Southampton · England
Paella catering in SO16
Hosting a party in SO16? We cover Maybush, Coxford and Lordswood and the rest of the district, with paella cooked from scratch.
Live paella across SO16
Where we cater in SO16
- Maybush
- Coxford
- Lordswood
- Rownhams
- Swaythling
- Bassett Green
- Bassett
- Nursling
- Hillyfields
- Chilworth
- Upton
- Chilworth Old Village
- Southampton
- Shirley
- Regents Park
- Freemantle
- Highfield
- Millbrook
- Mansbridge
- Redbridge
- Ashfield
Catering in SO16
- Festival & event paella
- Wedding paella catering
- Live paella catering
- Corporate paella catering
- Tapas & canapé catering
- Paella party catering
- All catering
Send us your event details and postcode and we’ll reply with a menu and a price: send us your details through our quote form.
Paella catering across SO16
We cook every paella from scratch on the day, beginning with a sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, followed by stock, saffron and rice. On the menu are chicken and chorizo paella, mixed paella and paella Valenciana, and we are often booked for retirement and leaving parties and anniversaries and engagement parties.
Watching it cook is half the fun. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring.
- We start with a few details about your event.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a clear quote.
- Timings, access and the cooking area are agreed in advance.
- We cook live on the day while guests watch.
- We serve from the pan, then pack down.
What it costs in SO16
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Why hosts in SO16 choose us
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- We cover SO16 and the whole of Southampton
- Fast service from the pan
How to get a price
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Landmarks near Maybush
You’ll find us cooking near St Peter's Church, St James' Park and Millbrook Community School. Nearby too are Bridge Tavern (within half a mile north-east), Newlands Primary School (within half a mile south-west) and Regents Park Community College (0.7 miles south-east). Maybush’s nearest station is Redbridge station, about 1.2 miles south-west. Nearby you’ll also find Eling Experience (1.8 miles south-west) and Western Community Hospital (within half a mile south). The countryside around Maybush includes Testwood Lakes.
Live paella across SO16: what to know
Across SO16, we cook in 3 towns and 5 villages and hamlets, so whether your event is in Shirley, Regents Park and Maybush or a quiet village, the approach is the same: a level, ventilated spot and a clear plan. Around 21 places in SO16 are close to the coast, so we often plan a sheltered cooking spot for the wind, and seafood paella is popular.
Maybush: Thinking of a picnic-style party in St James' Park? Public parks generally need permission from the council or landowner for cooking, so check first. For guests coming by train, Redbridge station is about 1.2 miles away. Around midsummer it stays light in Maybush until about 9:25pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:10pm, so summer evening events are typically served in daylight. For winter events, when it is dark by about 4:00pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To get it right:
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Flag any coeliac guests, not just gluten-free preferences
- Tell us what else is being served
- Pick a mix of paellas to cover every diet
You shouldn’t have to worry about the food on the day. We set up, cook and serve, and stay in touch with your venue about timings.
Crockery, cutlery and waiting staff are available if your venue doesn’t provide them.
Dishes our guests love
Seafood paella
A rich seafood stock with prawns, mussels and squid, finished with lemon wedges. It’s normally the most photographed pan.
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, and is normally served with alioli. It’s a striking addition to a seafood menu.
How we price paella catering
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- How many staff you need
- Travel, parking and access
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Timings and hours
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Details that help
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- The date and rough timings
To get a price, use our quote form. Tell us about your event in SO16, and we’ll put together a menu and price.
Events we cater in SO16
Outdoor events and live paella go together: it’s cooked in the open, served hot and eaten together.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Big birthdays
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Office lunches and staff parties
FAQs for SO16
What happens if it rains?
Rain does not stop us, as long as there’s a ventilated cover. We’ll make a plan B with you.
Is the paella gluten-free?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
Do you cook inside?
Usually we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, because we use gas burners. We will check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Is paella enough as a main?
It’s a full meal on its own. Many hosts add tapas first or dessert after.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three covers most guests. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we’ll suggest the mix.
How much is live paella catering?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Will there be enough food?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Accurate numbers help.
- 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