West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Ford, West Sussex
Something for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Ford.
- Engagement parties
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Sharing tapas starters
Book tapas catering in Ford
About our tapas catering in Ford
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they’re served at their best. We’re often asked to cater drinks reception canapés and tapas and paella menus, with tortilla española, croquetas and patatas bravas.
In a rural spot like Ford, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We serve straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
- Area
- Ford (BN18)
- County
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
What affects the price in Ford
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- The number of people
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Whether you need crockery
- Waiting and bar staff
Larger events usually cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
What to tell us
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- The date and time of the event
- The courses you’d like
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The venue or postcode
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Dishes our guests love
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Is live paella right for your event?
Tapas are flexible, so they fit most plans. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Why Ford hosts choose us
- A clear, itemised quote
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
Read Our prices page And Our guide to catering costs.
What happens on the day
The paella is cooked in giant, shallow pans over gas burners. We need a level, ventilated spot, and we agree where that is before the day. Sunset in Ford is around 9:20pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Name one person we can ask on the day
Ask for a quote
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Related guides
Receptions and parties in Ford
Ford is about 2 miles north-west of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. Across the BN18 area, we can bring the pans to you. We cover all 371 towns and villages in West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Ford to Brighton (about 20 miles away).
Historic buildings near Ford frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. Guests travelling by rail: Ford station is in Ford itself. Ford is within about 6 miles of the South Downs National Park, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 3 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
We cook at events all over the BN18 postcode area. From Station Road, Ford Road and Rodney Crescent or anywhere nearby, we will bring the pans to you. Other places close to Ford for tapas catering include Tortington (1 mile north), Horsemere Green (1 mile south), Climping (1 mile south), Wick (1 mile east) and Lyminster (1 mile east). Larger places within reach include Worthing (8 miles east), Bognor Regis (5 miles south-west), Chichester (9 miles west), Selsey (11 miles south-west), Shoreham-by-Sea (14 miles east) and Lancing (11 miles east).
A little further out are Arundel and District Hospital (2.1 miles north) and Rustington Museum (3.5 miles east). Green spaces nearby include WWT Arundel.
- Pubs nearby include The Arundel Arms Public House At Ford Station (within half a mile north-east)
More for events in Ford
Ford: your questions answered
Do you cater in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll follow the site rules.
Can you cater a reception after a service at The Parish Church of St Andrew?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
How much does tapas catering cost in Ford?
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.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Yes. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
How much tapas do we need?
It depends on whether they’re a starter, canapés or the whole meal. Tell us about the event and we will suggest quantities.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
What areas do you cover?
We cover London and the South East, including West Sussex. See all areas.
Do you cover Ford?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Ford and across West Sussex. Send us your date to check availability.
Who books tapas catering in Ford?
They make a perfect starter before paella.
These are some of the occasions we cater around Ford:
- Evening grazing
- Tapas and paella menus
- Sharing tapas starters
- Anniversary parties
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like The Parish Church of St Andrew.
What to look for in a quote
- Whether travel is included
- What happens if it rains
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- The venue requirements
Organising for someone else?
Organising a club, school or community event in Ford? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
DIY paella versus live catering
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
Planning for every diet
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Add sangria or cava
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Tell us what role tapas play
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Serving boards and crockery.
- 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