West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in East Lavant
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in East Lavant and the surrounding area.
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Launches and office parties
- Anniversary parties
Tapas catering in East Lavant
About our tapas catering in East Lavant
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. Canapés go round while guests mingle, or table tapas go out to share. We are often asked to cater canapés with welcome drinks and tapas and paella menus, with croquetas, Serrano ham and Manchego with membrillo.
Near East Lavant, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
- Location
- East Lavant (PO18)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Step by step
It’s a relaxed, well-organised set-up. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up the pans and burners, and get on with cooking and serving. A summer drinks reception in East Lavant has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
Get a quote
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We will come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Planning help
East Lavant: venues and local tips
East Lavant is about 2 miles north of Chichester, in West Sussex. Tell us where your event in East Lavant will be, and we will plan the journey and set-up before the day. We cater in 371 places in West Sussex. Our events stretch from East Lavant to Southampton (27 miles away).
Historic houses near East Lavant include Goodwood House (1.5 miles east) and West Dean House (2.6 miles north). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Mary, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Wherever your event is in PO18, we can bring tapas catering to you. Your event could be at a home on Pook Lane, Fordwater Road and Shop Lane or the roads around them. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Mid Lavant (1 mile north-west), Westerton (2 miles south-east), Westhampnett (2 miles south-east), Waterbeach (2 miles east) and Maudlin (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cater in Bognor Regis (7 miles south-east), Selsey (9 miles south), Littlehampton (11 miles east), Emsworth (7 miles west), Rustington (12 miles east) and Storrington (15 miles east).
Other landmarks nearby include Chichester Castle (2 miles south) and The Chichester City Museum (2.1 miles south). The countryside around East Lavant includes Stoke Down and Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve.
- Nearby schools include Bishop Luffa School (2.2 miles south-west)
- Local pubs include The Royal Oak Public House (under half a mile north-east)
Questions from East Lavant
Do you come out to small places like East Lavant?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
How far is East Lavant from London?
About 53 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Generally we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, because we use gas burners. Some venues have suitable spaces; we’ll check with you and the venue.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Children are welcome. Let us know numbers and ages, and we’ll plan a pan with them in mind.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, and it’s a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
What does tapas catering cost?
We quote for each event, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers and we will reply with a price.
How far ahead should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Peak dates go quickly, so contact us early.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and meat eaters frequently go back for seconds. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Organising for someone else?
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in East Lavant? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
Hosting a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and do not stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Nearby places to East Lavant
Other catering in East Lavant
Perfect for your event in East Lavant
Tapas get people talking, because everyone shares.
Here are some of the events we cook for around East Lavant:
- Tapas and paella menus
- Engagement parties
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Chichester station, about 2.5 miles south.
Questions to ask before booking
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Staff numbers and hours
- How bad weather is handled
- Whether VAT is included
What tapas catering costs
Your quote will be clear and itemised. What affects it most:
- Distance and access to the venue
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Waiting and bar staff
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Details that help
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- The courses you’d like
- The date and rough timings
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Diets and allergies you know about
Still deciding on the menu? That’s fine: give us the basics about your event, and we will suggest a menu. To start, use our quote form.
Is live paella right for your event?
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, which makes them easy to plan around. Live paella pricing depends on the event. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Why East Lavant hosts choose us
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Catering across West Sussex, including East Lavant
Take a look at Our pricing Or What paella catering costs.
Space, weather and the venue
We’ll agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Unloading access
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before you book.
What we offer
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
What’s in the pans
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
- 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