West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in East Ashling
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in East Ashling and across West Sussex.
- Tapas and paella menus
- Evening grazing
- Anniversary parties
Planning an event in East Ashling?
About our tapas catering in East Ashling
Sangria and bar staff can be added, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. We are often asked to cater tapas and paella menus and anniversary parties, serving croquetas, gambas al ajillo and patatas bravas.
In a rural spot like East Ashling, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, not reheated, and served the moment it is ready.
- Location
- East Ashling (PO18)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Should I cook it myself?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
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.
East Ashling questions
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Andrew?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
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’ll work to whatever the site needs.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities around your timings and courses. Give us the details for a suggestion.
Are the tapas fresh?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can, if you tell us in advance. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
Is halal food available?
We can. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and it’s cooked separately.
How long does the paella take?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
Do you clear up afterwards?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Planning a tapas spread in East Ashling
East Ashling is about 3 miles north-west of Chichester, in West Sussex. Tell us where your event in East Ashling will be, and we will plan the journey and set-up before the day. We cook in all 371 towns and villages across West Sussex. We cook right across the region, from East Ashling to Southampton (about 25 miles away).
Historic buildings near East Ashling frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Andrew, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. The South Downs National Park is within about 8 miles of East Ashling, ideal for an outdoor reception.
We cater events across PO18 and the streets around it. For events just outside East Ashling, we cover West Ashling (1 mile west), West Stoke (1 mile north-east), Funtington (1 mile north-west), Broadbridge (2 miles south) and Hambrook (2 miles west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Bognor Regis (8 miles south-east), Chichester (3 miles south-east), Selsey (9 miles south), Littlehampton (14 miles east), Emsworth (4 miles west) and Rustington (15 miles east).
Other landmarks nearby include Novium Museum (3 miles south-east) and Chichester Castle (3.1 miles south-east). The countryside around East Ashling includes Stoke Down and Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve.
- Schools near East Ashling include Bishop Luffa School (2.3 miles south-east)
- Local pubs include The Horse And Groom Public House (under half a mile north)
Also near East Ashling
Also in East Ashling
How the day works
Watching it cook is half the fun. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring. Evening receptions in East Ashling stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Before we arrive
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Tell us where to park and unload
Get a quote
It is easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote.
Planning help
Dietary needs and planning tips
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Check diets in advance
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Bar staff and sangria.
Why choose live paella in East Ashling?
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas work brilliantly. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Why choose Love Paella in East Ashling
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
Prices and what affects them
The price comes down to a few factors:
- The paellas you choose
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Parking and unloading
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
The cost per head usually falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What we need to know
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- Where the event is
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
Who books tapas catering in East Ashling?
One spread covers many tastes and diets.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in East Ashling book us for events such as:
- Engagement parties
- Evening grazing
- Birthday drinks
- Drinks parties and receptions
Historic houses near East Ashling include West Dean House (4 miles north-east) and Goodwood House (4.2 miles east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
Comparing caterers
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- VAT, if it applies
- How bad weather is handled
- Whether travel is included
For planners, venues and organisers
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we’ll explain how it works. We are happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Where we can cook in East Ashling
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Unloading access
- A spot for our serving station
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
On the menu in East Ashling
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- 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