West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for Elsted events
Planning tapas catering in Elsted? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Birthday drinks
- Engagement celebrations
- Sharing tapas starters
Tapas catering for Elsted events
How our tapas catering works in Elsted
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; for seated meals, table tapas. Many events have both. Whether it’s birthday drinks and office parties and launches, we can cook Serrano ham, patatas bravas and tortilla española.
In a rural spot like Elsted, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We serve straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and service is quick once it is ready.
- Where
- Elsted (GU29)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Catering for every guest
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Collect dietary needs
- Label seafood clearly
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Should I cook it myself?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Elsted questions
Do you come out to small places like Elsted?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Do you cater in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will work to whatever the site needs.
Do you supply canapé staff?
Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to serve.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
What space do you need to cook?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
Do you come to Elsted?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, and Elsted is within our area. To check your date, fill in our quote form.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, if you need them. Let us know what you have, and we’ll quote for the rest.
Do you do desserts?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Let us know if you’d like one in your enquiry.
The process
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you can enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first while the paella cooks. Sunset in Elsted is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Preparing for the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Name one person we can ask on the day
Ask for a quote
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Prices and what affects them
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- How many staff you need
- Timings and hours
- Travel, parking and access
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Getting an accurate quote
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- A picture of the space, if you can
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- The date and time of the event
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Who books tapas catering in Elsted?
They make a perfect starter before paella.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We regularly cater:
- Sharing tapas starters
- Office parties and launches
- Birthday drinks
- Cocktail parties
After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of St Paul, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Comparing caterers
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- What happens if it rains
- How each diet is kept separate
- Whether travel is included
Places near Elsted
More for events in Elsted
Tapas for events in Elsted
Elsted is about 5 miles south-east of Petersfield, in West Sussex. We cook at events in gardens, halls and venues around Elsted and nearby villages. We cook in all 371 towns and villages in West Sussex. Our nearest city page is Guildford, about 22 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Uppark (2.7 miles south-west) and Cowdray House (4.7 miles east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Elsted is within about 2 miles of the South Downs National Park, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Tapas catering in GU29 is planned around your venue and your guests. Other places close to Elsted for tapas catering include East Harting (1 mile west), Elsted Marsh (1 mile north-east), Didling (1 mile south-east), Nyewood (2 miles north-west) and Dumpford (2 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (14 miles south-east), Chichester (9 miles south), Emsworth (9 miles south-west), Portfield (10 miles south), Yapton (14 miles south-east) and East Wittering (14 miles south).
Well-known places in the area include Midhurst Community Hospital (4.7 miles east). Open spaces near Elsted include Iping and Stedham Commons and Oakham Hill.
- Nearby, you’ll find The Three Horseshoes Public House (within half a mile east)
Planners, venues and businesses
Events in public spaces, like parks, usually need permission. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
What we need at the venue
We’ll agree the cooking spot with you before the day. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Permission from the venue
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Menu ideas
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
Why choose live paella in Elsted?
Nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why Elsted hosts choose us
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Catering across West Sussex, including Elsted
- Fast service from the pan
- 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