Isle of Wight · England
Paella Party Catering for Shorwell events
Treat your guests to live paella at your party in Shorwell. We cook from scratch on site, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Neighbourhood celebrations
- Garden get-togethers
- Wakes and memorial gatherings
Planning an event in Shorwell?
How our paella party catering works in Shorwell
A paella party takes the cooking off your hands without turning the day into a formal dinner. We set up in the garden or venue and cook as your guests chat. Popular choices include churros, mixed paella and chicken and chorizo paella, and we are often booked for engagement and anniversary parties and family get-togethers.
A country party near Shorwell is perfect for paella: cooked in the open and served hot. Have a gazebo ready in case of rain. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
- Area
- Shorwell (PO30)
- County
- Isle of Wight
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Shorwell questions
Is Shorwell too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St. Peter's Church?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
How early should we book?
Early for summer weekends. Check your date with us.
What space do you need to cook?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
Is it really cooked live?
It is. We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook it there and then, then serve straight from the pan.
Who clears up?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
Is my garden big enough?
Most gardens are fine. We need a level spot, clearance from anything flammable and reasonable access. A photo helps.
Will the neighbours notice?
There is a cooking smell, but much less smoke than a barbecue, and it’s a good smell. Let the neighbours know.
Before you choose a spot
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We look for:
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
For somewhere as remote as Shorwell, early notice helps us plan the trip.
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Vegetable paella
- Churros
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Mixed paella
- Tapas
The menu, dish by dish
Chicken & chorizo paella
It is one of the most popular pans at parties.
Seafood paella
The seafood pan is frequently the showpiece, and is best served with lemon.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
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.
What else we do in Shorwell
Diets, allergies and planning
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Have bins ready
- Ask guests about diets when you invite them
- Have enough chairs for most guests
- Make sure children stay back from the pans
Kids are fascinated by the giant pans, at a safe distance.
Churros and chocolate go down well with all ages.
Live paella or other catering?
Ordering in is easy but forgettable. Live paella is something guests remember. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. The full price is confirmed before booking.
Why us?
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Catering across the Isle of Wight, including Shorwell
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
See Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
Events we cater in Shorwell
One big dish is simpler than lots of small ones, and there’s little waste.
We’re booked for all kinds of occasions in Shorwell and nearby. Popular bookings include:
- Family reunions
- Wakes and celebrations of life
- Street parties and neighbourhood get-togethers
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
After a christening at a church like St. Peter's Church, a paella lunch is an easy way to feed family and friends.
What your quote should include
- How long the team stays
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- How bad weather is handled
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
Party venues around Shorwell
Shorwell is about 5 miles south-west of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. Parties in Shorwell are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cover all 125 towns and villages across the Isle of Wight, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Shorwell to Southampton (about 19 miles away).
Historic houses near Shorwell include Northcourt Manor (under half a mile north) and Westcourt Manor (less than half a mile west). Grand settings like these often have strict catering rules, so for most parties a garden or hired hall is simpler.
This part of the Isle of Wight takes in PO30, and we can cater your party anywhere in it. From Fine Lane, Orchards Way and Farriers Way or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Other places close to Shorwell for paella party catering include Thorncross (1 mile south-west), Little Atherfield (2 miles south), Moortown (2 miles west), Brighstone (2 miles west) and Chillerton (2 miles east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Newport (5 miles north-east), Ryde (10 miles north-east), Cowes (8 miles north), Sandown (9 miles east), Shanklin (8 miles east) and Ventnor (7 miles south-east). For a party at a remote venue, let us know early and we will plan the trip.
A little further out are Carisbrooke Castle (3.6 miles north-east) and Whitecroft Hospital (3.1 miles north-east). Not far away are Brighstone Down.
- Local pubs include The Crown Inn (within half a mile north)
How the day works
We work to your timings. If things run behind, we hold the paella at the right stage so it’s served at its best. Sunset in Shorwell is about 8:55pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June. After dark, the cooking area needs good lighting.
- We check your date and the space.
- You pick paellas, tapas and desserts.
- We set up the burners and start the sofrito.
- The rice goes in and your guests gather round.
- We serve hot and tidy our area afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Tell us when you want to eat
Ask for a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can use our quote form.
Related guides
For event organisers in Shorwell
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so guests are fed quickly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
- 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