Hampshire · England
Paella Party Catering in St Ives
Bring the theatre of live paella to your party in St Ives. We cook from scratch on site, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Family reunions
- Big birthdays
- Wakes and memorial gatherings
Book paella party catering in St Ives
Paella party catering in St Ives, cooked live
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. On the menu are chicken and chorizo paella, mixed paella and seafood paella, and we’re regularly asked to cater christenings and naming days and celebrations of life.
A country party near St Ives is perfect for paella: cooked in the open and served hot. Have a gazebo ready in case of rain. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
Working with your venue
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Diets, allergies and planning
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Keep children and pets away from the burners
- Warn the neighbours
- Collect dietary needs with your invites
- Put out bins for general waste and recycling
When service is finished, we pack down quietly, so the party carries on.
Tapas and nibbles while the paella cooks keep hunger at bay.
The menu, dish by dish
Tapas
Patatas bravas, tortilla, croquetas and olives while the paella cooks.
Vegetable paella
A proper vegetable paella, not an afterthought.
FAQs for St Ives
Do you cater in the New Forest National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will work to whatever the site needs.
We are having a ceremony at All Saints: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking generally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you bring crockery?
Yes, if you need them. Let us know what you have, and we’ll quote for the rest.
How much paella per person?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Do you do vegan paella?
Of course. We cook vegetarian and vegan paellas in their own pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
How early should we book?
The sooner the better, but it is always worth asking. We will check availability right away.
When do you arrive?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
What areas do you cover?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Where we can cook in St Ives
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before booking.
Popular choices
- Churros
- Mixed paella
- Tapas
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
What happens on the day
When we arrive, we set up our cooking area, light the burners and start the sofrito. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so the timing is planned around your event. At midsummer, it’s light in St Ives until about 9:25pm, so a garden party can run well into the evening. By late September sunset is around 7:10pm, so plan festoon lights for later parties.
- Send us your date, address and numbers.
- You get a menu and a quote.
- We arrive before your guests and set up.
- The paella cooks while your guests chat.
- We serve from the pan and pack down.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Have a level space ready for the pans
How to get a price
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Planning help
Places near St Ives
More for events in St Ives
Parties in St Ives: gardens, venues and local tips
St Ives is in Hampshire. For paella party catering in St Ives, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around St Ives. St Ives is one of 683 places in Hampshire where we cook. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 20 miles away.
After a christening at a church like All Saints, a paella lunch is an easy way to feed family and friends. Historic houses near St Ives include Avon Tyrrell House (4.5 miles south-east). If you are hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on outside caterers first. The New Forest National Park is within about 6 miles of St Ives, so many gardens around here have a great outlook.
We cover parties in every part of BH24. Streets in the area include Compton Beeches, Post Office Lane and Azalea Close, and we can cook for a party on any of them. If your venue is just outside St Ives, we also cover Ashley Heath (1 mile west), Avon Castle (1 mile south-east), St Leonards (1 mile south-west) and Matchams (1 mile south). Further out, we also cater in Totton (15 miles east), Lymington (13 miles south-east), New Milton (9 miles south-east), Barton on Sea (10 miles south-east), Ashley (10 miles south-east) and Milford on Sea (13 miles south-east).
Other landmarks nearby include St Leonard's Hospital (1.8 miles south-west). Open spaces near St Ives include Blashford Lakes and Linbrook Lake.
- Nearby schools include Ringwood Waldorf School (0.9 miles north-east) and Ringwood School (2 miles north-east)
Why live cooking beats a buffet
If you want special but not formal, live paella fits perfectly. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why us?
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Fast service from the pan
- Real theatre, not just catering
- A quote that spells everything out
Read How we price And The cost guide.
Perfect for your party in St Ives
Any occasion works, from christenings to retirements.
If you are planning any of these, we can help:
- Garden get-togethers
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Milestone birthdays
- Engagement and anniversary parties
Parks such as Avon Heath Country Park usually need permission for cooking, so a garden or hired venue is frequently easier.
Before booking anyone
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- The deadline for final numbers
- What happens if it rains
- When payment is due
- 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