West Sussex · England
Paella Party Catering in Merston
Paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events in Merston: paella cooked from scratch in huge pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Big birthdays
- Summer garden parties
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
Paella party catering near Merston
Merston questions
Is Merston too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
What’s the nearest station to Merston for guests?
Chichester station, about 2.3 miles west of the centre.
Is my garden big enough?
Often, yes, if there’s a level spot clear of fences and trees. Send a photo and we’ll check.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, we do. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in a separate pan.
How long does the paella take?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
Can you cater for children?
Of course. Children frequently love a simple chicken paella. Include children in your numbers.
Do you do vegan paella?
Of course. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
About our paella party catering in Merston
The smell of paella cooking is the best party invitation. Guests gather round, glass in hand, to watch. For family reunions and anniversary celebrations, we’ll put together a menu of chicken and chorizo paella, seafood paella and vegetable paella.
In a small place like Merston, a party in the garden or a nearby field is frequently the plan. Tell us about lanes and parking, and we will handle the rest. We plan the timings around your day, so the paella is ready when you want to eat.
- Area
- Merston (PO20)
- County
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning the cooking area
We will be honest if a space won’t work, and suggest an alternative. The main points are:
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
On the menu in Merston
- Seafood paella
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Mixed paella
- Churros
- Tapas
- Chicken & chorizo paella
Paella compared with other options
Unlike a barbecue, paella is ready at once, so nobody waits for the next batch. And nobody is stuck at the grill. Got a budget? Let us know, and we will suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why book with us
- Catering across West Sussex, including Merston
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
Take a look at Our prices page Or What paella catering costs.
Diets, allergies and planning
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Arrange a gazebo in case of rain
- Ensure children stay back from the pans
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Warn the neighbours
When service is finished, we pack down quietly, so the party carries on.
Add bread, salad and lemon.
Who books paella party catering in Merston?
It brings a bit of holiday feeling to a garden party.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in Merston book us for events such as:
- Family reunions
- Celebrations of life
- Anniversary celebrations
- Street parties and neighbourhood get-togethers
Christenings and naming days often start at a local church such as Church of St Giles, with a paella lunch at home or in a hall afterwards.
Comparing caterers
- VAT, if it applies
- The wet-weather plan
- Staff numbers and hours
- Any travel, parking or access charges
How we price paella party catering
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Guest numbers
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- How long we’re needed on site
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Getting an accurate quote
To check availability and price, we need:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- The venue or postcode
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Anything your venue supplies
Thinking about paella party catering for your party in Merston? Tell us what you have in mind and we will reply with a menu and a clear price. To get in touch, use our quote form.
Party venues around Merston
Merston is about 3 miles south-east of Chichester, in West Sussex. Tell us where your party in Merston will be, and we’ll plan access and set-up. Merston is one of 371 places in West Sussex where we cook. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 26 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Chichester station is about 2.3 miles away. Nearby historic houses include Goodwood House (3.5 miles north). If you’re hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on outside caterers first. Near the coast, within about 4 miles, seafood paella is a natural choice.
Anywhere in PO20, we can bring paella party catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. If your venue is just outside Merston, we also cover Runcton (1 mile south-west), Colworth (1 mile east), Oving (1 mile north), North Mundham (1 mile west) and Lagness (1 mile south). Larger places within reach include Worthing (15 miles east), Bognor Regis (3 miles south-east), Chichester (3 miles north-west), Selsey (6 miles south), Littlehampton (9 miles east) and Emsworth (9 miles west).
Well-known places in the area include The Chichester City Museum (2.3 miles north-west) and St Richard's Hospital (2.3 miles north-west).
- Nearby schools include North Mundham Primary School (1.2 miles west) and Chichester High School For Girls (2.1 miles west)
Towns and villages near Merston
What else we do in Merston
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. 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 be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
The menu, dish by dish
Vegetable paella
A proper vegetable paella, not an afterthought, with peppers, beans and artichokes.
Chicken & chorizo paella
Smoky, satisfying and popular with children, ideal for guests who skip seafood.
What happens on the day
A typical event goes like this: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, your guests watch the rice cook, and it’s served hot from the pan when you’re ready to eat. At midsummer, it is light in Merston 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.
- It starts with your date, address, numbers and any diets.
- We suggest a menu and confirm a quote.
- On the day, we set up and get cooking.
- The paella cooks while your guests chat, with any tapas served first.
- We serve from the pan and clear our cooking area away when we are done.
How to prepare
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
How to get a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
Planning help
- 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