West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Coolham
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella turns food into part of your event in Coolham.
- Evening sharing boards
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Work receptions
Tapas catering for Coolham events
Tapas catering in Coolham, cooked live
Tapas are sharing food, made for conversation. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. Popular choices include Serrano ham, tortilla española and patatas bravas, and we are frequently booked for engagement parties and tapas with a paella main course.
In a rural spot like Coolham, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
- Location
- Coolham (RH13)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
What we need at the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- A spot for our serving station
- Access to unload near the serving area
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Popular choices
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
DIY paella versus live catering
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Perfect for your event in Coolham
Tapas are sociable food.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Tapas starters
- Birthday drinks
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St Mary's Mission Church.
Questions to ask before booking
- When final numbers are due
- How long the team stays
- Whether VAT is included
- What happens if it rains
Your questions about tapas catering in Coolham
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Mary's Mission 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 Coolham close to London?
About 37 miles from central London, and well within our area.
How much does tapas catering cost in Coolham?
We quote for each event, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
How many tapas per person?
We plan quantities around your timings and courses. Give us the details for a suggestion.
Can you supply plates?
If you need them, yes. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables can be added to your booking.
Do you cook inside?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Courtyards, doorways and terraces often work.
What space do you need to cook?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
What happens if it rains?
We cook under cover, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We’ll agree a wet-weather plan with you.
For event organisers in Coolham
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so guests are fed quickly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Dishes our guests love
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns with a little chilli.
Coolham: venues and local tips
Coolham is about 6 miles south-west of Horsham, in West Sussex. Whether your event is in the middle of Coolham or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Coolham is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex we cover. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 16 miles away.
If you are looking at a historic venue around Coolham, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Billingshurst station, about 2.4 miles north-west.
We cover events in every part of the RH13 postcode area. Your event could be at a home on Coolham Road and West Chiltington Lane. For events just outside Coolham, we cover Goose Green (3 miles south), Gay Street (3 miles south-west), Adversane (3 miles west), North Heath (3 miles west) and West Chiltington (3 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Crawley (12 miles north-east), Horsham (6 miles north-east), Worthing (12 miles south), Haywards Heath (13 miles east), Burgess Hill (12 miles east) and Littlehampton (14 miles south-west).
Well-known places in the area include Christs Hospital School Museum (3.9 miles north-east). Open spaces near Coolham include Knepp Wildland.
- Local pubs include The Selsey Arms Public House (within half a mile south)
What else we do in Coolham
Step by step
The paella is cooked in huge, shallow pans over gas burners. We need a level, ventilated spot, and we agree where that is before the day. Evening receptions in Coolham stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Getting ready for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
Ask for a quote
To get a price, use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will put together a menu and price.
Planning help
Planning for every diet
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. A few tips:
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Label seafood clearly
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
Tapas go out to the tables.
Waiting staff for canapés.
What affects the price in Coolham
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Timings and hours
- The paellas you choose
- The number of people
- Parking and unloading
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
What we need to know
These details help us quote quickly:
- The address or venue name
- Expected numbers
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Which courses you have in mind
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
- 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