East Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Laughton, East Sussex
Looking for tapas catering in Laughton? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Tapas and paella menus
- Sharing tapas starters
Live tapas catering in Laughton
About our tapas catering in Laughton
For standing receptions, canapés work best; for seated meals, table tapas. Lots of events do both. Whether it is engagement celebrations and launches and office parties, we can cook albóndigas, gambas al ajillo and Serrano ham.
Near Laughton, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, not reheated.
- Area
- Laughton (BN8)
- County
- East Sussex
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Planners, venues and businesses
Hosting a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and do not stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
How the day works
Once the rice is in, we don’t stir it. That’s how the grains cook evenly and the toasted base, the socarrat, forms. Your guests will smell it before they see it. At midsummer, it’s light in Laughton until about 9:15pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. 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 suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
Preparing for the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
How to get a price
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Laughton? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. Just use our quote form.
Read more
Common questions in Laughton
Do you cater in the South Downs National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Is Laughton too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
What space do you need to cook?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
Do you cater in Laughton?
Yes. We cover London and the South East, and Laughton is within our area and the rest of East Sussex. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities around your timings and courses. Tell us more and we’ll advise.
Do you provide drinks?
We can make sangria, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Even if it is short notice, it’s worth asking.
What we need at the venue
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Space for a serving table or station
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
On the menu in Laughton
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
Dishes our guests love
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite when made carefully.
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Tapas for events in Laughton
Laughton is about 5 miles south of Uckfield, in East Sussex. We bring tapas catering to gardens, halls and venues around Laughton. Laughton is one of 289 towns and villages in East Sussex where we cook. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 12 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of All Saints, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. For guests coming by train, Glynde station is about 3.9 miles away. The South Downs National Park is within about 6 miles of Laughton, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cook at events all over BN8. Streets in the area include Shortgate Lane, Lewes Road and Pound Lane, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Laughton sits on or near the B2124, which makes travel to your event easy. Nearby, we also cater events in Ripe (2 miles south), Golden Cross (2 miles east), Wickstreet (4 miles south-east), Selmeston (4 miles south) and Berwick (4 miles south). Larger places within reach include Eastbourne (10 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (15 miles east), Seaford (8 miles south), Lewes (6 miles west), Hailsham (6 miles south-east) and Crowborough (11 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include Tickerage Castle (5 miles north) and Uckfield Community Hospital (4.8 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Cliffe Hill.
- Pubs nearby include The Roebuck Inn (within half a mile north)
Towns and villages near Laughton
Other catering in Laughton
What affects the price in Laughton
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Timings and hours
- The paellas you choose
- Whether you need crockery
- How many guests are eating
Larger events normally cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Details that help
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The courses you’d like
- The date and rough timings
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Events we cater in Laughton
Big or small, tapas work.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Work receptions
- Cocktail parties
- Table tapas as a starter
- Tapas before paella
If you are looking at a historic venue around Laughton, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
What your quote should include
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- The deadline for final numbers
- VAT, if it applies
- Allergen information for each dish
Dietary needs and planning tips
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Here’s how:
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Include staff for canapés
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Waiting staff for canapés.
- 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