venue and cook while your guests chat. We’re frequently asked to cater street parties and neighbourhood get-togethers and anniversaries and engagement parties, serving chicken and chorizo paella, tapas and churros.
Country parties near Iden suit live paella: cooked in the open and served hot. Have a gazebo ready in case of rain. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
- Area
- Iden (TN31)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
What happens on the day
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Your guests are welcome to watch while it cooks. At midsummer, it’s light in Iden until about 9:15pm, which gives a garden party a long evening. By late September sunset is around 7:00pm, 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.
- The rice goes in and your guests gather round.
- It is served hot, and we clear away afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Plan cover in case of rain
Get a quote
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Iden questions
What’s the nearest station to Iden for guests?
The closest is Rye station, roughly 2 miles away.
What about events near the coast?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Do you cook inside?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, because we use gas burners. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
What do you need at the venue?
Not a lot: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a picture.
Can you cater for children?
Yes. A simple chicken paella is usually popular with children. Tell us how many are coming.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria can be added, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, where your guests can watch.
Will the neighbours notice?
Less smoke than a barbecue, more smell, and it is a good smell. Let the neighbours know.
Dishes our guests love
Vegetable paella
Vegetarians get a real main course.
Seafood paella
Seafood paella normally gets the photos, and is best served with lemon.
Catering for every guest
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To make it work smoothly:
- Make sure most people can sit to eat
- Give the neighbours a heads-up
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Plan a covered spot for wet weather
Children love watching the paella cook, at a safe distance.
Churros and chocolate go down well with all ages.
Nearby places to Iden
What else we do in Iden
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Where we can cook in Iden
If a space isn’t suitable, we will tell you, and suggest an alternative. The main points are:
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think before booking.
Menu ideas
- Seafood paella
- Tapas
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Churros
- Paella Valenciana
- Mixed paella
For planners, venues and organisers
If you’re organising for someone else, whether you’re a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we are happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It saves passing messages back and forth.
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Parties in Iden: gardens, venues and local tips
Iden is about 11 miles north-east of Hastings, in East Sussex. Give us the address of your party in Iden, and we will plan access and set-up. Iden is one of 289 towns and villages in East Sussex where we cook. Our events stretch from Iden to Canterbury (26 miles away).
Historic houses near Iden include Lamb House (2.2 miles south) and Smallhythe Place (4.1 miles north). If you’re hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on outside caterers first. After a christening at a church like The Parish Church of All Saints, a paella lunch is an easy way to feed family and friends. Near the coast, within about 3 miles, seafood paella is a natural choice, with shelter from the breeze planned in.
This part of East Sussex takes in TN31, so your party can be anywhere in it. Whether your party is on Parkwood, Elmsmead and Grove Lane or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Neighbouring places where we cater parties include Houghton Green (1 mile south-east), Playden (1 mile south), Rye Foreign (1 mile south-west), East Guldeford (2 miles south-east) and Rye (2 miles south). Further out, we also cater in Hastings (11 miles south-west), Bexhill-on-Sea (15 miles south-west), St Leonards (12 miles south-west), Hastings Old Town (10 miles south-west), Belmont (10 miles south-west) and Hollington (11 miles south-west).
Nearby you’ll also find Rye Castle Museum (East Street) (2.1 miles south) and Ypres Tower (2.2 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Flatropers Wood.
- Nearby schools include Rye College (1.8 miles south)
- Nearby, you will find The Bell Inn (within half a mile north-east)
What paella party catering costs
Your quote will be clear and itemised. What affects it most:
- How many guests are eating
- The paellas you choose
- Whether you need crockery
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
What to tell us
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Expected numbers
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The courses you’d like
- The address or venue name
Still deciding on the menu? That’s fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll make suggestions. Start when you’re ready: use our quote form.
Paella compared with other options
For a party that feels a little special without being formal, live paella fits perfectly. There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Why us?
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- 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