West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Emsworth
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in Emsworth. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Launches and office parties
- Tapas before paella
- Birthday drinks
Planning an event in Emsworth?
Step by step
On the day, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so we time everything to your schedule. Evening receptions in Emsworth stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
How to prepare
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
How to get a price
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
How our tapas catering works in Emsworth
We finish hot tapas on site, so they arrive hot. For tapas with a paella main course and drinks reception canapés, we will put together a menu of Serrano ham, tortilla española and patatas bravas.
Tapas make a party in Emsworth easy and sociable. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
- Area
- Emsworth (PO10)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Tapas for events in Emsworth
Emsworth is about 2 miles east of Havant, in West Sussex. Whether your event is in the middle of Emsworth or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Emsworth is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex we cover. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 20 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St James, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Historic houses near Emsworth include Warblington Castle (1.3 miles west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. With the sea within about 6 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Tapas catering in PO10 is planned around your venue and your guests. That could mean an event in a garden on High Street, Beacon Square and Seagull Lane or the roads around them. With the A27 and A259 close by, Emsworth is simple for us to get to. Nearby, we also cater events in Lumley (1 mile east), Westbourne (1 mile north-east), Denvilles (1 mile west), Southbourne (1 mile east) and Warblington (2 miles south-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Bognor Regis (12 miles east), Chichester (7 miles east), Selsey (10 miles south-east), Portfield (8 miles east), Yapton (14 miles east) and East Wittering (7 miles south-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Havant War Memorial Hospital (2.2 miles west) and Emsworth Museum (under half a mile south). The countryside around Emsworth includes Brook Meadow (Emsworth).
- Nearby schools include Bourne Community College (1 mile east)
- Nearby, you will find The Kings Arms (under half a mile south-west)
Dietary needs and planning tips
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Collect dietary needs
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
Staff keep the canapés coming.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Space, weather and the venue
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We need:
- Unloading access
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Space for a serving table or station
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Popular choices
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
Towns and villages near Emsworth
What else we do in Emsworth
The menu, dish by dish
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette served in wedges or squares.
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside, frequently with ham or mushroom.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Common questions in Emsworth
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St James?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is typically elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
What about events near the coast?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Absolutely.
Can you supply plates?
We can. Tell us what your venue provides and we’ll include the rest in the quote.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Usually we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, because we use gas burners. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
How many different paellas?
Two or three covers most guests. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Let us know if you’d like one in your enquiry.
Can we add drinks?
Sangria and bar staff can be added.
Why choose live paella in Emsworth?
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas work brilliantly. Got a budget? Let us know, and we will put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Why us?
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Fast service from the pan
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Sangria and bar staff available
Prices and what affects them
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- The length of service
- Your choice of paellas
- Travel, parking and access
The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
What to tell us
To check availability and price, we need:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- The address or venue name
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The date and time of the event
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, along with any dietary needs, and you’ll get a menu idea and a price. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
Who books tapas catering in Emsworth?
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
We’re booked for all kinds of occasions in Emsworth and nearby. Popular bookings include:
- Tapas and paella menus
- Launches and office parties
- Sharing tapas starters
- Drinks parties and receptions
Parks such as Eames Farm have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
What your quote should include
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- When final numbers are due
- Payment terms and deposit
- A clear list of what’s included
- 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