East Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Bishopstone, East Sussex
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Bishopstone and East Sussex, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Work receptions
- Sharing tapas starters
- Sharing boards for evening guests
Book tapas catering in Bishopstone
Tapas catering in Bishopstone, made fresh on the day
We will suggest a selection to suit your timings and guests, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. We’re frequently asked to cater sharing tapas starters and evening grazing, serving Manchego with membrillo, padrón peppers and Serrano ham.
Near Bishopstone, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, never made in advance and reheated, and served the moment it’s ready.
- Area
- Bishopstone (BN25)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Dietary options
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning for every diet
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Add sangria or cava
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Check diets in advance
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
Each dish is labelled.
Add a live paella main.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
Bishopstone questions
Can you cook near the sea around Bishopstone?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
What’s the nearest station to Bishopstone for guests?
Bishopstone (Sussex) station, about 0.8 miles south of the centre.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three covers most guests. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
Yes, on request. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables are available.
Can you cater for children?
Of course. A simple chicken paella is usually popular with children. Tell us how many are coming.
How much paella per person?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a sensible margin. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Of course. Tapas and canapés can be booked on their own.
A closer look at the menu
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
How we price tapas catering
Your quote will be clear and itemised. The main things that affect it are:
- The number of people
- Waiting and bar staff
- Whether you need crockery
- Parking and unloading
Larger events typically cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Details that help
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- The date and time of the event
- Expected numbers
- Anything your venue supplies
The quickest way to a quote is to use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will put together a menu and price.
Occasions we cook for in Bishopstone
They’re easy to eat with a drink in hand.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Anniversary parties
- Drinks reception canapés
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Tapas starters
Nearby historic houses include Alfriston Clergy House (3.2 miles east) and Firle Place (3.7 miles north). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
What your quote should include
- Allergen information for each dish
- A clear list of what’s included
- Payment terms and deposit
- Staff numbers and hours
How it works
Watching it cook is half the fun. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook while your guests chat. A summer drinks reception in Bishopstone has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
How to prepare
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
Getting a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you’re ready, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Places near Bishopstone
More for events in Bishopstone
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Generic canapés all look the same. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Why choose Love Paella in Bishopstone
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Drinks service on request
See How we price And The cost guide.
Receptions and parties in Bishopstone
Bishopstone is about 1 mile north-west of Seaford, in East Sussex. From the centre of Bishopstone to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cook in 289 places in East Sussex. We cook right across the region, from Bishopstone to Brighton (10 miles away).
Historic buildings near Bishopstone often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. Parks such as Castle Hill have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. Bishopstone is within about 4 miles of the South Downs National Park, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 2 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Anywhere in BN25, we can cook for your guests. Local streets include Bishopstone Road and Manor Yard; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Nearby, we also cater events in Norton (1 mile north), Tide Mills (1 mile south-west), Seaford (1 mile south-east), Denton (1 mile north-west) and Newhaven (2 miles west). Larger places within reach include Eastbourne (9 miles east), Lewes (7 miles north-west), Hailsham (9 miles north-east), Uckfield (12 miles north), Peacehaven (4 miles west) and Telscombe (4 miles west).
Well-known places in the area include Arlington Castle (3.9 miles north-east) and Chailey Heritage Marine Hospital (1 mile south-west). Not far away are Firle Beacon.
- Local schools include St Peter's School (1.4 miles south-east) and UTC@Harbourside (1.5 miles west)
What we need at the venue
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- Unloading access
- Space on each table
- An area to prepare hot tapas
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
On the menu in Bishopstone
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- 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