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

West Sussex · England

Paella party catering in Poynings, West Sussex

Treat your guests to live paella at your party in Poynings. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, then served hot from the pan.

  • Garden get-togethers
  • Milestone birthdays
  • Naming days and christenings

Get a quote

Planning an event in Poynings?

How our paella party catering works in Poynings

The smell of paella cooking is the best party invitation. People drift over with a drink to watch it cook. Typical bookings include street and neighbourhood parties and retirement and leaving parties, serving mixed paella, chicken and chorizo paella and vegetable paella.

Country parties near Poynings suit live paella: cooked in the open and served hot. Plan a gazebo in case of rain. You’ll know exactly what’s included before booking: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.

Area
Poynings (BN45)
County
West Sussex
Special diets
Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
Add-ons
Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
Quote
Quoted for your event
Last updated
23 October 2026
A group of friends from behind, arms round each other at sunset

Space, weather and the venue

If a space is not suitable, we will tell you. What matters most:

  • Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
  • Parking close enough to carry equipment
  • Flat, firm ground for the cooking area

Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.

Popular choices

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

View our sample menu

Poynings parties: what to know

Poynings is about 4 miles north of Brighton and Hove, in West Sussex. For a party in Poynings, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Poynings. Poynings is one of 371 places in West Sussex where we cook.

After a christening at a church like The Church of the Holy Trinity, a paella lunch is an easy way to feed family and friends. If guests are coming by rail, Hassocks station is about 3.3 miles away. The South Downs National Park is within about 5 miles of Poynings, so a garden party here comes with a lovely backdrop. Near the coast, within about 6 miles, seafood paella is a natural choice.

This part of West Sussex takes in BN45. From The Street and Cora's Walk or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Other places close to Poynings for paella party catering include Fulking (1 mile south-west), Hangleton (3 miles south), Portslade (4 miles south), Castle Town (4 miles west) and Kingston by Sea (4 miles south). Larger places within reach include Crawley (15 miles north), Horsham (13 miles north-west), Worthing (10 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (9 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (5 miles north-east) and Littlehampton (15 miles south-west).

A little further out are The Budding Foundation Museum of Gardening (2.9 miles north-east) and Southlands Hospital (4.4 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Wolstonbury Hill and Woods Mill.

  • Local pubs include Royal Oak pub (under half a mile south)
Map of Poynings © OpenStreetMap contributors

A closer look at the menu

Tapas

Bravas, tortilla, croquetas and more while the paella cooks.

Churros

Sugary churros with chocolate, a sweet finish.

Planners, venues and businesses

Organising a club, school or community event in Poynings? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.

Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.

Why choose paella party catering in Poynings?

It is generous and sociable, perfect for celebrations where people want to mingle.

We can help if you’re planning any of the following:

  • Anniversary celebrations
  • Celebrations of life
  • Family reunions
  • Big birthdays

Nearby historic houses include Portslade Manor (3.7 miles south) and Preston Manor & Gardens (4.5 miles south-east). If you’re hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on outside caterers first.

Comparing caterers

  • How bad weather is handled
  • Exactly what’s included in the price
  • Staff numbers and hours
  • Whether VAT is included

Choosing a paella caterer

Dietary needs and planning tips

With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:

  • Let the neighbours know
  • Tell us how many children are coming
  • Add a diet question to the invitation
  • Ensure most people can sit to eat

When service is finished, we pack down quietly, so the party carries on.

Tapas and nibbles while the paella cooks keep guests happy.

What paella party catering costs

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

  • Waiting and bar staff
  • How long we are needed on site
  • The paellas you choose
  • Guest numbers

Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.

What to tell us

You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:

  • Diets and allergies you know about
  • What the venue already provides
  • Where the event is
  • Which courses you have in mind

The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. When you are ready, use our quote form.

Poynings questions

How far is Poynings from London?

Roughly 42 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.

Can you cook at venues in the South Downs National Park?

Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will work to whatever the site needs.

When should I book?

Early is best, but ask even if it is soon. We will check availability straight away.

How long do you need on site?

We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.

How much is live paella catering?

It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.

Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans.

Will it be noisy or smoky?

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

Can you provide dessert?

We do. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices, or you can serve your own cake.

DIY paella versus live catering

You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.

A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.

How the day works

Once the rice is in, we don’t stir it. That is how the grains cook evenly and the toasted base, the socarrat, forms. The smell usually draws people over. Sunset in Poynings is about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June. After dark, the cooking area needs good lighting.

  1. Tell us when and where, and how many.
  2. You get a menu and a quote.
  3. We set up before guests arrive.
  4. The paella cooks while your guests chat.
  5. We serve, then clear our area.

Preparing for the day

  • Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
  • Let us know who to talk to on the day
  • Have a level space ready for the pans

How to get a price

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.

Ask for a quote

Related guides

  • 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