West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Chilgrove, West Sussex
Planning tapas catering in Chilgrove? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Tapas and paella menus
- Evening grazing
- Office parties and launches
Tapas catering near Chilgrove
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. A caterer handles all of that.
Tapas catering in Chilgrove, cooked live
Tapas pair naturally with a live paella, served while the paella cooks, but they work on their own too. Popular choices include tortilla española, Serrano ham and croquetas, and typical bookings are for launches and office parties and sharing boards for evening guests.
For a country party near Chilgrove, tapas and sangria set the mood. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, each in a separate pan and clearly labelled.
- Where
- Chilgrove (PO18)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
What affects the price in Chilgrove
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- The number of people
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- The length of service
There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
What we need to know
To check availability and price, we need:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Which courses you have in mind
- The date and rough timings
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, use our quote form.
Planning the cooking area
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Parking near the venue
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before booking.
Popular choices
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
Chilgrove: venues and local tips
Chilgrove is about 6 miles north of Chichester, in West Sussex. For an event in Chilgrove, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Chilgrove. We cook in 371 places in West Sussex. Our nearest city page is Guildford, about 25 miles away.
Historic houses near Chilgrove include West Dean House (1.6 miles south-east) and Uppark (4.4 miles north-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. The South Downs National Park is within about 5 miles of Chilgrove, ideal for an outdoor reception.
We cater events across PO18. For events just outside Chilgrove, we cover East Marden (2 miles west), Didling (3 miles north), Elsted (4 miles north), Compton (4 miles west) and Ingrams Green (4 miles north). We also cook in nearby towns such as Bognor Regis (10 miles south-east), Chichester (6 miles south), Selsey (13 miles south), Littlehampton (14 miles south-east), Emsworth (7 miles south-west) and Rustington (15 miles south-east).
Nearby you will also find Chichester Centre (5.2 miles south) and Museum of Gardening (1.7 miles south-east). Not far away are Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve and Bow Hill.
Paella compared with other options
Nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. Got a budget? Let us know, and we will suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
What you get with us
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Events in Chilgrove and across West Sussex
- Fast service from the pan
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
Catering for every guest
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Check diets in advance
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Bar staff and sangria.
FAQs for Chilgrove
Is Chilgrove too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
Is Chilgrove close to London?
About 51 miles from central London.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
Is halal food available?
Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in its own pan.
How much tapas do we need?
That depends on their role in the meal. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest quantities.
How much is live paella catering?
We quote for each event, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three covers most guests. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Yes, tapas work on their own.
Places near Chilgrove
More for events in Chilgrove
For planners, venues and organisers
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
Throwing a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Step by step
Your timings come first. If things run behind, we adjust the cooking so it is served at its best. At midsummer, it is light in Chilgrove until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We pack down when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
Getting a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
Related guides
Why choose tapas catering in Chilgrove?
Big or small, tapas work.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Work receptions
- Birthday drinks
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Drinks reception canapés
Historic buildings near Chilgrove often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
Comparing caterers
- The venue requirements
- A clear list of what’s included
- Who provides the crockery
- How late numbers can change
- 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