East Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for Penhurst events
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Penhurst and nearby, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Work receptions
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Engagement drinks
Tapas catering for Penhurst events
Tapas catering in Penhurst, cooked live
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they’re served at their best. We cook Manchego with membrillo, padrón peppers and croquetas, and we are regularly asked to cater evening grazing and tapas before paella.
In a rural spot like Penhurst, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: the menu, the staff and any extras, with no surprises on the day.
- Location
- Penhurst (TN33)
- County
- East Sussex
- Dietary options
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Live paella or other catering?
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Why choose Love Paella in Penhurst
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- A quote that spells everything out
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
Take a look at Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
What happens on the day
Here’s how the day normally runs: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and we serve straight from the pan at the agreed time. Evening receptions in Penhurst stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:15pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Before we arrive
- Give us a contact for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Plan cover in case of rain
Ask for a quote
Send us the date, your venue or TN33 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
Diets, allergies and planning
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To make it work smoothly:
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Collect dietary needs
- Label seafood clearly
Canapés go round with the drinks as guests arrive.
Serving boards and crockery.
Occasions we cook for in Penhurst
Tapas get people talking, because everyone shares.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in Penhurst and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Tapas and paella menus
- Engagement celebrations
- Evening grazing
- Drinks reception canapés
Historic buildings near Penhurst frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue.
What to look for in a quote
- How late numbers can change
- Allergen information for each dish
- Space, access and power needs
- VAT, if it applies
DIY paella versus live catering
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
The menu, dish by dish
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce, often with alioli.
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat, frequently with ham or mushroom.
What we need at the venue
We will agree the cooking spot with you before the day. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Access to unload near the serving area
- A spot for our serving station
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
What we offer
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
Towns and villages near Penhurst
Other catering in Penhurst
Your questions about tapas catering in Penhurst
We’re having a ceremony at The Parish Church of St Michael: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is normally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Is Penhurst too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Should we have more than one paella?
Most events have two or three: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We will suggest a split based on your guests.
Do you cater in Penhurst?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, including Penhurst and the rest of East Sussex. To check your date, fill in our quote form.
Do you supply canapé staff?
Canapés work best with staff serving, which we can supply.
Can you do sangria?
We can make sangria, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
What does tapas catering cost?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
What if the weather’s bad?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We’ll talk it through before the day.
Prices and what affects them
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- Waiting and bar staff
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- The number of people
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Getting an accurate quote
To check availability and price, we need:
- What the venue already provides
- The date and rough timings
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Roughly how many adults and children
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, use our quote form.
Penhurst: venues and local tips
Penhurst is about 6 miles north-west of Bexhill-on-Sea, in East Sussex. Whether your event is in the middle of Penhurst or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Penhurst is one of 289 towns and villages in East Sussex we cover. We cook right across the region, from Penhurst to Brighton (about 24 miles away).
Parks such as Ashburnham Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. Historic houses near Penhurst include Bateman's (4.7 miles north). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. The High Weald National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Penhurst, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Here we cover the TN33 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. If your venue is just outside Penhurst, we also cover Steven's Crouch (2 miles south-east), Netherfield (2 miles north-east), Twelve Oaks (2 miles north), Hollingrove (3 miles north) and Brightling (3 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Eastbourne (11 miles south-west), Hastings (8 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (6 miles south-east), Hailsham (8 miles south-west), Crowborough (14 miles north-west) and St Leonards (8 miles south-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Battle Museum of Local History (3.2 miles east) and Bexhill Hospital (5.8 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Senlac Hill.
- 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