Greater London · England
Paella catering in SE21
Planning an event in SE21? We cover West Dulwich, West Norwood and Upper Norwood and the rest of the district, with paella cooked from scratch.
Live paella across SE21
Where we cater in SE21
What we do in SE21
- Live paella catering
- Tapas & canapé catering
- Corporate paella catering
- Paella party catering
- Festival & event paella
- Wedding paella catering
- Every service
Send us your event details and postcode and we’ll reply with a menu and a price: fill in our quote form.
About paella catering in SE21
Paella has always been food for a crowd: cooked in the open in a big, shallow pan and shared straight from it. That is what we bring to events in SE21. Typical bookings include fairs, fêtes and festivals and office lunches and staff parties, with black rice, seafood paella and paella Valenciana.
Your timings come first. If things run behind, we adjust the cooking so it’s served at its best.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and any dietary needs.
- We put together a menu and a clear quote.
- On the day we arrive in good time, set up and start the stock.
- The paella cooks in front of your guests, with tapas first if you’ve chosen them.
- It’s served straight from the pan, and we pack down afterwards.
What you’ll pay
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
What you get with us
- A quote that spells everything out
- Events in SE21 and across Greater London
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
Get a quote
Send us the date, your venue or SE21 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
What’s near West Dulwich
We cook for events around The Wood House, Dulwich Prep & Senior and Kingsdale Foundation School. Other local landmarks include Long Meadow (0.5 miles south), Dulwich Wood Primary School (under half a mile south) and Church of St Stephen (less than half a mile east). There’s a railway station in West Dulwich itself: Sydenham Hill station. Nearby you will also find St Christopher's Hospice (1.3 miles south-east) and Greenwich Castle (4.7 miles north-east). For a walk before or after the party, there’s Battersea Park Lake and Dulwich Upper Wood.
- Parks and local facilities nearby include Streatham Hill (1.8 miles west)
Live paella across SE21: what to know
Across SE21, we cook in 3 towns and 0 villages and hamlets, so whether your event is in West Norwood, Upper Norwood and Norwood New Town or a quiet village, the approach is the same: a level, ventilated spot and a clear plan.
West Dulwich: School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Dulwich Wood Primary School, can book us as a food stall. For guests coming by train, West Dulwich has its own station, Sydenham Hill station. Planning an evening event in West Dulwich? Sunset is around 8:50pm in late May, 9:20pm at midsummer and 7:05pm in late September; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
How we price paella catering
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Your choice of paellas
- Travel, parking and access
- Whether you need crockery
- Timings and hours
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
What we need to know
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but these help:
- The date and time of the event
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Which courses you have in mind
- A photo of the space, if you can
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will come back with a clear quote.
For planners, venues and organisers
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Dishes our guests love
Seafood paella
Prawns, mussels and squid in a rich fish stock, finished with lemon wedges. It’s the pan people photograph.
Paella Valenciana
Paella Valenciana is the original: chicken, beans and saffron, not seafood. It is a favourite with guests who don’t eat fish.
Planning the cooking area
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
DIY paella versus live catering
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Your questions about paella catering in SE21
Which paella is most popular?
It depends on your guests. A chicken or mixed paella is typically the most popular, alongside seafood and vegetable or vegan pans.
What space do you need to cook?
Not a lot: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. If in doubt, send a photo.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
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.
When should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Peak dates go quickly, so it pays to ask early.
How do you work out quantities?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Tell us what else is being served. See how much paella per person.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
- 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