Greater London · England
Paella Party Catering in West Dulwich
Love Paella cooks paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events in West Dulwich and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Family reunions
- Street parties and neighbourhood get-togethers
Paella party catering for West Dulwich events
Paella party catering in West Dulwich, made fresh on the day
You get to enjoy your own party: no shopping, prep or cooking. The food is our job. We cook vegetable paella, seafood paella and chicken and chorizo paella, and typical bookings are for big family gatherings and retirement and leaving parties.
Most parties in West Dulwich are in back gardens, which in London can be compact. We need a level spot clear of fences and trees, and somewhere to park and unload. Send a picture of the garden. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
- Where
- West Dulwich (SE21, SE27, SE19)
- County
- Greater London
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning the cooking area
Every venue is different, so we ask about the space when you contact us. Generally, we look for:
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- Somewhere close to park and unload
- Level ground for the pans and burners
West Dulwich is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
Menu ideas
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Seafood paella
- Tapas
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Churros
What’s in the pans
Vegetable paella
A proper vegetable paella, not an afterthought, with peppers, beans and artichokes.
Chicken & chorizo paella
It is one of the most popular pans at parties.
Prices and what affects them
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- Travel, parking and access
- Your choice of paellas
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Guest numbers
Larger events normally cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
What to tell us
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Roughly how many adults and children
- What the venue already provides
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
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.
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. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Planning for every diet
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Plan a covered spot for wet weather
- Ensure most people can sit to eat
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Add a diet question to the invitation
We arrive before your guests to set up, so the cooking is under way as people arrive.
Churros and chocolate go down well with all ages.
What happens on the day
The cooking is part of the entertainment. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook. A summer party in West Dulwich stays light until about 9:20pm at midsummer, so a garden party can run well into the evening. In late September it’s dark by about 7:05pm; add lights for the evening.
- 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, then clear our area.
Before we arrive
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Give us a contact for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
Getting a price
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Organising for someone else?
Hosting a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in West Dulwich? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we will suggest a menu.
Towns and villages near West Dulwich
More for events in West Dulwich
West Dulwich questions
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Stephen?
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 usually elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
What’s the nearest station to West Dulwich for guests?
West Dulwich has its own station: Sydenham Hill station.
Will it be noisy or smoky?
There’s a cooking smell, but much less smoke than a barbecue. A friendly note to the neighbours helps.
Is the paella gluten-free?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we take the right care.
How many different paellas?
Two or three is usual: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We will suggest a split based on your guests.
When should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
Is my garden big enough?
Often, yes, if there is a level spot clear of fences and trees. Send a photo and we will check.
Can you supply crockery?
If you need them. Crockery or disposables are available.
Party venues around West Dulwich
West Dulwich is about 1 mile north-east of West Norwood, in Greater London. For a party in West Dulwich, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices in and around West Dulwich. We cover 764 places across Greater London.
Local halls and clubs near West Dulwich are an option if the garden is small. Historic houses near West Dulwich include Kingswood House (within half a mile south) and Queen's House (4.8 miles north-east). Grand settings like these frequently have strict catering rules, so for most parties a garden or hired hall is simpler.
For paella party catering in SE21, SE27 and SE19, we plan around your venue and timings. Local streets include Berry Lane, Clive Road and Myton Road; a party at home on any of them works well with live paella. West Dulwich is on the A2199, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. If your venue is just outside West Dulwich, we also cover Sydenham Hill (1 mile east), West Norwood (1 mile south-west), Gipsy Hill (1 mile south), Dulwich (1 mile north) and Upper Norwood (1 mile south). Larger places within reach include London (5 miles north), City of Westminster (6 miles north-west), Marylebone (6 miles north-west), Kensington (7 miles north-west), St Pancras (7 miles north) and Shoreditch (6 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include St Christopher's Hospice (1.3 miles south-east) and Greenwich Castle (4.7 miles north-east). Not far away are Battersea Park Lake and Dulwich Upper Wood.
- Schools near West Dulwich include Kingsdale Foundation School (within half a mile south-west) and Dulwich Prep & Senior (less than half a mile north-west)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Wood House (0.5 miles east)
- Parks and local facilities nearby include Streatham Hill (1.8 miles west)
Why choose live paella in West Dulwich?
Unlike a barbecue, paella is ready at once, so nobody waits for the next batch. And nobody is stuck at the grill. Got a budget? Let us know, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Why West Dulwich hosts choose us
- Real theatre, not just catering
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
Take a look at Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
- 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