Surrey · England
Paella Party Catering in Shalford
Looking for paella party catering in Shalford? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Garden get-togethers
- Family reunions
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
Paella party catering in Shalford
Planning a party in Shalford
Shalford is about 2 miles south of Guildford, in Surrey. For paella party catering in Shalford, we plan around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cater in all 395 towns and villages in Surrey.
Parks such as Shalford Mill normally need permission for cooking, so a garden or hired venue is often easier. Nearby historic houses include Guildford Castle (1.5 miles north) and Chilworth Manor (1.6 miles east). Grand settings like these often have strict catering rules, so for most parties a garden or hired hall is simpler. Shalford is within about 5 miles of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, so a garden party here comes with a lovely backdrop.
Paella party catering in GU4 is planned around your venue and timings. From Station Road, The Street and Kings Road or a nearby road, we can cook there. Other places close to Shalford for paella party catering include Broadford (1 mile west), East Shalford (1 mile north-east), Peasmarsh (1 mile south-west), Artington (1 mile north-west) and Chilworth (1 mile east). Within a short drive, we also cover Woking (7 miles north), Camberley (11 miles north-west), Epsom (15 miles north-east), Farnham (10 miles west), Egham (15 miles north) and Walton-on-Thames (14 miles north-east).
A little further out are Guildford Castle (1.5 miles north) and Surrey Police Museum (1.1 miles north-west). Open spaces near Shalford include Lower Lake and Pewley Down.
- Schools near Shalford include St Catherine's School (1.1 miles south) and Broadwater School (1.5 miles south-west)
- Local pubs include The Queen Victoria pub (less than half a mile north-west)
How our paella party catering works in Shalford
The smell of paella cooking is the best party invitation. Guests gather round, glass in hand, to watch. We’re often asked to cater retirement celebrations and milestone birthdays, with tapas, chicken and chorizo paella and mixed paella.
Near Shalford, parties are frequently in gardens or fields. Let us know about access, and we’ll handle the rest. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
Also near Shalford
Other catering in Shalford
Why live cooking beats a buffet
For a party that feels a little special without being formal, live paella is hard to beat. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. Everything is confirmed in writing.
What you get with us
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- No hidden extras in your quote
Read Our prices page And The cost guide.
Your questions about paella party catering in Shalford
Can you cook in Shalford Mill?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, normally the council. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
Do you cater in the Surrey Hills National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will follow the site rules.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
Do you cater in Shalford?
We do. Shalford is one of the places we cover. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
When do you arrive?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Will the neighbours notice?
Paella is cooked over gas, so there’s cooking steam and smell but little smoke. Neighbours may well want an invitation.
How much is live paella catering?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Of course. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, served while the paella cooks.
Planning for every diet
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Give separate numbers for children
- Keep a clear zone around the cooking area
- Give the neighbours a heads-up
- Plan where rubbish goes
If you’ve booked staff, they’ll help serve and clear so you can relax.
A jug of sangria sets the tone, with an alcohol-free version for drivers and children.
What paella party catering costs
These are the factors that matter most:
- Timings and hours
- How many guests are eating
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- How many staff you need
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What to tell us
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- What the venue already provides
- A photo of the space, if you can
- The address or venue name
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will come back with a clear quote.
Why choose paella party catering in Shalford?
One big dish beats lots of fiddly ones, and there is little waste.
In Shalford and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Some of the most common are:
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Street and neighbourhood parties
- Christenings and naming days
After a christening at a church like Church of St Mary the Virgin, a paella lunch is an easy way to feed family and friends.
Before booking anyone
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- How bad weather is handled
- Allergen information for each dish
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
Dishes our guests love
Seafood paella
A seafood pan with prawns and mussels.
Churros
Fried, sugared and dipped in chocolate, a sweet finish.
How the day works
We get there well before serving, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Your guests are welcome to watch as the paella takes shape. Sunset in Shalford is about 8:55pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June. If the party runs past dark, we will need light where we cook and serve.
- We check your date and the space.
- You choose your paellas and any extras.
- The burners go on and the sofrito starts.
- In goes the rice, and guests gather.
- We serve hot and tidy our area afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
Getting a price
The quickest way to a quote is to fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your party, and we will put together a menu and price.
Related guides
For planners, venues and organisers
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.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will explain how it works. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
- 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