East Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Brightling
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Brightling and the surrounding area.
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Sharing tapas starters
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Tapas catering for Brightling events
FAQs for Brightling
Can you cook at venues in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll follow the site rules.
What’s the nearest station to Brightling for guests?
The closest is Robertsbridge station, roughly 3.3 miles away.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, while the rice is cooking.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue so they’re served at their best.
How much does tapas catering cost in Brightling?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers and we’ll reply with a price.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
Will there be enough food?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you are providing the drinks.
Tapas catering in Brightling, made fresh on the day
We can add sangria and bar staff, for a complete drinks and tapas package. Popular choices include Manchego with membrillo, albóndigas and Serrano ham, and typical bookings are for sharing tapas starters and office parties and launches.
Near Brightling, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it is hot and generous, and a queue moves quickly.
- Area
- Brightling (TN32)
- County
- East Sussex
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Catering for every guest
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Add a live paella main.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Places near Brightling
Other catering in Brightling
Step by step
Your timings come first. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we adjust the cooking so it’s served at its best. At midsummer, it’s light in Brightling until about 9:15pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:00pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
Getting a price
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
About the dishes
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic.
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Tapas for events in Brightling
Brightling is about 9 miles north of Bexhill-on-Sea, in East Sussex. For tapas catering in Brightling, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. We cater in all 289 towns and villages across East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Brightling to Brighton (about 25 miles away).
Historic buildings near Brightling often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. Nearby historic houses include Bateman's (1.9 miles north-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. Brightling is within about 3 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cater events across the TN32 postcode area. That could mean an event in a garden on The Street and Rectory Hill. Close by, we cover events in Hollingrove (1 mile east), Twelve Oaks (1 mile south), Oxley's Green (1 mile north-east), Netherfield (3 miles south-east) and Penhurst (3 miles south). Larger places within reach include Eastbourne (13 miles south), Hastings (10 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (9 miles south), Hailsham (9 miles south-west), Crowborough (12 miles north-west) and St Leonards (10 miles south-east).
A little further out are Old Castle (2.3 miles south-west) and Ticehurst House Hospital (5.9 miles north).
Who books tapas catering in Brightling?
They’re easy to eat with a drink in hand.
Whatever the occasion, live paella can be the centrepiece. We regularly cater:
- Sharing tapas starters
- Birthday drinks
- Work receptions
- Sharing boards for evening guests
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like The Parish Church of St Thomas A Becket.
Before booking anyone
- How late numbers can change
- Travel and parking costs
- Who provides the crockery
- What happens if it rains
What tapas catering costs
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- How long we’re needed on site
- Parking and unloading
- The number of people
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so your choice of paellas affects the total. Tell us your budget and we will suggest a menu.
Details that help
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- Where the event is
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- What the venue already provides
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning the cooking area
If a space isn’t suitable, we will tell you. The main points are:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Access to unload near the serving area
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
What we offer
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
Why choose live paella in Brightling?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before you book.
Why choose Love Paella in Brightling
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
See Our prices page And The cost guide.
- 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