Greater London · England
Paella catering in CR8
Live paella catering across CR8, covering Purley, Kenley and Woodcote. For weddings, parties and corporate events, with every diet catered for.
Book live paella in CR8
Where we cater in CR8
- Purley
- Kenley
- Woodcote
- Riddlesdown
- Peaks Hill
- Woodcote Green
- Croydon
- Coulsdon
- South Croydon
- Roundshaw
- Russell Hill
- Sanderstead
- Old Coulsdon
- Little Woodcote
What we do in CR8
- Tapas & canapé catering
- Festival & event paella
- Corporate paella catering
- Live paella catering
- Paella party catering
- Wedding paella catering
- All catering
Send us your event details and postcode for a quote: send us your details through our quote form.
Our paella catering in CR8
A single cooking set-up can feed a crowd, there is very little waste, and the food is served hot. It’s why live paella suits so many kinds of event. Typical bookings include wedding breakfasts and evening food and engagement and anniversary parties, serving black rice, chicken and chorizo paella and seafood paella.
Service is quick: we serve straight from the pan, so even a long queue moves. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away.
- Start with the date, the place and the numbers.
- Expect a menu idea and a clear, itemised price.
- A week or so before, we confirm the plan.
- On the day we cook live, timed around your event.
- We serve, then leave our area tidy.
What it costs in CR8
There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Why book with us
- A clear, itemised quote
- Drinks service on request
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
Ask for a quote
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote.
Around Purley
You’ll find us cooking near Laleham Lea School, The Jolly Farmers pub and Thomas More Catholic School, among other places. You will also find Christ Church CofE Primary School (Purley) (0.5 miles north-east), Dollypers Hill (1.8 miles south) and St Swithun's (within half a mile south-west). There is a railway station in Purley itself: Purley station, handy for guests travelling by train. A little further out are St George's Walk (2.7 miles north) and County Borough of Croydon (2.6 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Duppas Hill and Foxley Wood.
Paella catering in CR8: local guide
From Croydon, Coulsdon and Purley to 2 villages and hamlets, events across CR8 range from town-centre venues to gardens and fields, and live paella works in all of them. Town events mean planning parking; village events mean planning access.
Purley: Thinking of a picnic-style party in Dollypers Hill? Public parks generally need permission from the council or landowner for cooking, so check first. For guests coming by train, Purley station is in Purley itself. Around midsummer it stays light in Purley until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 3:55pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
Space, weather and the venue
No two venues are the same, so we’ll ask about yours when you get in touch. Generally, we look for:
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
Should I cook it myself?
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 be with your guests, we’ll do the cooking.
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Catering for every guest
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. Our advice:
- Mention any other courses or food
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Collect dietary needs with your RSVPs
- Plan a meat, a seafood and a vegetable or vegan pan
The rice takes about 20 minutes once it goes in, so we time it carefully. If plans change, tell us and we will adjust.
Need plates or staff? We can provide them.
For planners, venues and organisers
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Hosting a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we will tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Dishes our guests love
Seafood paella
Seafood paella starts with a good fish and shellfish stock. Shellfish goes in towards the end so it stays tender.
Mixed paella
Chicken and seafood together, for guests who want a bit of everything.
CR8 questions
What equipment do you bring?
We bring all the cooking equipment. Let us know what your venue has, like tables or crockery.
Do you do starters?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas first, paella to follow.
Does paella work for big events?
Very much so. We size pans and serving points to your guest list.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Can you cook indoors?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Courtyards, doorways and terraces often work.
Can you bring crockery?
Yes, if you need them. Tell us what your venue provides and we will include the rest in the quote.
How long does the paella take?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
- 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