West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Merston
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Merston.
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Launches and office parties
Live tapas catering in Merston
Live paella or other catering?
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas are hard to beat. The cost per head normally falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Why us?
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
Take a look at Our prices page And The cost guide.
Tapas catering for your event in Merston
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; table tapas suit seated meals. Many events have both. We are frequently asked to cater drinks parties and receptions and tapas starters, serving Manchego with membrillo, tortilla española and gambas al ajillo.
In a rural spot like Merston, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
- Where
- Merston (PO20)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Perfect for your event in Merston
They cover lots of tastes and diets in one spread.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In Merston, people book us for events such as:
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Birthday drinks
- Office parties and launches
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Giles.
Comparing caterers
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- The deadline for final numbers
- Travel and parking costs
- VAT, if it applies
Diets, allergies and planning
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. A few tips:
- Check diets in advance
- Label seafood clearly
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Bar staff and sangria.
How we price tapas catering
Your quote will be clear and itemised. The main things that affect it are:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- How many guests are eating
- The length of service
- How many courses
Got a budget? Let us know, and we will suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Getting an accurate quote
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Anything your venue supplies
- Which courses you have in mind
- Diets and allergies you know about
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, use our quote form.
FAQs for Merston
Can you cook near the sea around Merston?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
Is Merston close to London?
Roughly 54 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
How much does tapas catering cost in Merston?
We quote for each event, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
How many tapas per person?
It depends on whether they’re a starter, canapés or the whole meal. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest quantities.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, where your guests can watch.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in its own pan.
How long does the paella take?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance so the paella is ready when you want it.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Plenty are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers. We label each dish.
Places near Merston
Also in Merston
Should I cook it myself?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Drinks receptions around Merston
Merston is about 3 miles south-east of Chichester, in West Sussex. Anywhere in PO20, we can bring the pans to you. We cater in 371 places across West Sussex. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 26 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Goodwood House (3.5 miles north). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Chichester station, about 2.3 miles west. With the sea within about 4 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Here we cover the PO20 postcode area. We also cook at events in Runcton (1 mile south-west), Colworth (1 mile east), Oving (1 mile north), North Mundham (1 mile west) and Lagness (1 mile south). Further out, we also cater in Worthing (15 miles east), Bognor Regis (3 miles south-east), Chichester (3 miles north-west), Selsey (6 miles south), Littlehampton (9 miles east) and Emsworth (9 miles west).
Other landmarks nearby include The Chichester City Museum (2.3 miles north-west) and St Richard's Hospital (2.3 miles north-west).
- Local schools include North Mundham Primary School (1.2 miles west) and Chichester High School For Girls (2.1 miles west)
Where we can cook in Merston
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We look for:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before you book.
What we offer
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
How the day works
The cooking is part of the entertainment. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook. At midsummer, it is light in Merston until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- 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.
How to prepare
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
Ask for a quote
It is easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll come back with a clear quote.
Planning help
What’s in the pans
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic.
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat, often with ham or mushroom.
- 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