West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Apuldram, West Sussex
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Apuldram and across West Sussex.
- Anniversary parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Cocktail parties
Live tapas catering in Apuldram
What happens on the day
We get there well before serving, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Guests usually gather round to watch while it cooks. Evening receptions in Apuldram stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
Preparing for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Tell us when you want to eat
Ask for a quote
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Related guides
About our tapas catering in Apuldram
Sangria and bar staff can be added, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. We’re often asked to cater engagement parties and evening grazing, serving padrón peppers, Serrano ham and patatas bravas.
Near Apuldram, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. You will know exactly what’s included before you book: the menu, the staff and any extras.
- Area
- Apuldram (PO20, PO19)
- County
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning the cooking area
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Room for a tapas table
- Parking near the venue
- Venue approval for outside catering
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before you book.
On the menu in Apuldram
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
Why choose tapas catering in Apuldram?
They’re the classic starter before paella.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Sharing tapas starters
- Launches and office parties
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Evening grazing
Nearby historic houses include Goodwood House (4.4 miles north-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
What to look for in a quote
- A clear list of what’s included
- Payment terms and deposit
- How bad weather is handled
- What the caterer needs from your venue
Organising for someone else?
Throwing a party at home? Send us a photo of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Events in public spaces, like parks, normally need permission. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Places near Apuldram
What else we do in Apuldram
Drinks receptions around Apuldram
Apuldram is about 2 miles south-west of Chichester, in West Sussex. For tapas catering in Apuldram, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. Apuldram is one of 371 places in West Sussex where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Apuldram to Southampton (27 miles away).
For guests coming by train, Chichester station is about 1.2 miles away. After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of St Mary, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
This part of West Sussex takes in PO20 and PO19. Local streets include Dell Quay Road, Appledram Lane South and Donnington Park; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Close by, we cover events in Fishbourne (1 mile north), Bosham Hoe (2 miles west), Broadbridge (2 miles north-west), Bosham (2 miles west) and West Itchenor (3 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (6 miles south-east), Selsey (6 miles south), Littlehampton (12 miles east), Emsworth (6 miles west), Rustington (13 miles east) and Angmering (14 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Chichester Castle (1.8 miles north-east) and St Richard's Hospital (2.1 miles north-east). Not far away are Stoke Down and Nutborne Marshes.
- Schools near Apuldram include Bishop Luffa School (1.3 miles north) and The Prebendal School (1.4 miles north-east)
- Local pubs include The Black Horse Public House (0.7 miles south)
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Why us?
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
See How we price Or The cost guide.
Apuldram questions
Can you cater a reception after a service at The Parish Church of St Mary?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Do you come out to small places like Apuldram?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Will there be enough food?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Of course. Tapas can be booked without paella.
Can you cook in the rain?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We’ll make a plan B with you.
Do you take everything away?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, served while the paella cooks.
Do you offer halal options?
We can. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and it’s cooked separately.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Dishes our guests love
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside, frequently with ham or mushroom.
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Diets, allergies and planning
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. A few tips:
- Include staff for canapés
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Add sangria or cava
Table tapas are set down to share at the start of the meal.
Crockery and serving dishes.
- 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