Q: How many people can you cater for?

A: We cater for between 50 (minimum) and 300 (maximum) people at any one time. The maximum number of Paella pans we will run at any single event is three, and our pans cater for either (up to 20), 30, 50, 80, or 100 servings each. Therefore our contact form asks you to select the denominations and of which dish. If we quote for a single dish for 100 people, and you then decide it's more likely to be 50 people, we are happy to amend our quote accordingly. Please remember that, like all businesses, we have basic running costs, therefore an inclusive quote for 50 people will NOT be half the price of an inclusive quote for 100 people; the more people, the lower the cost per head.  
The 10 person pan is best-suited to a vegetarian option as as secondary / third dish if you have just a few vegetarians at your event, although of course we can cater for more if required. Our minimum is 1 x 50 serving pan. We also work on a minimum order basis - meaning that depending upon how many people are at your event, there may be a maximum number of pans we can offer. Please see below to understand how many pans can be offered in relation to the number of guests at your event:

50 - 60 Guests - EITHER a maximum of 1 x 50 servings pan, plus 1 x (up to 20) servings pan (for a vegetarian option only) OR 2 x 30 serving pans (of any combination)
70 - 80 Guests - EITHER 1 x 50 servings pan plus 1 x 30 servings Pan (of any combination) , OR 1 x 80 servings pan plus 1 x (up to 20) servings pan (for a vegetarian option only)
90 - 100 Guests - EITHER 2 x 50 Servings Pans (of any combination) OR 3 x 30 Servings Pans (of any combination) or 1 x 100 Servings Pan plus 1 x 10 servings pan (for a vegetarian option only)
110 - 300 Guests ANY COMBINATION OF UP TO THREE PANS MAXIMUM.

​If you are unsure, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will explain further! We cannot offer 3 different dishes for less than a minimum of 90-100 guests unfortunately. 

 

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Q: Can you cater for special dietary requirements?

A: The simple answer to this is yes. We are very proud that ALL of our paella dishes are 100% Gluten and Lactose free, which is something to consider when comparing us to other paella companies and caterers. Of course, our vegetarian dish is exactly what it says, but is also suitable for vegans too. Some of our ingredients may contain traces of nuts, although we are currently not aware of any that do.
When you cater for lots of people at any one time, there will nearly always be someone with special dietary requirements. It's good to know that your catering company will make sure those people don't go without or get overlooked! Unfortunately we do not use HALAL meat in our meat dishes. 

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Q: I don't know which dishes to choose, what do you recommend?

A: We recommend all of them, of course! Seriously though, if you are finding it hard to choose, remember that seafood isn't everyone's first choice, in which case perhaps we would steer you towards either the Chicken, Chorizo and Prawn combo (jumbo prawns being the only seafood ingredient), the Meat Paella (Chicken and Chorizo) or the Jambalaya - a West Indian meat and rice dish which contains no seafood whatsoever but is a little spicier. Not wishing to put anyone off our seafood dish; of course we think it's amazing, and if you would like to stay traditional, or know that's the one for you, you will not be disappointed! It's worth remembering that there may be some vegetarians among your guests too.

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Q: Do you offer anything other than paella?
A: We offer fresh bread and Andalucian Salad as an accompaniment to our Paella, otherwise no; we prefer to specialise in our trade as Paella caterers. 

 

Q: Is this suitable for weddings?

A: We love catering for weddings! Don't think of us as 'the wedding breakfast' alternative; we are the 'evening buffet' alternative. If you are looking for new, affordable wedding food ideas then look no further. We will do EVERYTHING, and we are of course always quick, professional, reliable and COST EFFECTIVE (affordable)!
Think it will cost too much? Well, we challenge you to and get a quote for a traditional wedding buffet, priced per head. Then come to us and tell us what you would like. We will quote 'per head' for the same amount of people. You may soon change your mind! 

 

Q: How far do you travel?

We generally operate within a 75 mile radius of Bedford, MK40, UK, often covering London, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Sussex, Surrey, Kent, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, some areas of the Midlands and Norfolk.  We may be willing to consider travelling a slightly further distance if your event falls just outside of this. Ask us for a free quote today, or simply email us to ask if we would travel further afield!

 

Q: How long does it take to cook?

A: We estimate that it takes around 90 - 100 minutes from the moment we start cooking the first ingredient of the Paella to the dish being ready to serve. Our set-up time (if outside) is about the same, 90 minutes; so for us to serve food at, for example, 8pm, we would aim to arrive at around 5pm. Due to the nature of these dishes it is important that all dishes are served immediately when they are ready and cooked, they cannot be kept warm for long periods of time. They can, however, be eaten cold, and if there is any left over after your event, we are of course happy to let you keep it if you supply a container for us. 

 

Q: Can you cook the paellas both inside and outdoors?

A: Yes, we can. Naturally during the summer months in the UK, we all hope for fine weather but of course it can't be guaranteed. If we are outside, we usually set up a shelter which measures 3m x 3m, however we ask for an overall space of a little more than that size in total (approx 4m x 4m). 
We are happy to work inside, providing there is adequate space / ventilation and we can cover our safety requirements. If in doubt, please ask us first. Our Paella burners have safety Thermocouples fitted so if the flame should go out, the gas will cut off. 

 

Q: Do you carry food safety and hygiene certificates?

A: We carry the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene certificate as required by law, and always practice safe cooking / preparation techniques and methods. We carry a standard risk assessment, and will check for / highlight any necessary risks of your particular site before set-up. We also carry a Food Safety Management Pack (as issued by the FSA) and full Public Liability Insurance. Please remember that we cook on large gas burners when you are considering where to put us! We are also NCASS members.  

 

Q: Do you supply plates / serviettes / cutlery etc?

A: We supply high quality biodegradable, disposable cutlery and plates (or dishes if preferred) as well as serviettes. These are included in any price we quote. If you would prefer crockery / metal cutlery, we can cross-hire this in for an additional fee, however at present we don't provide staff to serve / wait tables or wash up.  

 

Q: Do we (the client) need to supply Big Pans People with anything?

A: We always ask for access to clean, running water, and wherever possible access to a standard 13a mains socket so we can use our lighting and not have to cook in the dark for outside, evening events! If this is not possible we do have battery lighting though this is not our preferred choice.Otherwise, we are fairly well self-sufficient!