West Sussex · England
Paella party catering in Somerley, West Sussex
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events for events in Somerley and across West Sussex.
- Family reunions
- Celebrations of life
- Anniversary celebrations
Planning an event in Somerley?
Paella party catering in Somerley, cooked live
Homes, gardens, clubs and hired venues all work. For engagement and anniversary parties and family reunions, we’ll put together a menu of chicken and chorizo paella, churros and tapas and more.
Country parties near Somerley suit live paella: cooked outside, served from the pan. Plan a gazebo in case of rain. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
- Where
- Somerley (PO20)
- County
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Who books paella party catering in Somerley?
One big dish beats lots of fiddly ones.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in Somerley and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Garden get-togethers
- Birthday parties
- Baby celebrations
- Anniversary celebrations
If guests are coming by rail, the nearest station is Fishbourne station, about 4 miles north.
Before you book anyone
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- Space, access and power needs
- VAT, if it applies
- When final numbers are due
Diets, allergies and planning
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:
- Plan seats for most guests
- Plan a covered spot for wet weather
- Count adults and children separately
- Have bins ready
We are set up before guests arrive.
We can bring plates, cutlery and staff.
Towns and villages near Somerley
Other catering in Somerley
Common questions in Somerley
We’re having a ceremony at St James' Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you cook near the sea around Somerley?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
When do you arrive?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Of course. A simple chicken paella is usually popular with children. Include children in your numbers.
How much does paella party catering cost in Somerley?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers and we’ll reply with a price.
What if the weather’s bad?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We will make a plan B with you.
Who clears up?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
Is the paella gluten-free?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
Parties in Somerley: gardens, venues and local tips
Somerley is about 4 miles north-west of Selsey, in West Sussex. Across the PO20 area, we can cook for your guests. We cover all 371 towns and villages across West Sussex. Our events stretch from Somerley to Southampton (26 miles away).
Christenings and naming days often start at a local church such as St James' Church, with a paella lunch at home or in a hall afterwards. Near the coast, within about 5 miles, seafood paella is a natural choice.
We cater parties across the PO20 postcode area and the streets around it. That could mean a party in a garden on Bell Lane and Hundredsteddle Lane. If your venue is just outside Somerley, we also cover Almodington (1 mile south-east), Birdham (1 mile north-east), Shipton Green (1 mile north-west), Earnley (1 mile south) and East Wittering (2 miles south-west). Further out, we also cater in Bognor Regis (7 miles east), Chichester (5 miles north-east), Selsey (4 miles south-east), Littlehampton (14 miles east), Emsworth (6 miles north-west) and Rustington (15 miles east).
Nearby you’ll also find Chichester Castle (4.9 miles north-east) and St Richard's Hospital (5.2 miles north-east). The countryside around Somerley includes Pilsey Island.
- Nearby, you’ll find The Birdham Public House (1 mile north-east)
How the day works
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Guests generally gather round to watch as the paella takes shape. A summer party in Somerley stays light until about 9:20pm at midsummer, so a garden party can run well into the evening. By late September sunset is around 7:05pm, so plan festoon lights for later parties.
- We check your date and the space.
- You choose your paellas and any extras.
- We set up the burners and start the sofrito.
- In goes the rice, and guests gather.
- We serve hot and tidy our area afterwards.
How to prepare
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Check the venue allows live cooking
How to get a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we’re available that day.
Related guides
Why live cooking beats a buffet
If you want special but not formal, live paella is hard to beat. Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
What you get with us
- Drinks service on request
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
DIY paella versus live catering
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. 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 enjoy the party, let us cook.
Dishes our guests love
Tapas
A few tapas set the scene while they watch the pans.
Chicken & chorizo paella
It’s one of the most popular pans at parties.
Before you choose a spot
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
Menu ideas
- Seafood paella
- Tapas
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Churros
- Paella Valenciana
For planners, venues and organisers
Throwing a party at home? Send us a photo of the garden and tell us about access, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
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