West Sussex · England
Wedding Paella Catering in Highbrook
Paella catering for weddings, from canapés to the wedding breakfast and evening food in Highbrook: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests.
- Blessings and vow renewals
- Informal wedding breakfasts
- Farm and barn venues
Wedding paella catering near Highbrook
Getting married in Highbrook?
Highbrook is about 4 miles north-east of Haywards Heath, in West Sussex. We cook at weddings in gardens, halls and venues around Highbrook. Highbrook is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex where we cook. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 16 miles away.
For guests travelling by train, the nearest station is Balcombe station, about 3.4 miles west. Historic houses near Highbrook include Priest House (1.5 miles north) and Gravetye Manor (2.4 miles north). Historic houses and estates frequently have their own rules on caterers and cooking, so check early if that is your venue. With the High Weald National Landscape within about 5 miles, there are country venues, barns and gardens nearby. Check vehicle access and cooking rules with the venue.
We cook at weddings all over the RH17 postcode area and the streets around it. If your venue is just outside Highbrook, we also cover Ardingly (1 mile south-west), Little London (1 mile west), Sharpthorne (2 miles north), West Hoathly (2 miles north) and Horsted Keynes (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cater in Crawley (7 miles north-west), Horsham (11 miles west), Haywards Heath (4 miles south-west), Burgess Hill (7 miles south-west), East Grinstead (5 miles north) and Broadfield (7 miles north-west).
Nearby you will also find Princess Royal Hospital (4.6 miles south) and Parish Museum (2.8 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow.
- Pubs nearby include The Ardingly Inn (1 mile south-west)
How our wedding paella catering works in Highbrook
Sharing from big pans suits relaxed weddings, long tables and garden or barn venues. It feels generous and celebratory. We are often asked to cater civil partnerships and vow renewals and destination-style celebrations at home, serving table tapas, a paella wedding breakfast and evening paella.
A wedding in a small place like Highbrook often means a field, a barn or a family garden. That is exactly where live paella shines: no kitchen needed, just a level, sheltered spot. Tell us about lanes, gates and ground conditions. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
- Where
- Highbrook (RH17)
- County
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
What affects the price in Highbrook
Every event is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- The paellas you choose
- Distance and access to the venue
- How long we’re needed on site
- How many staff you need
The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Getting an accurate quote
To speed things up, tell us:
- Anything your venue supplies
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Expected numbers
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can send us your details through our quote form.
Space, weather and the venue
If a space is not suitable, we’ll tell you. What matters most:
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
- An open-sided catering gazebo next to the marquee
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before booking.
On the menu in Highbrook
- Paella wedding breakfast
- Canapé tapas
- Sangria & bar staff
- Dessert
- Table tapas
- Evening paella
Paella compared with other options
Buffets can mean food sitting for a while. Paella is served hot from the pan when guests are ready. 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.
Why Highbrook hosts choose us
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
Take a look at How we price Or What paella catering costs.
Perfect for your wedding in Highbrook
It gives guests something to do between the ceremony and the meal: gather round the cooking.
Here are some of the events we cook for:
- Sharing-style wedding meals
- Receptions after an intimate ceremony
- Barn and farm weddings
- Spanish-themed and destination-style weddings
Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow nearby makes a lovely backdrop for photos.
Comparing caterers
- A clear list of what’s included
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- VAT, if it applies
- How bad weather is handled
What happens on the day
Watching it cook is half the fun. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook while your guests chat. For a summer wedding in Highbrook, the sun sets at about 9:20pm in late June and about 7:05pm in late September, which means evening paella is typically served in daylight in June and July. Later in the year, plan lighting: in December it’s dark by about 3:55pm.
- We start with your date, venue, numbers and ideas.
- We plan a menu with you, course by course, and confirm a quote.
- We fit our timings around your speeches, photos and venue.
- On the day we set up, cook live and serve each course as planned.
- We pack down our cooking area, with staff staying as long as agreed.
Before we arrive
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Tell us when you want to eat
Ask for a quote
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, use our quote form.
Planning help
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
Highbrook: your questions answered
We are having a ceremony at All Saints Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is typically elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Is Highbrook close to London?
Roughly 31 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes, on request. Let us know your halal numbers, and it is cooked separately.
Can you liaise with the venue coordinator?
Yes, it makes life easier. Put us in touch and we’ll agree the details.
Can you bring crockery?
We can. Tell us what your venue provides and we will include the rest in the quote.
When do you arrive?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
Who clears up?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
Catering for every guest
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Here’s how:
- Ask about diets and allergies with your RSVPs
- Tell us about suppliers who need feeding
- Decide whether guests queue at the pans or are served at the tables
- Book early for summer Saturdays
If speeches or photos run over, tell us, and we’ll adapt the timing so it is still served fresh.
Finish with Spanish desserts or your cake.
For event organisers in Highbrook
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Throwing a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Places near Highbrook
Also in Highbrook
- 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