Hampshire · England
Paella party catering in Southend, Hampshire
Love Paella cooks paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events across Southend and Hampshire, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Big family gatherings
- Baby celebrations
- Neighbourhood celebrations
Paella party catering near Southend
Where we can cook in Southend
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
- Level ground for the pans and burners
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
On the menu in Southend
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Tapas
- Churros
- Seafood paella
Paella party catering for your party in Southend
Most gardens can host a paella party, if there’s a level spot away from fences and trees. Not sure? Send a picture. For family reunions and milestone birthdays, we will put together a menu of tapas, churros and seafood paella for your guests.
A country party near Southend is perfect for paella: cooked in the open and served hot. Plan a gazebo in case of rain. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
For planners, venues and organisers
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
Live paella or other catering?
Hog roasts don’t suit vegetarians and vegans. Paella covers everyone with separate pans. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Why us?
- Fast service from the pan
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- No hidden extras in your quote
Take a look at How we price And The cost guide.
What paella party catering costs
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- Your choice of paellas
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Travel, parking and access
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
Larger events usually cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
Details that help
These details help us quote quickly:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- A photo of the space, if you can
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, use our quote form.
How the day works
We work to your timings. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we adjust the cooking so it is served at its best. At midsummer, it is light in Southend until about 9:20pm, so a garden party can run well into the evening. In late September it’s dark by about 7:10pm; add lights for the evening.
- Send us your date, address and numbers.
- You get a menu and a quote.
- We set up before guests arrive.
- Guests watch the paella cook.
- We serve from the pan and pack down.
Getting ready for the day
- Give us a contact for the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Tell us when you want to eat
How to get a price
Send us the date, your venue or SO32 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Dietary needs and planning tips
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Make sure most people can sit to eat
- Count adults and children separately
- Collect dietary needs with your invites
- Give the neighbours a heads-up
The cooking area stays tidy and safe, with space kept clear around the burners.
Add bread, salad and lemon.
Nearby places to Southend
What else we do in Southend
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and do not stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Why choose paella party catering in Southend?
It brings a bit of holiday feeling to a garden party.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Neighbourhood celebrations
- Celebrations of life
- Birthday parties
- Garden get-togethers
Christenings and naming days often start at a local church such as Church of the Holy Trinity, with a paella lunch at home or in a hall afterwards.
Questions to ask before you book
- How bad weather is handled
- What the price includes, item by item
- Space, access and power needs
- The deadline for final numbers
Common questions in Southend
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of the Holy Trinity?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
How far is Southend from London?
Roughly 60 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Will the neighbours notice?
Gas cooking means steam and a good smell, not much smoke. Neighbours may well want an invitation.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
Can you do a kids’ option?
Most children enjoy paella, especially a mild chicken one. Let us know numbers and ages.
Can you cater for children?
Yes, children are easy to cater for. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we will plan for them.
Can you do sangria?
We can make sangria, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
How soon do we need to book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
Planning a party in Southend
Southend is about 5 miles north-west of Waterlooville, in Hampshire. For paella party catering in Southend, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Southend. We cover 683 places across Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Southend to Southampton (about 12 miles away).
If guests are coming by rail, Portchester station is about 5 miles away.
Paella party catering in SO32 is planned around your venue and timings. Other places close to Southend for paella party catering include Newtown (1 mile south-west), Soberton Heath (1 mile west), Hoe Gate (1 mile south-east), Woodend (1 mile west) and Hipley (1 mile south). Larger places within reach include Winchester (13 miles north-west), Gosport (8 miles south), Havant (7 miles south-east), Eastleigh (10 miles west), Fareham (6 miles south-west) and Horndean (5 miles east).
Nearby you’ll also find Knowle Hospital (4.4 miles south-west). Open spaces near Southend include St Clair's Meadow and Portsdown Hill.
- Local pubs include The Bold Forester Public House (0.8 miles north-west)
- 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