West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Clayton, West Sussex
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella turns food into part of your event in Clayton.
- Drinks reception canapés
- Table tapas as a starter
- Launches and office parties
Tapas catering in Clayton
Tapas catering for your event in Clayton
We can add sangria and bar staff, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. We cook gambas al ajillo, Manchego with membrillo and Serrano ham, and typical bookings are for engagement celebrations and evening sharing boards.
Near Clayton, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
- Area
- Clayton (BN6)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Live paella or other catering?
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. Larger events normally cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why us?
- A clear, itemised quote
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
Towns and villages near Clayton
What else we do in Clayton
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and do not stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. 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 enjoy the party, let us cook.
Prices and what affects them
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, depending on:
- Your choice of paellas
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Whether you need crockery
- How long we are needed on site
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What we need to know
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Roughly how many adults and children
The quickest way to a quote is to use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Clayton, and we will put together a menu and price.
Space, weather and the venue
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- A spot for our serving station
- Parking near the venue
- Space on each table
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
Popular choices
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
Receptions and parties in Clayton
Clayton is about 3 miles south of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. For tapas catering in Clayton, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices. Clayton is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex we cover.
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Clayton, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. After a ceremony at a church such as St John the Baptist's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Clayton is within about 2 miles of the South Downs National Park, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Anywhere in BN6, we can bring tapas catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Your event could be at a home on Spring Lane, Underhill Lane and Brighton Road or the roads around them. Nearby, we also cater events in Keymer (1 mile north-east), Hassocks (1 mile north), Ditchling (2 miles north-east), Westmeston (2 miles east) and Hurst Wickham (2 miles north-west). Further out, we also cater in Crawley (14 miles north), Horsham (13 miles north-west), Worthing (13 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (6 miles north), Burgess Hill (3 miles north) and Shoreham-by-Sea (7 miles south-west).
Well-known places in the area include Clayton Castle (under half a mile south-west) and The Budding Foundation Museum of Gardening (0.9 miles north-west). Not far away are Wolstonbury Hill and Ladies Mile.
- Nearby schools include Downlands Community School (0.8 miles north)
- Pubs nearby include The Greyhound Public House (1 mile north-east)
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Patatas bravas
Always popular and normally vegetarian.
Questions from Clayton
We are having a ceremony at St John the Baptist's Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Can you cook at venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Can you do sangria?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you’re providing the drinks.
Can you provide dessert?
We can add a dessert. Let us know if you’d like one when you ask for a quote.
How much tapas do we need?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Tell us more and we will advise.
Do you clear up afterwards?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, on request. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables can be added to your booking.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Yes. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
Diets, allergies and planning
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Check diets in advance
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Add sangria or cava
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
Who books tapas catering in Clayton?
They work for any size of event.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We frequently cook for:
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Engagement celebrations
- Work receptions
- Evening sharing boards
Guests travelling by rail: Hassocks station is about 1 mile away.
Before booking anyone
- VAT, if it applies
- The deposit and payment dates
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- The deadline for final numbers
What happens on the day
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you can enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first while the paella cooks. At midsummer, it is light in Clayton until about 9:20pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Preparing for the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Name one person we can ask on the day
Getting a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
Read more
- 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