Portsmouth · England
Paella catering in PO3
We cook at events in every part of the PO3 postcode district, which takes in Baffins, Copnor and Milton. Everything is cooked live on the day.
Book live paella in PO3
Places in PO3
Catering in PO3
- Tapas & canapé catering
- Live paella catering
- Corporate paella catering
- Festival & event paella
- Wedding paella catering
- Paella party catering
- See all our catering
Tell us your date, numbers and venue and we’ll reply with a menu and a price: send us your details through our quote form.
Postcodes nearby
Across Portsmouth
Towns and villages in Portsmouth
Areas we cover
Paella catering across PO3
Almost any venue with a level, ventilated spot will do: gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and festival fields in and around PO3. Popular choices include vegetable paella, mixed paella and black rice, and we’re often booked for garden get-togethers and weddings and evening receptions.
When we arrive, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so we time everything to your schedule.
- You share your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan a menu that covers every diet.
- We arrive early to set up the burners and pans.
- The sofrito, stock and rice go in, and guests gather to watch.
- Service is straight from the pan, then we pack down.
What it costs in PO3
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Why choose Love Paella
- We cover PO3 and the whole of Portsmouth
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Served hot, straight from the pan
How to get a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Landmarks near Baffins
We cook for events around The Baffins pub, St Edmund's Catholic School and Miltoncross Academy and the streets around them. Other local landmarks include Church of St Cuthbert (under half a mile west), Langstone Junior Academy (under half a mile south) and Alexandra Park (1.7 miles north-west). The nearest railway station is Fratton station, about 1 mile south-west of the centre. A little further out are Southsea Castle (2.4 miles south-west) and Southsea (2.3 miles south-west). For a walk before or after the party, there’s Portsdown Hill and Milton Locks.
Paella catering in PO3: local guide
From Milton, Hilsea and Baffins to 0 villages and hamlets, events across PO3 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. Around 7 places in PO3 are close to the coast, so we frequently plan a sheltered cooking spot for the wind.
Baffins: Thinking of a picnic-style party in Alexandra Park? Public parks usually need permission from the council or landowner for cooking, so check first. If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like Langstone Junior Academy, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser. Around midsummer it stays light in Baffins until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:10pm, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 4:00pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
Dietary needs and planning tips
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Give us separate numbers for children
- Plan seating for most guests: paella is easiest eaten sitting down
- Flag any coeliac guests, not just gluten-free preferences
- Collect dietary needs with your RSVPs
The rice takes about 20 minutes once it goes in, so we start it at the right moment for your event. If plans change, tell us and we’ll adjust.
Finish with churros, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago, or serve your own cake.
Occasions we cook for in PO3
Paella is quick to serve and suits mixed diets, so it suits all kinds of occasions. It gives people something to gather round, too.
These are some of the occasions we cater around PO3:
- Retirement celebrations
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Summer garden parties
Planning the cooking area
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Level ground for the pans and burners
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Vans serve one order at a time. A paella pan serves many portions quickly, which suits weddings and parties where everyone eats together.
Questions to ask before booking
- When final numbers are due
- Travel and parking costs
- VAT, if it applies
- Payment terms and deposit
Should I cook it myself?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. 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 enjoy the party, let us cook.
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. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Common questions in PO3
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
Do we need to provide equipment?
We bring the pans, burners and ingredients. You just need a suitable spot and access.
What is live paella catering?
We set up a cooking area at your venue, cook the paella from scratch in large pans while your guests watch, and serve it straight from the pan.
What about pudding?
Yes. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices, or you can serve your own cake.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can, if you tell us in advance. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, we do. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in a separate pan.
Can you cater for children?
Children are welcome. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we’ll plan for them.
- 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