East Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in East Dean, East Sussex
Planning tapas catering in East Dean? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Tapas starters
- Tapas and paella menus
- Cocktail parties
Tapas catering for East Dean events
Tapas catering in East Dean, made fresh on the day
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; for seated meals, table tapas. Lots of events do both. We cook Serrano ham, tortilla española and patatas bravas, and we are frequently booked for birthday and anniversary parties and tapas and paella menus.
For a country party near East Dean, tapas and sangria set the mood. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
- Where
- East Dean (BN20)
- County
- East Sussex
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning for every diet
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. A few tips:
- Collect dietary needs
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Book staff to carry canapés round
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Crockery and serving dishes.
DIY paella versus live catering
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and do not stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
A closer look at the menu
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
Places near East Dean
Other catering in East Dean
What happens on the day
Here’s how the day normally runs: we arrive, set up and start cooking, your guests watch the rice cook, and it is served hot from the pan when you’re ready to eat. At midsummer, it’s light in East Dean until about 9:15pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
How to prepare
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
Getting a price
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Planning a tapas spread in East Dean
East Dean is about 4 miles south-west of Eastbourne, in East Sussex. We bring tapas catering to homes, gardens and venues in East Dean and the surrounding area. East Dean is one of 289 towns and villages in East Sussex where we cook. We cook right across the region, from East Dean to Brighton (about 16 miles away).
After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of St Simon and St Jude, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Historic houses near East Dean include Alfriston Clergy House (3.9 miles north-west). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. East Dean is within about 4 miles of the South Downs National Park, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors. With the sea within about 4 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Here we cover the BN20 postcode area, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. From Lower Street, Went Way and Gilberts Drive or anywhere nearby, we’ll bring the pans to you. Nearby, we also cater events in Friston (1 mile north-east), Birling Gap (1 mile south), Jevington (2 miles north), Meads (3 miles east) and Old Town (3 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Eastbourne (4 miles north-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (13 miles north-east), Seaford (4 miles west), Lewes (12 miles north-west), Hailsham (8 miles north) and Uckfield (15 miles north).
Well-known places in the area include Filching Manor And Motor Museum (3.3 miles north) and Eastbourne District General Hospital (3.3 miles north-east). The countryside around East Dean includes Combe Hill.
- Local pubs include The Tiger Inn (within half a mile north)
Occasions we cook for in East Dean
Tapas are sociable food.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In East Dean, people book us for occasions like:
- Sharing tapas starters
- Evening grazing
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Launches and office parties
For guests coming by train, Eastbourne station is about 3.4 miles away.
What your quote should include
- Payment terms and deposit
- Who provides the crockery
- How each diet is kept separate
- A clear list of what’s included
Questions from East Dean
Do you come out to small places like East Dean?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Do you cater in the South Downs National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three covers most guests. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, in front of your guests.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Lots. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
Do you cater for young children?
Yes. Children often love a simple chicken paella. Tell us how many are coming.
How we price tapas catering
These are the factors that matter most:
- Travel, parking and access
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- How many staff you need
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
What we need to know
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- Expected numbers
- Diets and allergies you know about
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Anything your venue supplies
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: use our quote form.
Paella compared with other options
Nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. 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.
Why East Dean hosts choose us
- Drinks service on request
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Fast service from the pan
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
See Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
Where we can cook in East Dean
If a space is not suitable, we will tell you, and help find another spot. The main points are:
- Space for a serving table or station
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
What we offer
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- 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