Live Catering Events & Entertainment

Welcome to Around the Pan, your premier destination for the best paella catering in Melbourne. As a rice dish originating from Valencia, Spain, paella has a rich history rooted in humble beginnings. Originally considered peasant food, paella was crafted using whatever seasonal ingredients were available, satisfying the appetites of hardworking farmers and laborers. Traditional paella often featured rabbit, beans, chicken, and occasionally duck, cooked in olive oil and chicken broth. Infused with saffron, the rice obtains its iconic yellow hue, while turmeric and calendula serve as worthy substitutes. At Around the Pan, we honor these time-honored traditions, infusing them with our own unique touch. We use premium Australian produce and seasonal vegetables, ensuring each paella boasts the coveted layer of crispy rice, known as el socarrat. We pay homage to the traditional flavors while infusing new life into the pan. Join us on a culinary journey where rice reigns supreme, and the vibrant flavors of paella come alive like never before. Experience the perfect blend of tradition and innovation with Around the Pan, the ultimate choice for paella catering in Melbourne.

Catering and Entertainment

Experience the ultimate live cooking event for any occasion with Around the Pan. Immerse yourself in the whole paella experience with our "Gold Standard" paella, designed to captivate your taste buds and leave a lasting impression. If you're working within a budget, our "Market" paella offers a fantastic alternative without compromising on flavor. All our meals are freshly prepared onsite, ensuring a delectable dining experience for your guests. While our signature dish is the mouthwatering seafood paella, we are more than happy to customize it to meet your specific preferences. With a minimum order of 25 people and a maximum capacity of 500 people, we can accommodate events of all sizes. Take your event to the next level with optional salsa classes or live Spanish guitar performances that will energize your guests and get them up and moving. From birthday parties to award nights, social gatherings to spring racing carnivals, engagement parties to weddings, and even unforgettable hen parties, we cater to your every desire. Let us make your event truly extraordinary with Around the Pan, where the possibilities are endless.

Catering

We provide on-site cooking using fresh, high-quality ingredients for your special occasion. Fully insured and equipped with a food handling certificate, we ensure a seamless and safe culinary experience at your location. Let us bring the flavors to you and make your event unforgettable.

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Dance Classes

Add some spice to your event with a salsa dance class led by our experienced instructor. Energize your guests with the vibrant rhythms and moves of salsa. This optional service is available at an additional cost to create a memorable and lively atmosphere.

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Spanish Guitar

Enhance the ambiance of your event with the enchanting melodies of live Spanish instrumental guitar. Our talented guitarist will captivate your guests with soulful tunes. This optional service is available at an additional cost, adding a touch of elegance and charm to your special occasion.

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DJ

Our versatile music selection is tailored to suit any occasion, ensuring the perfect soundtrack for your event. As a bonus, we offer Latin music at no additional cost, adding a vibrant and lively atmosphere to your celebration. Let us set the right tone for your special occasion with our diverse music repertoire.

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MC

Make your event truly exceptional with our master of ceremonies services. Let us take charge and be the charismatic host of the night, ensuring smooth organization and lively engagement. Discover how we can bring life to your special occasion. Please inquire about our hosting options, available at an additional cost, to elevate your event to the next level.

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Live Music - Entertainment

Exciting news! We are thrilled to announce that we are expanding our talented performer team. Stay tuned for the upcoming additions to our lineup, as we prepare to bring you even more captivating entertainment for your events. Get ready to be amazed by the new talents joining our ranks.

Gold Standard or Market Paella Options Available

Main Menu

Gold Standard Paella

Introducing our Gold Standard Paellas – the epitome of excellence! Our Gold Standard selection features the finest, premium ingredients to ensure a truly memorable dining experience for all your guests. However, we understand that budget considerations may arise, which is why we also offer a fantastic alternative – our "Market" paella option priced at just $24 per person. Ideal for larger groups, this option allows you to save money without compromising on taste or quality. The Market paella is specifically designed for groups of 60 people or more and is listed below on our menu. If the Gold Standard falls outside your budget, please feel free to inquire about our Market option, as it may be the perfect fit for you.

Seafood Paella - Get A Quote Below

Indulge in the delectable flavors of our Seafood Paella. This mouthwatering dish features a delightful combination of Spanish rice, tender calamari, succulent rockling, juicy king prawns, plump mussels, savory chorizo, seasonal vegetables, and a tantalizing blend of spices. We are more than happy to customize the ingredients based on our clients' preferences. Immerse yourself in the exquisite taste of the sea with our Seafood Paella, a true culinary delight that will leave your taste buds craving for more.

Chicken Paella - Get A Quote Below

Savor the rich and savory flavors of our Chicken and Chorizo Paella. This enticing dish showcases a harmonious blend of Spanish rice, tender chicken thighs, succulent small chicken drumsticks, flavorful chorizo, sweet corn, seasonal vegetables, and a medley of aromatic spices. Our team is happy to accommodate any ingredient variations based on our clients' preferences. Immerse yourself in the enticing aromas and delectable taste of our Chicken and Chorizo Paella, a true crowd-pleaser that will transport your palate to the heart of Spain.

