West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Houghton, West 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 in Houghton.
- Engagement celebrations
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Book tapas catering in Houghton
Tapas catering in Houghton, made fresh on the day
For standing receptions, canapés work best; for seated meals, table tapas. Many events have both. Whether it is evening sharing boards and tapas before paella, we will put together a menu of albóndigas, Manchego with membrillo and croquetas.
Near Houghton, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. We serve straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
- Area
- Houghton (BN18)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Is live paella right for your event?
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas work brilliantly. The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why us?
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- A quote that spells everything out
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Real theatre, not just catering
Take a look at Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
Common questions in Houghton
Do you come out to small places like Houghton?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Could we have live paella in Arundel Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, generally the council. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
How much is live paella catering?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
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.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes. A simple chicken paella is normally popular with children. Include children in your numbers.
Do you cater in Houghton?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, and Houghton is within our area. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, in front of your guests.
For planners, venues and organisers
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.
Organising a club, school or community event in Houghton? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
The menu, dish by dish
Patatas bravas
Always popular and typically vegetarian.
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Who books tapas catering in Houghton?
Tapas get people talking, because everyone shares.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in Houghton book us for events such as:
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Evening sharing boards
- Work receptions
- Birthday drinks
Nearby historic houses include Bignor Roman Villa (2.8 miles north-west) and Parham House (3.1 miles north-east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Comparing caterers
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- The wet-weather plan
- Space, access and power needs
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
Catering for every guest
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Here’s how:
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Ask for labels on each dish
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
What happens on the day
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. We need a level, ventilated spot, which we agree with you beforehand. Sunset in Houghton is around 9:20pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
How to prepare
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
Get a quote
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Houghton? Tell us what you have in mind and we will reply with a menu and a clear price. To get in touch, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Planning the cooking area
Before the day, we will agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Venue approval for outside catering
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think before you book.
Popular choices
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
Places near Houghton
What else we do in Houghton
Drinks receptions around Houghton
Houghton is about 6 miles north of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. From the centre of Houghton to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Houghton is one of 371 places in West Sussex we cover. Our nearest city page is Brighton, about 19 miles away.
Parks such as Arundel Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Amberley station, about 0.5 miles north-east. The South Downs National Park is within about 2 miles of Houghton, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
For tapas catering in BN18, we plan around your venue and timings. Other places close to Houghton for tapas catering include Arundel (3 miles south), Warningcamp (3 miles south-east), Crossbush (3 miles south), Tortington (4 miles south) and Poling (4 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Worthing (8 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (9 miles south-west), Chichester (11 miles west), Selsey (15 miles south-west), Littlehampton (6 miles south) and Shoreham-by-Sea (13 miles east).
Nearby you’ll also find Arundel and District Hospital (2.7 miles south) and Amberley Castle (1.2 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Amberley Wild Brooks and Bignor Hill.
What tapas catering costs
Every event is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- How many guests are eating
- Your choice of paellas
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Distance and access to the venue
There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
What to tell us
These details help us quote quickly:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The address or venue name
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Your date and when you want to eat
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, fill in our quote form.
- 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