Paella Catering Melbourne

Live Spanish paella cooked fresh at your event by Ignacio, our Madrid-born chef. Corporate events, weddings, birthday parties and private functions across Melbourne. From $39 per person.

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★★★★★ 5.0 · 29 Google reviews
Live on-site cooking
15 to 150 guests
From $39 per person
Full setup & cleanup
All Melbourne suburbs

Melbourne's live paella catering specialists

Tapas Madriz brings authentic Spanish paella to events across Melbourne. Every paella is cooked from scratch on-site — saffron-infused rice, fresh seafood or chicken, the socarrat developing in the pan in front of your guests. It's a dish and a show.

Ignacio, our Madrid-born chef, has been cooking live paella at Melbourne events since 2022. He brings every ingredient, every piece of equipment, and handles everything from setup to cleanup. Your only job is to enjoy the occasion.

Whether you're planning a corporate lunch for 40, a birthday party for 30, or a wedding for 100 — we have a package that fits.

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Ignacio cooking live paella at a Melbourne event for Tapas Madriz
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Why live paella catering works for any event

A spectacle, not just a meal

The giant paella pan, the sizzle of sofrito, the saffron aroma — guests gather around before a single plate is served. The cooking is part of the event.

Naturally dietary-friendly

All paellas are naturally gluten free and dairy free. Vegetarian, vegan and seafood options available. We accommodate all requirements at no extra cost.

Zero work for you

We bring every ingredient, every piece of equipment. Setup before your guests arrive, full cleanup after they leave. Nothing for you to organise.

We cook anywhere

Office rooftops, home backyards, function venues, parks, private estates — we set up wherever there is a flat space and a power point across Melbourne.

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Paella catering packages

Paella Only

$39pp
Min. 15 guests
  • 1 choice of paella for the group
  • Live on-site cooking
  • Full setup & cleanup
  • Eco-friendly plates & cutlery

El Clásico

$65pp
Min. 15 guests
  • 2 tapas of your choice
  • 1 choice of paella for the group
  • Pan Tumaca or homemade Aioli
  • Full setup, service & cleanup
Most popular

La Gastronómica

$75pp
Min. 15 guests
  • 3 tapas of your choice
  • 1 choice of paella for the group
  • Pan Tumaca or homemade Aioli
  • Full setup, service & cleanup

El Chef's Premium

$95pp
Min. 15 guests
  • 4 tapas incl. premium selections
  • 2 choices of paella for the group
  • Chef's seasonal dessert
  • Full setup, service & cleanup

Corporate minimum $2,500 spend. Private events from 15 guests. All prices include GST. Full pricing guide →

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What's included in every booking

Your own personal chef (Ignacio or a trained Tapas Madriz chef)
All ingredients sourced and prepared — nothing for you to organise
Live on-site cooking from scratch at your venue
Full setup and complete cleanup after the event
Eco-friendly plates, napkins, and cutlery
Dietary requirements accommodated (GF, DF, vegan, vegetarian)
Giant authentic paella pan — a centrepiece in itself
Menu tailored to your event and guest count
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Paella catering for every Melbourne event

Corporate events

Team lunches, EOFY celebrations, client entertainment, product launches, Christmas parties. Live paella makes corporate catering something people actually talk about.

Corporate paella catering →

Weddings

A live paella station creates a warm, convivial atmosphere at your reception. Guests gather, the chef performs, and the food is spectacular. Spanish-style catering for your Melbourne wedding.

Wedding paella catering →

Birthday parties

From intimate 15-person gatherings to large backyard parties of 80+, live paella is a crowd-pleaser. Bring a Spanish fiesta to your next Melbourne birthday celebration.

Birthday & private party catering →

Private chef experience

A more intimate setting — Ignacio comes to your home and cooks a personalised Spanish menu just for your group. Perfect for dinner parties and special occasions.

Private chef Melbourne →
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What Melbourne clients say

★★★★★
"Tapas Madriz catered our company's end-of-year event and absolutely nailed it. The paella was incredible — cooked live right in front of everyone. The whole team was blown away. Ignacio was professional, warm, and the food was the best paella I've had outside of Spain."
— Sarah M., Corporate event, Melbourne CBD
★★★★★
"We hired Tapas Madriz for a 50th birthday party in our backyard. From the moment Ignacio arrived to the moment he left, everything was seamless. The paella and tapas were extraordinary. Every single guest asked for his details."
— James T., Private birthday party, South Yarra
★★★★★
"Outstanding paella catering for our wedding. We wanted something a bit different and the live cooking experience was perfect — it gave our guests something to gather around and talk about. The food was absolutely delicious."
— Emma & Daniel, Wedding, Mornington Peninsula
Read all 29 reviews →
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Paella catering across Melbourne

We provide live paella catering across all Melbourne suburbs and surrounding areas.

Melbourne CBD South Yarra Fitzroy St Kilda Richmond Toorak Collingwood Docklands Bayside Parkdale Brighton Hawthorn Prahran Port Melbourne Brunswick Carlton Mornington Peninsula Yarra Valley

Not on the list? Contact us — we travel further for the right event.

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Paella catering Melbourne — common questions

How much does paella catering cost in Melbourne?

Our paella catering prices start at $39 per person for the Paella Only option. Full packages including tapas range from $65 to $95 per person. All options include live on-site cooking, full setup and cleanup. See our full paella catering pricing guide for a detailed breakdown.

Is the paella cooked live at the event?

Yes — always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on-site. We never pre-cook and reheat. Ignacio builds the sofrito in the pan, adds the rice, and develops the socarrat at the base while your guests watch. The live cooking is half the experience.

What paella varieties do you offer?

We offer seafood paella (king prawns, mussels, calamari), chicken and chorizo paella, mixed paella, and a vegetarian/vegan option. Your group chooses one variety (or two on the premium package). Full details on our menu page.

How many people do you cater for?

We cater for groups of 15 to 150 people across Melbourne. Private events start from 15 guests. Corporate bookings have a $2,500 minimum spend. For very large events of 150+, contact us for a custom quote.

Do you accommodate dietary requirements?

Yes. All our paellas are naturally gluten free and dairy free. Vegetarian and vegan options are available. We accommodate all dietary requirements at no extra charge — just let us know when booking.

Where in Melbourne do you cater?

We cover all of Melbourne — CBD, inner suburbs, bayside, and surrounding areas. We also travel to the Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley for the right event. Check our locations page or contact us to confirm your area.

How far in advance do I need to book?

We recommend booking at least 2–3 weeks ahead for most events. End-of-year events (November–December) book out fast — 6–8 weeks ahead is safer. A 30% deposit secures your date.

What space do you need to set up?

A flat outdoor or covered area roughly 3x3 metres and access to a standard power point. Office rooftops, backyards, function rooms, parks and private venues all work. We confirm suitability when you enquire.

Ready to book paella catering in Melbourne?

Tell us about your event and we'll come back within 24 hours with availability and a tailored proposal. No obligation.

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