East Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Hamsey, East Sussex
Something for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Hamsey.
- Engagement parties
- Office parties and launches
- Receptions and drinks parties
Book tapas catering in Hamsey
Dietary needs and planning tips
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To make it work smoothly:
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
Tapas catering in Hamsey, made fresh on the day
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they arrive hot. Whether it’s anniversary parties and welcome-drink canapés, we can cook padrón peppers, Manchego with membrillo and croquetas and more.
In a rural spot like Hamsey, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
- Location
- Hamsey (BN8)
- County
- East Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
How it works
On the day, we set up our cooking area, light the burners and start the sofrito. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so the timing is planned around your event. At midsummer, it is light in Hamsey until about 9:15pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Preparing for the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
How to get a price
It is easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We will come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Related guides
Why choose live paella in Hamsey?
Standard canapés can feel samey. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We will send you a quote.
Why us?
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Drinks service on request
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Real theatre, not just catering
Take a look at How we price And What paella catering costs.
Other catering in Hamsey
Space, weather and the venue
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We need:
- Permission from the venue
- Space for a serving table or station
- Access to unload near the serving area
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
What tapas catering costs
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Parking and unloading
- The paellas you choose
- The length of service
Got a budget? Let us know, and we’ll suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
What to tell us
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- Where the event is
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The date and rough timings
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. When you are ready, send us your details through our quote form.
Drinks receptions around Hamsey
Hamsey is about 1 mile north of Lewes, in East Sussex. For tapas catering in Hamsey, we plan around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. Hamsey is one of 289 towns and villages in East Sussex we cover. Our nearest city page is Brighton, about 7 miles away.
Parks such as Railway Land have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. Nearby historic houses include Anne of Cleves House (1.9 miles south) and Glyndebourne (2.9 miles south-east). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Hamsey is within about 2 miles of the South Downs National Park, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Anywhere in BN8, we can bring tapas catering to you. If your venue is just outside Hamsey, we also cover Offham (1 mile south-west), South Malling (1 mile south), Lewes (1 mile south), Cliffe (2 miles south) and Southover (2 miles south). We also cook in nearby towns such as Eastbourne (14 miles south-east), Seaford (9 miles south-east), Hailsham (11 miles east), Crowborough (13 miles north-east), Uckfield (7 miles north-east) and Newhaven (7 miles south).
A little further out are Museum of Agricultural Bygones (3.7 miles east) and Lewes Castle (1.6 miles south). Not far away are Malling Down and Offham Hill.
- Local schools include Priory School (2 miles south)
- Local pubs include The Blacksmiths Arms (0.8 miles west)
- Parks and local facilities nearby include St John under the Castle Lewes (1.3 miles south)
Perfect for your event in Hamsey
They’re the classic starter before paella.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Evening sharing boards
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Office parties and launches
- Drinks parties and receptions
After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of St Peter, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Questions to ask before booking
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- What happens if it rains
- When payment is due
- Any travel, parking or access charges
DIY paella versus live catering
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 for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
FAQs for Hamsey
Can you cook at venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll follow the site rules.
Which station should guests use for Hamsey?
The closest is Cooksbridge station, roughly 0.8 miles away.
How far ahead should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Popular dates book up first, so get in touch early.
Do you do starters?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, while the rice is cooking.
Can you bring crockery?
We can. Let us know what you have, and we’ll quote for the rest.
How much paella per person?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Do you cook inside?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Can you cook halal paella?
We can. Let us know your halal numbers, and we’ll cook a separate pan.
Working with your venue
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so guests are fed quickly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
- 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