West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Coates, West Sussex
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in Coates. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, then served hot from the pan.
- Table tapas as a starter
- Evening grazing
- Welcome-drink canapés
Tapas catering in Coates
Questions from Coates
How far is Coates from London?
Roughly 43 miles from the centre of London.
Can you cook at venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will work to whatever the site needs.
When should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it’s short notice, it’s worth asking.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Usually we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, because we use gas burners. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Is the paella cooked on site?
It is. We arrive with everything we need and cook it there and then, serving it hot from the pan.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain doesn’t stop us, as long as there is a ventilated cover. We will make a plan B with you.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, on request. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and we’ll cook a separate pan.
Tapas catering in Coates, made fresh on the day
A good spread mixes hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. Popular choices include Manchego with membrillo, gambas al ajillo and patatas bravas, and we’re regularly asked to cater cocktail parties and birthday and anniversary parties.
In a rural spot like Coates, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. The paella is served straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
- Where
- Coates (RH20)
- County
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
What else we do in Coates
Is live paella right for your event?
Tapas are flexible, so they fit most plans. Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. We itemise everything in your quote.
Why book with us
- A clear, itemised quote
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Catering across West Sussex, including Coates
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
See Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Collect dietary needs
- Canapés need staff to serve
Table tapas are set down to share.
Waiting staff for canapés.
DIY paella versus live catering
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Where we can cook in Coates
Before the day, we will agree where we cook. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Permission from the venue
- Unloading access
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
What we offer
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
The menu, dish by dish
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns with a little chilli.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce.
Receptions and parties in Coates
Coates is about 10 miles north of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. Tell us where your event in Coates will be, and we will plan access and set-up. Coates is one of 371 places in West Sussex where we cook. Our nearest city page is Guildford, about 20 miles away.
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Pulborough station, about 2.7 miles east. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Agatha. Coates is within about 4 miles of the South Downs National Park, ideal for an outdoor reception.
This part of West Sussex takes in RH20, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Lower Horncroft (1 mile east), Fittleworth (1 mile north-east), Bedham (1 mile north-east), Watersfield (2 miles south-east) and Coldwaltham (2 miles south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Horsham (14 miles north-east), Worthing (12 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (12 miles south-west), Chichester (12 miles south-west), Littlehampton (10 miles south) and Lancing (14 miles south-east).
A little further out are Coates Castle (0.5 miles south-west) and Coultershaw Heritage Site (2 miles north-west). Open spaces near Coates include Bignor Hill and Amberley Wild Brooks.
- Local pubs include The Swan Hotel (0.7 miles north-east)
For event organisers in Coates
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
What happens on the day
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, and we agree where that is before the day. At midsummer, it’s light in Coates until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Before we arrive
- Give us a contact for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Tell us when you want to eat
How to get a price
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, use our quote form.
Planning help
Who books tapas catering in Coates?
Tapas get people talking, because everyone shares.
Here are some of the events we cook for in Coates and West Sussex:
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Engagement parties
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Tapas before paella
Historic houses near Coates include Bignor Roman Villa (2.1 miles south) and Petworth House (2.9 miles north-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
What your quote should include
- Payment terms and deposit
- VAT, if it applies
- How bad weather is handled
- The venue requirements
- 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