West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Cocking, West Sussex
Planning tapas catering in Cocking? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Tapas before paella
- Engagement drinks
Tapas catering for Cocking events
Paella compared with other options
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. The cost per head normally falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why Cocking hosts choose us
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Catering across West Sussex, including Cocking
Tapas catering for your event in Cocking
We finish hot tapas on site, so they arrive hot. We cook Serrano ham, padrón peppers and Manchego with membrillo, and we are regularly asked to cater tapas before paella and canapés with welcome drinks.
Near Cocking, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose.
- Location
- Cocking (GU29)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
What we need at the venue
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We look for:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Permission from the venue
- An area to prepare hot tapas
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
Menu ideas
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
Occasions we cook for in Cocking
They’re ideal when a full meal doesn’t fit.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Typical bookings include:
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Tapas and paella menus
- Engagement celebrations
- Receptions and drinks parties
After a ceremony at a church such as St Catherine of Siena Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Before you book anyone
- The deposit and payment dates
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- How bad weather is handled
- What the caterer needs from your venue
Your questions about tapas catering in Cocking
Is Cocking 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.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Catherine of Siena Church?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Is the paella cooked on site?
It is. We arrive with everything we need and cook on the day, then serve straight from the pan.
How soon do we need to book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Can you bring crockery?
We can. Let us know what you have, and we will quote for the rest.
Do you come to Cocking?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Cocking and across West Sussex. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
What do you need at the venue?
Less than you might think: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a picture.
Do you supply canapé staff?
We can provide staff. Canapés need staff to serve.
Cocking: venues and local tips
Cocking is about 8 miles north of Chichester, in West Sussex. Tell us where your event in Cocking will be, and we will plan the journey and set-up. Cocking is one of 371 places in West Sussex we cover. We cook right across the region, from Cocking to Guildford (22 miles away).
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Cocking, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Historic houses near Cocking include Cowdray House (2.6 miles north) and West Dean House (3.3 miles south). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. The South Downs National Park is within about 3 miles of Cocking, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Anywhere in GU29, we can bring tapas catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Local streets include Bell Lane, The Croft and Cherry Close; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. We also cook at events in Bepton (1 mile north-west), Heyshott Green (1 mile north-east), Cocking Causeway (1 mile north), Heyshott (1 mile east) and Bepton Common (2 miles north). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (12 miles south), Chichester (8 miles south), Selsey (15 miles south), Littlehampton (14 miles south-east), Emsworth (11 miles south-west) and Rustington (14 miles south-east).
Nearby you will also find Midhurst Community Hospital (3 miles north) and Midhurst Museum (2.5 miles north). Open spaces near Cocking include Levin Down and Iping and Stedham Commons.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
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 for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
How we price tapas catering
We’ll give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- Waiting and bar staff
- How long we are needed on site
- The number of people
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
What to tell us
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but these help:
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Which courses you have in mind
- Diets and allergies you know about
- A picture of where we’d cook
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, use our quote form.
What happens on the day
Serving is fast: we serve straight from the pan, so even a long queue moves. When service is finished, we pack down. At midsummer, it’s light in Cocking until about 9:20pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
Before we arrive
- Give us a contact for the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
How to get a price
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Related guides
Nearby places to Cocking
Other catering in Cocking
Dietary needs and planning tips
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Here’s how:
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Add sangria or cava
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away.
Serving boards and crockery.
Working with your venue
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so guests are fed quickly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we’ll explain how it works. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
- 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