West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for Elmer events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Elmer: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests.
- Birthday drinks
- Engagement parties
- Tapas before paella
Tapas catering near Elmer
Tapas catering for your event in Elmer
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. We are frequently asked to cater canapés with welcome drinks and sharing tapas starters, serving gambas al ajillo, albóndigas and Manchego with membrillo.
Around Elmer, tapas suit garden parties and village-hall celebrations. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
- Location
- Elmer (PO22)
- County
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Paella compared with other options
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. Everything is confirmed in writing.
What you get with us
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
Take a look at Our prices page And The cost guide.
Also in Elmer
Space, weather and the venue
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Room for a tapas table
- An area to prepare hot tapas
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
Menu ideas
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
Questions from Elmer
What’s the nearest station to Elmer for guests?
The closest is Ford station, roughly 2.9 miles away.
How far is Elmer from London?
About 54 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Of course. Children often love a simple chicken paella. Include children in your numbers.
What do you need at the venue?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
What does tapas catering cost?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers and we will reply with a price.
Is it really cooked live?
It is. We arrive with everything we need and cook on the day, then serve straight from the pan.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Of course. Tapas can be booked without paella.
Can you do sangria?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you are providing the drinks.
Why choose tapas catering in Elmer?
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
Here are some of the events we cook for:
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Engagement parties
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Tapas with a paella main course
Historic buildings near Elmer often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue.
Comparing caterers
- What the price includes, item by item
- Staff numbers and hours
- If the price includes VAT
- What happens if it rains
Organising for someone else?
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
Events in public spaces, like parks, typically need permission. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
What happens on the day
The paella is cooked in giant, shallow pans over gas burners. We need a level, ventilated spot, which we agree with you beforehand. At midsummer, it is light in Elmer until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, 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.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Before we arrive
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
Getting a price
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Planning for every diet
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Include staff for canapés
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Bar staff and sangria.
DIY paella versus live catering
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Drinks receptions around Elmer
Elmer is about 3 miles east of Bognor Regis, in West Sussex. Tell us where your event in Elmer will be, and we’ll plan access and set-up before the day. We cook in all 371 towns and villages in West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Elmer to Brighton (about 21 miles away).
Guests travelling by rail: Ford station is about 2.9 miles away. After a ceremony at a church such as St Nicholas Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. With the sea within about 3 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Anywhere in PO22, we can cook for your guests. Local streets include Elmer Road, Ancton Lane and East Avenue; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. For events just outside Elmer, we cover Middleton-on-Sea (1 mile west), Bilsham (1 mile north), Atherington (1 mile north-east), Flansham (2 miles north-west) and Horsemere Green (2 miles north-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Worthing (9 miles east), Bognor Regis (3 miles west), Chichester (8 miles north-west), Selsey (9 miles south-west), Littlehampton (4 miles east) and Shoreham-by-Sea (15 miles east).
A little further out are Bognor Regis Museum (3.1 miles west) and Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital (2.9 miles west).
- Nearby schools include Felpham Community College (2.1 miles west)
What tapas catering costs
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- The length of service
- Travel, parking and access
- The paellas you choose
- Whether you need crockery
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What to tell us
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Which courses you have in mind
- Where the event is
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
- 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