West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Atherington, West Sussex
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Atherington. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Engagement parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Work receptions
Tapas catering near Atherington
How our tapas catering works in Atherington
We’ll suggest a selection to suit your timings and guests, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. For tapas starters and tapas before paella, we will put together a menu of gambas al ajillo, padrón peppers and Manchego with membrillo and more.
In a rural spot like Atherington, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: the menu, the staff and any extras, with no surprises on the day.
- Location
- Atherington (BN17)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Dietary needs and planning tips
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To get it right:
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
Canapés circulate with drinks as guests arrive.
Waiting staff for canapés.
What tapas catering costs
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Your choice of paellas
- Travel, parking and access
- How many staff you need
- How many guests are eating
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
What to tell us
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Where the event is
- The date and time of the event
- Anything your venue supplies
It is easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will come back with a clear quote.
The process
A typical event goes like this: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, your guests watch the rice cook, and it’s served hot from the pan at the agreed time. Evening receptions in Atherington 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.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
How to prepare
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Name one person we can ask on the day
Ask for a quote
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Atherington? Send us the details and we will reply with a menu and a clear price. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Atherington: venues and local tips
Atherington is about 2 miles west of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. Give us the address of your event in Atherington, and we will plan the journey and set-up before the day. We cater in all 371 towns and villages in West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Atherington to Brighton (20 miles away).
After a ceremony at a church such as Bailiffscourt Chapel, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Historic buildings near Atherington often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. The South Downs National Park is within about 8 miles of Atherington, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 2 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
This part of West Sussex takes in BN17, so your event can be anywhere in it. Nearby, we also cater events in Climping (1 mile north), Horsemere Green (1 mile north-west), Ford (2 miles north), Wick (2 miles north-east) and Littlehampton (2 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Worthing (8 miles east), Bognor Regis (5 miles west), Chichester (9 miles west), Selsey (10 miles south-west), Shoreham-by-Sea (14 miles east) and Lancing (11 miles east).
A little further out are Lyminster Siege Castle (3.8 miles north-east) and Rustington Museum (3.3 miles east). Not far away are WWT Arundel.
- Local schools include The Littlehampton Academy (2.2 miles north-east)
- Nearby, you will find The Black Horse Public House (under half a mile south-east)
A closer look at the menu
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Also near Atherington
What else we do in Atherington
What we need at the venue
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Permission from the venue
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
What we offer
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
Who books tapas catering in Atherington?
They’re easy to eat with a drink in hand.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In Atherington, people book us for events such as:
- Cocktail parties
- Evening sharing boards
- Work receptions
- Tapas before paella
For guests coming by train, Littlehampton station is about 1.5 miles away.
Comparing caterers
- Space, access and power needs
- A clear list of what’s included
- The deadline for final numbers
- How long the team stays
Why choose live paella in Atherington?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Why us?
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
Take a look at How we price Or Our guide to catering costs.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we’ll do the cooking.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. A caterer handles all of that.
Common questions in Atherington
Do you come out to small places like Atherington?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
How far is Atherington from London?
Roughly 53 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
How many paellas should we have?
Usually two or three, so every guest has a choice. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
How much tapas do we need?
We plan quantities around your timings and courses. Tell us more for a suggestion.
Do you provide serving staff?
Canapés work best with staff serving, which we can supply.
Do you do starters?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, while the rice is cooking.
Do you cover Atherington?
We do. Atherington is one of the places we cover. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
What space do you need to cook?
Less than you might think: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. Send us a photo if you’re not sure.
- 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