East Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for Friston events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Friston: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Evening grazing
- Tapas before paella
- Sharing tapas starters
Tapas catering for Friston events
Tapas catering in Friston, made fresh on the day
Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. We are often asked to cater birthday and anniversary parties and welcome-drink canapés, with Serrano ham, Manchego with membrillo and padrón peppers.
Tapas make a party in Friston easy and sociable. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in a separate pan.
- Area
- Friston (BN20)
- Area hub
- East Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Organising for someone else?
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we’ll explain how it works. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
Why choose tapas catering in Friston?
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in Friston book us for occasions like:
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Cocktail parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Anniversary parties
Nearby historic houses include Alfriston Clergy House (3.7 miles north-west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Questions to ask before you book
- What happens if it rains
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Whether VAT is included
- The venue requirements
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Places near Friston
More for events in Friston
FAQs for Friston
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 Simon and St Jude?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
Do you clear up afterwards?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas first, paella to follow.
Do you cover Friston?
We do. Friston is one of the places we cover. Send us your date to check availability.
Can you do sangria?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you are providing the drinks.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance so the paella is ready when you want it.
Prices and what affects them
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- The paellas you choose
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Guest numbers
- How many staff you need
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Details that help
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- The date and time of the event
- Roughly how many adults and children
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Any dietary needs and allergies
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Why choose live paella in Friston?
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, which makes them easy to plan around. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
What you get with us
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
See Our pricing Or The cost guide.
Before you choose a spot
If a space is not suitable, we will tell you. The main points are:
- Parking near the venue
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Popular choices
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
Diets, allergies and planning
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Here’s how:
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Book staff to carry canapés round
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Waiting staff for canapés.
Planning a tapas spread in Friston
Friston is about 4 miles south-west of Eastbourne, in East Sussex. We cook at events in gardens, halls and venues around Friston and nearby villages. Friston is one of 289 towns and villages in East Sussex we cover. Our events stretch from Friston to Brighton (16 miles away).
After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of St Simon and St Jude, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Eastbourne station, about 3.2 miles east. The South Downs National Park is within about 4 miles of Friston, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 4 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
We cook at events all over the BN20 postcode area. That could mean an event in a garden on Dene Side, Dene Close and Michel Close. If your venue is just outside Friston, we also cover East Dean (1 mile south-west), Birling Gap (1 mile south), Jevington (2 miles north), Old Town (3 miles east) and Meads (3 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Eastbourne (4 miles north-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (13 miles north-east), Seaford (4 miles west), Lewes (12 miles north-west), Hailsham (7 miles north) and Uckfield (15 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include Eastbourne District General Hospital (3 miles north-east) and Filching Manor And Motor Museum (3 miles north). The countryside around Friston includes Combe Hill.
- Pubs nearby include The Tiger Inn (under half a mile south-west)
How it works
Here’s how the day normally runs: we arrive, set up and start cooking, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and it is served hot from the pan at the agreed time. At midsummer, it’s light in Friston until about 9:15pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Name one person we can ask on the day
Get a quote
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Friston? Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back with ideas and a quote. Just fill in our quote form.
Planning help
- 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