West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for Poling events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Poling: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, right in front of your guests.
- Tapas starters
- Launches and office parties
- Anniversary parties
Tapas catering near Poling
About our tapas catering in Poling
Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. We cook padrón peppers, albóndigas and patatas bravas, and typical bookings are for cocktail parties and evening grazing.
Near Poling, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. We plan the timings around your day, whether that is speeches, a lunch break or a festival schedule.
- Area
- Poling (BN18)
- County
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
For event organisers in Poling
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Throwing a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
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 normally draws people over. Evening receptions in Poling stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Before we arrive
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Tell us when you want to eat
Ask for a quote
To get a price, fill in our quote form. Tell us about your event in Poling, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Read more
Who books tapas catering in Poling?
They cover lots of tastes and diets in one spread.
Here are some of the events we cook for around Poling:
- Cocktail parties
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Launches and office parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Arundel station, about 1.6 miles north-west.
Comparing caterers
- Travel and parking costs
- Whether VAT is included
- When final numbers are due
- What the caterer needs from your venue
Poling: venues and local tips
Poling is about 2 miles north of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. Wherever your event is in the BN18 area, we can cook for your guests. We cook in 371 places across West Sussex. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 17 miles away.
Historic buildings near Poling frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like The Parish Church of St Nicholas. The South Downs National Park is within about 5 miles of Poling, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 3 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
We cater events across BN18 and the streets around it. Close by, we cover events in Crossbush (1 mile north-west), Warningcamp (1 mile north-west), Toddington (1 mile south-west), Lyminster (2 miles west) and Rustington (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include Worthing (5 miles east), Bognor Regis (8 miles south-west), Chichester (12 miles west), Selsey (14 miles south-west), Shoreham-by-Sea (11 miles east) and Lancing (8 miles east).
Other landmarks nearby include Rustington Museum (2 miles south) and Zachary Merton Hospital (2.1 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Highdown Hill and WWT Arundel.
Planning for every diet
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
Staff keep the canapés coming.
Add a live paella main.
DIY paella versus live catering
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Why choose live paella in Poling?
Tapas are flexible, so they fit most plans. Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
Why Poling hosts choose us
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- We cover Poling and the whole of West Sussex
Take a look at How we price And Our guide to catering costs.
Also in Poling
Planning the cooking area
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Unloading access
- Space for a serving table or station
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
What we offer
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
What affects the price in Poling
We will give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- How long we are needed on site
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- How many staff you need
- The paellas you choose
There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Getting an accurate quote
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- What the venue already provides
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Your date and when you want to eat
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, use our quote form.
Your questions about tapas catering in Poling
Can you cater a reception after a service at The Parish Church of St Nicholas?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is usually elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
What’s the nearest station to Poling for guests?
Arundel station, about 1.6 miles north-west of the centre.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
How soon do we need to book?
As soon as you have a date. Peak dates go quickly, so contact us early.
Do you cater for young children?
Of course. A simple chicken paella is typically popular with children. Include children in your numbers.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Of course. Tapas can be booked without paella.
Do we need staff for canapés?
Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to carry them round.
- 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