Combination Chicken & Chorizo with a Prawn

Experience the best of both worlds with our Combination Chicken & Chorizo base paella, enhanced with the delightful addition of prawns. This crowd-pleasing option caters to all paella enthusiasts, allowing those with shellfish allergies to exclude prawns while still indulging in the flavorful dish. For seafood lovers, the prawns are separately cooked in a dedicated pan, ensuring everyone's satisfaction. To further elevate this combination, mussels can also be included. The ingredients for this irresistible dish include tender chicken fillets/thighs, aromatic rice, succulent drummets, savory chorizo, plump prawns, seasonal vegetables, and a harmonious blend of spices. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that tantalizes every taste bud.

Vegetarian Paella-Get A Quote Below

Immerse yourself in the delightful flavors of our Vegetarian Paella, a true gem for plant-based food enthusiasts. Crafted with care, this exquisite dish showcases the earthy richness of portobello mushrooms, combined harmoniously with Spanish rice, a colorful array of seasonal vegetables, and a tantalizing blend of aromatic spices. The star of this culinary masterpiece is undoubtedly the perfectly roasted vegetables, elevating this paella to a gold standard status. With each bite, savor the incredible symphony of flavors that dance on your palate, as this Vegetarian Paella takes you on a culinary journey like no other. Experience the art of vegetarian cuisine at its finest.

The Spanish Fly - from $19.00pp

Introducing "The Spanish Fly" - a breakfast delight starting at just $19.00 per person. Immerse yourself in the flavors of Spain with this traditional breakfast dish featuring a delectable combination of potato, capsicum, and egg. For an extra burst of flavor, add optional chorizo. Please note that there is a minimum charge for 50 people when selecting this dish, ensuring that it is perfect for larger gatherings and events. Awaken your taste buds and start your day on a delicious note with "The Spanish Fly," a breakfast experience that captures the essence of Spanish cuisine.

Loaded Churros

Indulge in the irresistible delight of Loaded Churros, a beloved classic Spanish dessert that is sure to captivate your taste buds. These delectable tube-shaped pastries are generously sprinkled with your choice of either icing sugar or cinnamon, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and warmth. To enhance the experience, each serving comes with a luscious chocolate dipping sauce that adds an extra layer of decadence. Priced at just $10 per person, each serving includes three pieces of heavenly goodness. Treat yourself and your guests to the irresistible charm of Loaded Churros, a dessert that will leave you craving for more.

AU$10

"an alternative to the gold standard"

Market Paella $24pp

This paella is specifically crafted for larger groups or individuals who prefer an alternative to the gold standard option. It is a delectable combination dish called "mixta," packed with flavors suitable for any occasion. If the client desires a greater emphasis on either chicken or seafood, we are more than happy to accommodate their preferences. Our mixta dish comprises Spanish rice, chicken, a medley of seafood, chorizo, beans, capsicum, and a delightful blend of spices. The minimum group size for this option is 60 people, with a maximum capacity of 500. For a comprehensive explanation of the distinctions between different types of paella, please refer to the FAQ section below.

Any Dish

Whats the difference between a "Gold Standard" dish and your "Market" Paella?

The "Gold Standard" is what we have built our business on. An over abundance of produce to make sure everyone that has a bowl not only enjoys the true characteristics of a Spanish crunchy rice but get enough meat/protein in their dish to be satisfied with the meal.

The Market paella has all the characteristics of a Spanish paella but without all the bells and whistles (expensive produce). The Market paella pays homage to the rice which is always the star of the show.

The Market paella is basically the same paella you would get from any paella catering service on the market., so why go somewhere else? We have something for everyone. (min 60 people per order)

This allows us to cater more for the client and their needs.

What is the process in booking your services?

It's easy! Simply scroll to the Contact - "Get A Quote" page, fill out the form and we can pencil in the date if it is available. Identify the dish and amount of people to cook for - it's easy as that. Alternatively if you would like to speak in person, call Adamo on 0423 070 817.

What's provided in your services on the day of the cook up?

We cook everything fresh along with providing bowls, cutlery, napkins and lemon wedges. We need to arrive 2 hours prior to your elected serve time, to cook the food.

How far do you travel?

We travel all over Victoria.

Are you insured?

Yes, fully insured with public liability.

What is the mimimum amount of people you can cook for?

Great question! Our minimum is a serving for 25 people for one pan. Just tell us the dish and leave the rest to us!

How much do you charge?

We charge per person. You can ask this question when you fill out the form on the Contact - "Get a Quote" page. It varies depending on the dish and the amount of people. You can also look at the "Pricing Table" as well

What about Gluten?

No need to worry, all our Paella dishes are gluten free!

What if I am Vegetarian or Vegan?

We have a fabulous Vegetarian Paella that will surely impress. Full of flavor with roasted Vegetables to satisfy you at any occasion. No need to worry its all dairy free!

What if we want more than one type of dish?

Not a problem. In that scenario what we offer is the minimum 25 people per pan, twice. That way you can have a couple of options for your guests but please note that it does bring your minimum catering total up to 50 people. You can find this on the "Pricing" page.