West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Boxgrove
Paella for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Boxgrove.
- Engagement celebrations
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Work receptions
Book tapas catering in Boxgrove
How our tapas catering works in Boxgrove
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. We are frequently asked to cater tapas with a paella main course and drinks parties and receptions, serving patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo and tortilla española.
In a rural spot like Boxgrove, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. You will know exactly what’s included before you book: the menu, the staff and any extras.
- Where
- Boxgrove (PO18)
- County
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
DIY paella versus live catering
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it is in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
For planners, venues and organisers
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll explain how it works. We are happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Hosting a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we will tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Towns and villages near Boxgrove
What else we do in Boxgrove
What happens on the day
Your timings come first. If things run behind, we hold the paella at the right stage so it’s still served fresh. At midsummer, it is light in Boxgrove until about 9:20pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
How to prepare
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
Get a quote
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Related guides
Why choose tapas catering in Boxgrove?
Tapas are sociable food, because everyone shares.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In Boxgrove, people book us for occasions like:
- Engagement parties
- Tapas starters
- Tapas before paella
- Sharing boards for evening guests
After a ceremony at a church such as The Priory Church of St Mary and St Blaize, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
What your quote should include
- When payment is due
- Whether VAT is included
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- The wet-weather plan
Planning the cooking area
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- Access to unload near the serving area
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Space on each table
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
On the menu in Boxgrove
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
Boxgrove: venues and local tips
Boxgrove is about 3 miles north-east of Chichester, in West Sussex. We bring tapas catering to gardens, halls and venues around Boxgrove and the surrounding area. We cook in all 371 towns and villages across West Sussex. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 25 miles away.
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Chichester station, about 3.5 miles south-west. If you are looking at a historic venue around Boxgrove, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. The coast is within about 6 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Tapas catering in PO18 is planned around your venue and your guests. Local streets include The Street, Priory Close and Kirkby Close; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Other places close to Boxgrove for tapas catering include Halnaker (1 mile north), Tangmere (1 mile south), Strettington (1 mile west), Waterbeach (1 mile north-west) and Westerton (1 mile west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Worthing (14 miles east), Bognor Regis (5 miles south), Chichester (3 miles south-west), Selsey (9 miles south), Littlehampton (9 miles east) and Emsworth (10 miles west).
Nearby you will also find Chichester Centre (2.7 miles west) and Tote Copse Castle (1.9 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Levin Down.
- Local schools include Ormiston Six Villages Academy (2.5 miles south-east)
- Local pubs include The Winterton Arms Public House (0.9 miles east)
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
What you get with us
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
About the dishes
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Your questions about tapas catering in Boxgrove
Which station should guests use for Boxgrove?
Chichester station, about 3.5 miles south-west of the centre.
Is Boxgrove too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Do you provide serving staff?
Staff make canapés work, which we can supply.
When do you arrive?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance so the paella is ready when you want it.
Can you serve drinks?
Sangria can be added, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
How do you work out quantities?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Give us the details and we will advise.
Do you cater in Boxgrove?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, including Boxgrove. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
When should we book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so get in touch early.
Catering for every guest
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Collect dietary needs
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Make sure dishes are labelled
Tapas go out to the tables at the start of the meal.
Serving boards and crockery.
- 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