West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Lodsworth, West Sussex
Planning tapas catering in Lodsworth? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Work receptions
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Tapas and paella menus
Tapas catering near Lodsworth
What’s in the pans
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free.
Tapas catering for your event in Lodsworth
Tapas are sharing food, made for conversation. Canapés go round while guests mingle, or table tapas go out to share. On the menu are patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo and Serrano ham, and we’re regularly asked to cater engagement celebrations and work receptions.
Near Lodsworth, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
- Area
- Lodsworth (GU28)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Drinks receptions around Lodsworth
Lodsworth is about 11 miles east of Petersfield, in West Sussex. From the centre of Lodsworth to the outskirts, we offer the same service: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Lodsworth is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex where we cook. Our nearest city page is Guildford, about 18 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of St Peter, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Historic houses near Lodsworth include Cowdray House (2.4 miles south-west) and Petworth House (3.2 miles east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. The South Downs National Park is within about 3 miles of Lodsworth, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Here we cover the GU28 postcode area. Streets in the area include The Street, Shepherds Lane and The Croft, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Lickfold (2 miles north), Lurgashall (2 miles north), Ebernoe (4 miles north-east), Northchapel (4 miles north-east) and Ansteadbrook (6 miles north). Further out, we also cater in Bognor Regis (15 miles south), Chichester (12 miles south), Littlehampton (15 miles south-east), Emsworth (15 miles south-west), Rustington (15 miles south-east) and Storrington (12 miles south-east).
Nearby you’ll also find Midhurst Museum (2.7 miles west) and Midhurst Community Hospital (2.4 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Blackdown and Graffham Common.
- Local pubs include The Hollist Arms Public House (under half a mile south)
Why choose tapas catering in Lodsworth?
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
If you are planning any of these, we can help:
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Tapas and paella menus
Historic buildings near Lodsworth frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
Questions to ask before you book
- Whether VAT is included
- Staff numbers and hours
- A clear list of what’s included
- How each diet is kept separate
Also near Lodsworth
What else we do in Lodsworth
Planners, venues and businesses
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.
Events in public spaces, like parks, typically need permission. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Collect dietary needs
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Waiting staff for canapés.
What happens on the day
Once the rice is in, we do not stir it. That is what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. The smell generally draws people over. A summer drinks reception in Lodsworth has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- Send 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.
Before we arrive
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
Getting a price
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
Related guides
Is live paella right for your event?
For food that gets people mingling, tapas are hard to beat. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why us?
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Events in Lodsworth and across West Sussex
- Real theatre, not just catering
FAQs for Lodsworth
We’re having a ceremony at The Parish Church of St Peter: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Can you cook at venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will follow the site rules.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Yes. Tortilla, bravas and Manchego are popular vegetarian choices.
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 make a separate gluten-free pan.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
Should we have more than one paella?
Typically two or three, so every guest has a choice. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
Will there be enough food?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
What tapas catering costs
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Distance and access to the venue
- The length of service
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Details that help
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Where the event is
- Anything your venue supplies
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
The quickest way to a quote is to fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will put together a menu and price.
- 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