West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Earnley, West Sussex
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Earnley: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Launches and office parties
Book tapas catering in Earnley
Organising for someone else?
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
Organising a club, school or community event in Earnley? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
Tapas catering in Earnley, made fresh on the day
Tapas are sharing food, made for conversation. Canapés go round while guests mingle, or table tapas go out to share. For anniversary parties and canapés with welcome drinks, we can cook padrón peppers, Manchego with membrillo and albóndigas.
For a country party near Earnley, tapas and sangria set the mood. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
- Area
- Earnley (PO20)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- 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:
- Permission from the venue
- A spot for our serving station
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
Questions from Earnley
What about events near the coast?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Is Earnley too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Are the tapas fresh?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue so they’re served at their best.
How much tapas do we need?
It depends on whether they’re a starter, canapés or the whole meal. We’ll suggest quantities for your event.
Do you provide drinks?
We can make sangria, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
Can you bring crockery?
Yes, if you need them. Tell us what your venue provides and we will include the rest in the quote.
When do you arrive?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
Earnley: venues and local tips
Earnley is about 3 miles north-west of Selsey, in West Sussex. Wherever your event is in the PO20 area, we can cook for your guests. We cook in all 371 towns and villages in West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 26 miles away.
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Earnley Church. With the sea within about 4 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
For tapas catering in PO20, we plan around your venue and timings. We can cater an event on streets such as Earnley Manor Close, Bookers Lane and Drove Lane. Neighbouring places where we cater events include East Wittering (1 mile west), Almodington (1 mile north-east), Somerley (1 mile north), Shipton Green (2 miles north) and Birdham (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Bognor Regis (7 miles east), Chichester (6 miles north-east), Selsey (3 miles south-east), Littlehampton (14 miles east), Emsworth (7 miles north-west) and Rustington (15 miles east).
A little further out are Selsey Lifeboat Museum (3.9 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Pilsey Island.
What’s in the pans
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Why us?
- Events in Earnley and across West Sussex
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
Take a look at How we price Or What paella catering costs.
Towns and villages near Earnley
More for events in Earnley
Prices and what affects them
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- Waiting and bar staff
- Whether you need crockery
- Distance and access to the venue
- The number of people
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Details that help
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The courses you’d like
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will send a clear, itemised quote.
How the day works
Watching it cook is half the fun. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook while your guests chat. A summer drinks reception in Earnley has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
Ask for a quote
Planning tapas catering in Earnley? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. Just fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Planning for every diet
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
Afterwards, we clear away.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
DIY paella versus live catering
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
- 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