East Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Chiddingly, East Sussex
Planning tapas catering in Chiddingly? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Tapas starters
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Anniversary parties
Tapas catering for Chiddingly events
Tapas catering for your event in Chiddingly
Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. We cook patatas bravas, padrón peppers and croquetas, and we’re frequently booked for canapés with welcome drinks and engagement celebrations.
In a rural spot like Chiddingly, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, with each paella cooked in its own pan and clearly labelled.
- Area
- Chiddingly (BN8)
- County
- East Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Prices and what affects them
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- How many guests are eating
- Distance and access to the venue
- How many staff you need
Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We’ll send you a quote.
What to tell us
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- The courses you’d like
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Chiddingly? Tell us what you have in mind and we will reply with a menu and a clear price. To contact us, use our quote form.
Dietary needs and planning tips
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Add sangria or cava
Afterwards, we clear away.
Sangria and bar staff.
What we need at the venue
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Unloading access
- Venue approval for outside catering
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before booking.
On the menu in Chiddingly
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
What happens on the day
Expect a friendly, organised team. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up our cooking area, and cook and serve without fuss. Evening receptions in Chiddingly stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:15pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Let us know the timings for the day
Get a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
Chiddingly: venues and local tips
Chiddingly is about 4 miles north-west of Hailsham, in East Sussex. Whether your event is in the middle of Chiddingly or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cater in 289 places across East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Chiddingly to Brighton (about 15 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Horselunges Manor (2.7 miles south-east) and Michelham Priory (3.1 miles south). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Chiddingly is within about 8 miles of the South Downs National Park, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cater events across the BN8 postcode area and the streets around it. We also cook at events in Whitesmith (1 mile west), East Hoathly (2 miles north-west), Halland (3 miles north-west), Shortgate (3 miles west) and Blackboys (4 miles north). Further out, we also cater in Eastbourne (9 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (13 miles east), Seaford (10 miles south), Lewes (8 miles west), Hailsham (4 miles south-east) and Crowborough (10 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include Sussex Farm Museum (2.8 miles north-east) and Tickerage Castle (4.8 miles north-west). Not far away are Selwyns Wood.
- Nearby, you will find The Six Bells Public House (under half a mile north)
Nearby places to Chiddingly
Also in Chiddingly
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
What’s in the pans
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite.
Paella compared with other options
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas work brilliantly. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why us?
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Fast service from the pan
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
Take a look at Our pricing Or Our guide to catering costs.
FAQs for Chiddingly
Do you come out to small places like Chiddingly?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
Can you cater a reception after a service at The Parish Church?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is usually elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
How many different paellas?
Two or three is usual: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We’ll help you decide the split.
Do you come to Chiddingly?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Chiddingly and across East Sussex. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
Can you bring crockery?
We can. Tell us what your venue provides and we’ll include the rest in the quote.
Which areas do you serve?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Do you provide serving staff?
Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to carry them round.
Events we cater in Chiddingly
Tapas are sociable food.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In Chiddingly, people book us for events such as:
- Table tapas as a starter
- Launches and office parties
- Engagement celebrations
- Anniversary parties
Historic buildings near Chiddingly often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether VAT is included
- Allergen information for each dish
- Who provides the crockery
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- 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