Brighton and Hove · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Ovingdean, Brighton and Hove
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Ovingdean and Brighton and Hove, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas with a paella main course
Tapas catering in Ovingdean
About our tapas catering in Ovingdean
Sangria and bar staff can be added, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. Popular choices include croquetas, gambas al ajillo and Manchego with membrillo, and we are often booked for birthday drinks and welcome-drink canapés.
Near Ovingdean, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. We serve straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and service is quick once it’s ready.
- Location
- Ovingdean (BN2)
- Region
- Brighton and Hove
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
For event organisers in Ovingdean
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Places near Ovingdean
What else we do in Ovingdean
Planning a tapas spread in Ovingdean
Ovingdean is about 3 miles south-east of Hanover, in Brighton and Hove. Give us the address of your event in Ovingdean, and we will plan the journey and set-up. We cover all 30 towns and villages across Brighton and Hove.
Parks such as Beacon Hill have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. Historic houses near Ovingdean include Royal Pavilion (2.8 miles west) and Preston Manor & Gardens (3.8 miles north-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. The South Downs National Park is within about 6 miles of Ovingdean, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors. The coast is within about 3 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Tapas catering in BN2 is planned around your venue and your guests. That could mean an event in a garden on Longhill Road, Ovingdean Road and Wanderdown Road. Nearby, we also cater events in Rottingdean (1 mile east), Roedean (1 mile west), Saltdean (2 miles south-east), East Saltdean (2 miles south-east) and Telscombe (3 miles east). Further out, we also cater in Brighton (3 miles north-west), Brighton and Hove (5 miles west), Hove (4 miles west), Carlton Hill (3 miles west), Hanover (3 miles north-west) and West Hill (3 miles west).
A little further out are Brighton Motor Museum (1.9 miles west) and French Convalescent Home (1.5 miles west). Open spaces near Ovingdean include Newmarket Hill and Beacon Hill Local Nature Reserve.
- Local schools include Longhill High School (less than half a mile north-east) and Our Lady of Lourdes RC School (0.9 miles south-east)
- Nearby, you’ll find Duck Inn (0.9 miles south-east)
How it works
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. We need a level, ventilated spot, which we agree with you beforehand. A summer drinks reception in Ovingdean has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We pack down when service ends.
Preparing for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
Ask for a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we’re available that day.
Planning help
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
What affects the price in Ovingdean
These are the factors that matter most:
- The paellas you choose
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Whether you need crockery
- Guest numbers
Larger events usually cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What we need to know
To check availability and price, we need:
- What the venue already provides
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The date and rough timings
- The courses you’d like
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we will make suggestions. Start when you’re ready: send us your details through our quote form.
Dishes our guests love
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic and normally vegetarian.
What we need at the venue
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We need:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Space to finish hot dishes
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Popular choices
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
Dietary needs and planning tips
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Add sangria or cava
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Collect dietary needs
Canapés go round with the drinks as guests arrive.
Bar staff and sangria.
Who books tapas catering in Ovingdean?
Big or small, tapas work.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Table tapas as a starter
- Birthday drinks
- Office parties and launches
- Tapas and paella menus
After a ceremony at a church such as St Wulfran's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Before booking anyone
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- When final numbers are due
- When payment is due
- How long the team stays
Ovingdean: your questions answered
Do you cater in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will work to whatever the site needs.
What about events near the coast?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Do you do starters?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Yes, tapas work on their own, for receptions, parties and evening food.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Yes. Tortilla, bravas and Manchego are popular vegetarian choices.
How far ahead should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Popular dates book up first, so it pays to ask early.
Will there be enough food?
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.
What space do you need to cook?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
- 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