Hampshire · England
Paella party catering in Thedden, Hampshire
Planning paella party catering in Thedden? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Milestone birthdays
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
Paella party catering for Thedden events
Paella party catering in Thedden, cooked live
We cater parties at homes, village halls with outdoor space, clubs and hired venues. For anniversaries and engagement parties and family reunions, we can cook churros, chicken and chorizo paella and tapas for your guests.
A country party near Thedden is perfect for paella: cooked outside, served from the pan. Have a gazebo ready in case of rain. We serve straight from the pan, so it is hot and generous, and a queue moves quickly.
Where we can cook in Thedden
No two venues are the same, so we’ll ask about yours when you contact us. In general, we need:
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
What we offer
- Paella Valenciana
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Tapas
- Seafood paella
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Churros
Catering for every guest
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Arrange a gazebo in case of rain
- Plan seats for most guests
- Give the neighbours a heads-up
- Keep a clear zone around the cooking area
At food time, we serve straight from the pan, while you enjoy your guests.
Churros and chocolate go down well with all ages.
Is live paella right for your party?
A buffet takes hours to prepare and leaves food sitting out. Paella is cooked fresh and served hot. Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We’ll send you a quote.
Why us?
- Catering across Hampshire, including Thedden
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Real theatre, not just catering
Take a look at Our pricing Or Our guide to catering costs.
Occasions we cook for in Thedden
It suits mixed ages and mixed diets, from toddlers to grandparents.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in Thedden and nearby. Popular bookings include:
- Birthday parties
- Wakes and celebrations of life
- Family reunions
- Garden get-togethers
Christenings and naming days often start at a local church such as St Peter's, with a paella lunch at home or in a hall afterwards.
What to look for in a quote
- A clear list of what’s included
- The venue requirements
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- What happens if it rains
The process
The paella is cooked in giant, shallow pans over gas burners. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, which we agree with you beforehand. For a late-May party in Thedden, sunset is around 8:55pm; at midsummer it’s about 9:25pm. If the party runs past dark, we’ll need light where we cook and serve.
- Send us the date, the address, numbers and diets.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a quote.
- We arrive, set up in your garden or venue and start the sofrito.
- Your guests watch the paella cook, with tapas first if you’ve chosen them.
- It’s served from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
Ask for a quote
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
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Party venues around Thedden
Thedden is about 2 miles west of Alton, in Hampshire. From the centre of Thedden to the outskirts, paella party catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cook in all 683 towns and villages across Hampshire. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 21 miles away.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Alton station, about 2.6 miles east. Nearby historic houses include Bentworth Hall (1 mile west) and Hall Place (1.3 miles north-west). Grand settings like these frequently have strict catering rules, so for most parties a garden or hired hall is simpler.
Here we cover the GU34 postcode area, so your party can be anywhere in it. Neighbouring places where we cater parties include Beech (1 mile south-east), Wivelrod (1 mile south-west), Bentworth (1 mile north-west), Holt End (1 mile west) and New Copse (2 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Basingstoke (9 miles north), Winchester (14 miles south-west), Farnborough (15 miles north-east), Fleet (12 miles north-east), Aldershot (13 miles north-east) and Petersfield (10 miles south).
A little further out are Alton Community Hospital (1.6 miles east) and Barton Castle (3.9 miles west). Open spaces near Thedden include King's Hill.
What else we do in Thedden
Common questions in Thedden
Is Thedden 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.
We’re having a ceremony at St Peter's: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is typically elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you cook in the rain?
We cook under cover, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Should we have more than one paella?
Normally two or three, so every guest has a choice. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we will suggest the mix.
Can you supply crockery?
On request. Proper crockery or good-quality disposables can be added.
Can you cook indoors?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Courtyards, doorways and terraces frequently work.
Does it make plenty of smoke?
There is a cooking smell, but much less smoke than a barbecue. A friendly note to the neighbours helps.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Of course. Children often love a simple chicken paella. Tell us how many are coming.
Working with your venue
Hosting a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
About the dishes
Churros
Churros are a treat for all ages.
Seafood paella
The seafood pan is often the showpiece, and is best served with lemon.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
- 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
