Greater London · England
Paella catering in IG1
Planning an event in IG1? We cover Ilford, Loxford and Cranbrook and the rest of the district, with paella cooked from scratch.
Paella catering in IG1
Places in IG1
What we do in IG1
- Live paella catering
- Tapas & canapé catering
- Paella party catering
- Festival & event paella
- Corporate paella catering
- Wedding paella catering
- All catering
Send us your event details and postcode and we’ll reply with a menu and a price: use our quote form.
How paella catering works in IG1
Almost any venue with a level, ventilated spot will do: a garden, marquee, barn, courtyard or field in and around IG1. Typical bookings include christenings and family gatherings and community events and fairs, with vegetable paella, chicken and chorizo paella and paella Valenciana.
Expect a friendly, organised team. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up the pans and burners, and get on with cooking and serving.
- We start with a few details about your event.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a clear quote.
- We agree timings, access and the cooking spot.
- On the day, we set up and cook in front of your guests.
- It is served straight from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
What it costs in IG1
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Why hosts in IG1 choose us
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Catering across Greater London, including IG1
Get a quote
Still deciding on the menu? That’s fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll make suggestions. Start when you are ready: use our quote form.
Local landmarks in Ilford
You’ll find us cooking near Great Spoon of Ilford pub, The Ursuline Academy Ilford and South Park, among other places. You’ll also find Winston Way Academy (under half a mile east) and St Alban's Church (within half a mile south). There is a railway station in Ilford itself: Ilford station, handy for guests travelling by train. A little further out are East Ham (2.1 miles south-west) and Barking Community Hospital (1.8 miles south-east). For a walk before or after the party, there’s Hollow Pond and Ripple Nature Reserve.
Live paella across IG1: what to know
There are 3 towns and 0 villages and hamlets in IG1, so whether your event is in Ilford, Loxford and Manor Park or a quiet village, the approach is the same: level ground, ventilation and agreed timings.
Ilford: For guests coming by train, Ilford has its own station, Ilford station. Thinking of a picnic-style party in South Park? Public parks typically need permission from the council or landowner for cooking, so check first. Evenings in Ilford stay light until about 9:20pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:05pm; once it’s dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
Planning the cooking area
Every venue is different, so we will ask about yours when you contact us. Generally, we look for:
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. 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.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and do not stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Is live paella right for you?
With a barbecue, food comes in waves. Paella is ready all at once, so everyone eats together.
Questions to ask before you book
- How late numbers can change
- How bad weather is handled
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- When payment is due
Planners, venues and businesses
Throwing a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Events in public spaces, like parks, generally need permission. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Dietary needs and planning tips
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To make it work smoothly:
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Have seats for most of your guests
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
- Tell us what else is being served
The rice takes about 20 minutes once it goes in, so we time it carefully. If plans change, tell us and we’ll adjust.
Bread, salad and lemon wedges make the meal go further.
Common questions in IG1
Which paella is most popular?
Two or three is usual: chicken or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. See the sample menu.
Is live paella good for a large crowd?
It is ideal. Big pans feed a lot of people, and service from the pan is quick.
Can you cook in the rain?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We will talk it through before the day.
Do you do starters?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
Yes, if you need them. Tell us what your venue provides and we’ll include the rest in the quote.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.
How many different paellas?
Two or three is usual: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We’ll help you decide the split.
- 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