West Sussex · England
Paella party catering in River, West Sussex
Paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events in River: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Wakes and celebrations of life
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Summer garden parties
Paella party catering in River
Paella party catering in River, cooked live
Paella is relaxed food: it is served from the pan and shared, so nobody needs a formal seating plan. We are often asked to cater neighbourhood celebrations and naming days and christenings, with mixed paella, seafood paella and vegetable paella.
A country party near River is perfect for paella: cooked in the open and served hot. Plan a gazebo in case of rain. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
- Area
- River (GU28)
- County
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Space, weather and the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
On the menu in River
- Tapas
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood paella
- Churros
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Mixed paella
Prices and what affects them
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- The length of service
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Your choice of paellas
The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
What to tell us
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Roughly how many adults and children
- The venue or postcode
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can fill in our quote form.
The process
The paella is cooked in huge, shallow pans over gas burners. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, and we agree where that is before the day. A summer party in River 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.
- First, we check the date and the space.
- You pick paellas, tapas and desserts.
- We set up the burners and start the sofrito.
- In goes the rice, and guests gather.
- It is served hot, and we clear away afterwards.
Before we arrive
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
Ask for a quote
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Why choose live paella in River?
Ordering in is easy but forgettable. Live paella gives guests a show. There’s 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 River hosts choose us
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Fast service from the pan
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
Planning for every diet
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Keep a clear zone around the cooking area
- Have cover ready for a shower
- Let the neighbours know
- Give separate numbers for children
After service, we pack down, leaving you to carry on celebrating.
Add bread, salad and lemon.
DIY paella versus live catering
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
FAQs for River
We’re having a ceremony at The Parish Church of St Peter: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you cook at venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll follow the site rules.
Do you cater for children?
Of course. Children usually love a plain chicken paella. Tell us how many children are coming.
Can you cook indoors?
Usually we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, because we use gas burners. We will check whether your venue has a suitable space.
What about pudding?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
How far ahead should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Will it be noisy or smoky?
Paella is cooked over gas, so there’s cooking steam and smell but little smoke. Neighbours may well want an invitation.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain does not stop us, as long as there is a ventilated cover. We’ll talk it through before the day.
Events we cater in River
It’s the easiest way to feed a party without being stuck in the kitchen, and guests love it.
If you are planning any of these, we can help:
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Naming days and christenings
- Wakes and celebrations of life
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
After a christening at a church like The Parish Church of St Peter, a paella lunch is an easy way to feed family and friends.
Questions to ask before you book
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- When payment is due
- What happens if it rains
- The deadline for final numbers
Party venues around River
River is about 12 miles east of Petersfield, in West Sussex. For paella party catering in River, we plan around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. River is one of 371 places in West Sussex we cover. We cook right across the region, from River to Guildford (17 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Petworth House (2.4 miles east) and Cowdray House (3.1 miles west). If you’re hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on outside caterers first. River is within about 4 miles of the South Downs National Park, so a garden party here comes with a lovely backdrop.
For paella party catering in GU28, we plan around your venue. If your venue is just outside River, we also cover Upperton (1 mile east), Selham (2 miles south), Tillington (2 miles south-east), South Ambersham (2 miles south-west) and Hampers Green (2 miles east). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (14 miles south), Chichester (12 miles south-west), Littlehampton (14 miles south-east), Rustington (15 miles south-east), Storrington (11 miles south-east) and Billingshurst (9 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Lodsworth Castle (1.3 miles south) and Coultershaw Heritage Site (3 miles south-east). The countryside around River includes Graffham Common and Blackdown.
- Nearby, you will find The Hollist Arms Public House (0.7 miles west)
Nearby places to River
More for events in River
Organising for someone else?
Organising a club, school or community event in River? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
Hosting a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we will tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
- 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