Live paella catering, cooked fresh at your event · London and the South East

Greater London · England

Paella catering in N7

We cater across all of the N7 postcode district, including Holloway, Nag's Head and Lower Holloway. Everything is cooked live on the day.

Paella catering in N7

Paella catering in N7: what to expect

One cooking area feeds a lot of people, there is very little waste, and the food is served hot. That’s why it works for so many events. Popular choices include black rice, mixed paella and vegan paella, and typical bookings are for birthday celebrations and leaving dos and retirements.

Your timings come first. If things run behind, we hold the paella at the right stage so it is still served fresh.

  1. We start with a few details about your event.
  2. We suggest paellas and extras and send a clear quote.
  3. Timings, access and the cooking area are agreed in advance.
  4. We cook live on the day while guests watch.
  5. We serve from the pan, then pack down.

Prices in N7

There is 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 choose Love Paella

  • Drinks service on request
  • Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
  • Every diet catered for, pan by pan
  • Starters and desserts to complete the menu

How to get a price

Send us the date, your venue or N7 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. Just use our quote form.

What’s near Holloway

Locally, our events take us close to The Coronet pub, Vaughan Williams Memorial Library and St Joseph and St Padarn's Church, among other places. You will also find Grafton Primary School (less than half a mile north-west), Whittington Park (0.6 miles north-west), Beacon High (0.6 miles south-west) and Musical Theatre Academy (0.8 miles south-east). The nearest railway station is Drayton Park station, roughly 0.6 miles south-east of the centre. A little further out are Metropolitan Borough of Islington (1.2 miles south-east) and Arsenal Football Club Museum (within half a mile east). Not far away are St. James's Park Lake and Dartmouth Park Hill.

Planning live paella in N7

Across N7, we cook in 3 towns and 0 villages and hamlets, so whether your event is in Islington, Barnsbury and Holloway or a quiet village, the approach is the same: level ground, ventilation and agreed timings.

Holloway: For a christening or wedding at a church such as St Joseph and St Padarn's Church, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. For guests coming by train, Drayton Park station is about 0.6 miles away. Evenings in Holloway stay light until about 9:20pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:05pm; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.

Dietary needs and planning tips

Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:

  • Make sure most guests can sit to eat
  • Tell us what else is being served
  • Tell us about coeliac guests specifically
  • Plan a meat, a seafood and a vegetable or vegan pan

Let the paella rest for a few minutes before serving, which is when we generally call guests over.

Tapas or canapés make a good start while the paella cooks.

Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?

Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.

Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.

What paella catering costs

The price comes down to a few factors:

  • Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
  • Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
  • Distance and access to the venue
  • How many guests are eating

The cost per head usually falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.

What we need to know

To check availability and price, we need:

  • What the venue already provides
  • Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
  • A picture of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
  • The date and time of the event

Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll come back with a clear quote.

Why live paella works

Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets, so it suits all kinds of occasions. It gives people something to gather round, too.

We are booked for all kinds of occasions in N7 and nearby. Some of the most common are:

  • Anniversaries and engagement parties
  • Christenings and family gatherings
  • Garden get-togethers
  • Office lunches and staff parties

Before you choose a spot

If a space is not suitable, we will tell you, and suggest an alternative. The main points are:

  • Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
  • Somewhere close to park and unload
  • Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot

Your questions about paella catering in N7

Is it really cooked live?

Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.

What does paella catering cost?

The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.

What is live paella catering?

We arrive with pans, burners and ingredients, cook while everyone watches, and serve at the time you want.

What if the weather’s bad?

We cook under cover, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We plan for rain with you in advance.

What space do you need to cook?

Less than you might think: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a picture.

Can you feed a lot of people?

Very much so. We size pans and serving points to your guest list.

Who clears up?

We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.

  • 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

See the menu · How it works · Get a quote