West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for Petworth events
Something for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Petworth.
- Drinks reception canapés
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Tapas before paella
Tapas catering near Petworth
Tapas catering in Petworth, cooked live
A good spread mixes hot and cold: cold cheese and ham with hot bravas, croquetas and garlic prawns. We are frequently asked to cater welcome-drink canapés and receptions and drinks parties, serving tortilla española, gambas al ajillo and croquetas.
In a rural spot like Petworth, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. You’ll know exactly what’s included before you book: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
- Area
- Petworth (GU28)
- County
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
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. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Your questions about tapas catering in Petworth
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 will follow the site rules.
How far is Petworth from London?
About 42 miles from central London.
How much paella per person?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a sensible margin. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Do you supply canapé staff?
Canapés work best with staff serving, which we can supply.
How much is live paella catering?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
Are the tapas fresh?
We finish hot dishes on site; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
Who clears up?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
Do you do desserts?
We can add a dessert. Let us know if you’d like one when you ask for a quote.
Paella compared with other options
For food that gets people mingling, tapas work brilliantly. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
Why choose Love Paella in Petworth
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Sangria and bar staff available
- A clear, itemised quote
- Fast service from the pan
Nearby places to Petworth
Other catering in Petworth
Events we cater in Petworth
Tapas get people talking, because everyone shares.
Here are some of the events we cook for in Petworth and West Sussex:
- Office parties and launches
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Engagement celebrations
After a ceremony at a church such as Sacred Heart Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
What your quote should include
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- VAT, if it applies
- Allergen information for each dish
How we price tapas catering
These are the factors that matter most:
- How many guests are eating
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- How long we are needed on site
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before you book.
Getting an accurate quote
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- Where the event is
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The courses you’d like
- A picture of where we’d cook
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote.
For planners, venues and organisers
Events in public spaces, like parks, usually need permission. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
Throwing a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Each dish is labelled.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Before you choose a spot
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Unloading access
- Space on each table
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
On the menu in Petworth
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
The process
We get there well before serving, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Your guests are welcome to watch as the paella takes shape. At midsummer, it is light in Petworth until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
How to prepare
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Name one person we can ask on the day
Ask for a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Planning help
Drinks receptions around Petworth
Petworth is about 12 miles north-east of Chichester, in West Sussex. From the centre of Petworth to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Petworth is one of 371 places in West Sussex where we cook. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 18 miles away.
If you are looking at a historic venue around Petworth, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Nearby historic houses include Petworth House (within half a mile north) and Bignor Roman Villa (4.3 miles south). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. The South Downs National Park is within about 6 miles of Petworth, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cover events in every part of the GU28 postcode area and the streets around it. Streets in the area include Station Road, Back Lane and Rosemary Lane, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Main roads around Petworth include the A272 and A283, which makes travel to your event easy. We also cook at events in Hampers Green (1 mile north), Haslingbourne (1 mile south-east), Tillington (1 mile west), Rotherbridge (1 mile south-west) and Upperton (1 mile north-west). Larger places within reach include Horsham (14 miles north-east), Worthing (14 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (14 miles south), Chichester (12 miles south-west), Littlehampton (12 miles south) and Rustington (13 miles south).
Well-known places in the area include Coates Castle (2.6 miles south) and Coultershaw Heritage Site (1.2 miles south). Open spaces near Petworth include The Mens.
- Nearby, you will find The Old Square Tavern (within half a mile north)
- 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