West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Donnington, West Sussex
Looking for tapas catering in Donnington? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Tapas starters
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Anniversary parties
Tapas catering for Donnington events
How our tapas catering works in Donnington
The best spreads mix hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. For tapas and paella menus and sharing boards for evening guests, we will put together a menu of albóndigas, patatas bravas and croquetas for your guests.
For a country party near Donnington, tapas and sangria set the mood. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
- Area
- Donnington (PO20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Donnington: your questions answered
What about events near the coast?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Can you cater a reception after a service at The Parish Church of St George?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is normally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
How much paella per person?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, in front of your guests.
Do you cover Donnington?
Yes. We cover London and the South East, including Donnington and the rest of West Sussex. To check your date, use our quote form.
Who clears up?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
Do you have vegetarian tapas?
Plenty are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers. Each dish is labelled.
Is the paella gluten-free?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
Occasions we cook for in Donnington
They’re easy to eat with a drink in hand.
Whatever the occasion, live paella can be the centrepiece. We often cook for:
- Tapas and paella menus
- Launches and office parties
- Engagement celebrations
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Historic buildings near Donnington frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue.
Comparing caterers
- How bad weather is handled
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- The deadline for final numbers
Where we can cook in Donnington
We will be honest if a space won’t work. What matters most:
- Room for a tapas table
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Permission from the venue
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
What we offer
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
Planning a tapas spread in Donnington
Donnington is about 2 miles south of Chichester, in West Sussex. We cater events at homes, gardens and venues in Donnington and the surrounding area. We cover all 371 towns and villages in West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 27 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of St George, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. For guests coming by train, Chichester station is about 1.6 miles away. The coast is within about 6 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
We cook at events all over PO20 and the streets around it. You will find Donnington on the B2201, so it is easy for us to reach with the van and pans. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Hunston (1 mile east), North Mundham (1 mile east), Runcton (2 miles east), Chichester (2 miles north) and Portfield (2 miles north-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Bognor Regis (5 miles east), Selsey (5 miles south), Littlehampton (11 miles east), Emsworth (7 miles north-west), Rustington (12 miles east) and Angmering (14 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Chichester Cathedral Treasury (1.8 miles north) and St Richard's Hospital (2.5 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Nutborne Marshes.
- Pubs nearby include The Blacksmith's Arms Public House (within half a mile south-west)
Organising for someone else?
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
If you are planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
How it works
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you can enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first as the rice is cooking. A summer drinks reception in Donnington has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. 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
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
Getting a price
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Planning help
What tapas catering costs
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- The length of service
- How many courses
- The paellas you choose
- Distance and access to the venue
Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so your choice of paellas affects the total. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
What to tell us
To check availability and price, we need:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Diets and allergies you know about
- A picture of the space, if you can
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
Not sure what you need yet? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll make suggestions. To start, use our quote form.
Places near Donnington
What else we do in Donnington
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
The menu, dish by dish
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside, frequently with ham or mushroom.
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Catering for every guest
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To get it right:
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Label seafood clearly
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Canapés need staff to serve
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
- 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