West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in East Preston
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella turns food into part of your event in East Preston.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Engagement celebrations
Tapas catering for East Preston events
Organising for someone else?
Hosting a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
Tapas catering in East Preston, made fresh on the day
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. Whether it is evening sharing boards and launches and office parties, we’ll put together a menu of padrón peppers, croquetas and Serrano ham for your guests.
In East Preston, tapas work at home or in a local hall. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
- Where
- East Preston (BN16, BN12)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning the cooking area
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Space for a serving table or station
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before booking.
What we offer
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
Why choose tapas catering in East Preston?
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We regularly cater:
- Tapas starters
- Evening sharing boards
- Anniversary parties
- Drinks reception canapés
If you’re looking at a historic venue around East Preston, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
What to look for in a quote
- Payment terms and deposit
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- When final numbers are due
Drinks receptions around East Preston
East Preston is about 2 miles east of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. From the centre of East Preston to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. East Preston is one of 371 places in West Sussex where we cook. We cook right across the region, from East Preston to Brighton (about 15 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Angmering station, about 0.6 miles north-west. Historic houses near East Preston include Ecclesden Manor (1.3 miles north). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. East Preston is within about 8 miles of the South Downs National Park, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors. The coast is within about 3 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Tapas catering in BN16 and BN12 is planned around your venue and timings. Your event could be at a home on The Street, Station Road and Beechlands Close or the roads around them. If your venue is just outside East Preston, we also cover Angmering-on-Sea (1 mile south), West Kingston (1 mile south-east), West Preston (1 mile west), Kingston Gorse (1 mile south-east) and Angmering (1 mile north). We also cook in nearby towns such as Worthing (4 miles east), Bognor Regis (9 miles west), Chichester (13 miles west), Selsey (14 miles west), Shoreham-by-Sea (9 miles east) and Lancing (7 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Lyminster Siege Castle (3.8 miles north-west) and Zachary Merton Hospital (1 mile west). The countryside around East Preston includes Highdown Hill and WWT Arundel.
- Nearby schools include The Angmering School (0.8 miles north)
Places near East Preston
Also in East Preston
Common questions in East Preston
We’re having a ceremony at The Parish Church of St Mary: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
What’s the nearest station to East Preston for guests?
The closest is Angmering station, roughly 0.6 miles away.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Courtyards, doorways and terraces often work.
How much is live paella catering?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers and we will reply with a price.
Do you do desserts?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Let us know if you’d like one when you ask for a quote.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes. We arrive with everything we need and cook it there and then, then serve straight from the pan.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Hot tapas are finished on site.
How it works
On the day, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so the timing is planned around your event. Sunset in East Preston is around 9:20pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Getting ready for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Let us know the timings for the day
Ask for a quote
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Related guides
About the dishes
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil.
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Prices and what affects them
We will give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- The paellas you choose
- The number of people
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Waiting and bar staff
There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. We itemise everything in your quote.
Details that help
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Anything your venue supplies
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- The date and rough timings
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will make suggestions. To start, fill in our quote form.
Dietary needs and planning tips
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To get it right:
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
Afterwards, we clear away.
Add a live paella main.
Is live paella right for your event?
Standard canapés can feel samey. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before booking.
Why choose Love Paella in East Preston
- Events in East Preston and across West Sussex
- Fast service from the pan
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
See Our prices page And The cost guide.
- 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