Brighton and Hove · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Prestonville, Brighton and Hove
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Prestonville and nearby, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Engagement drinks
- Office parties and launches
Tapas catering in Prestonville
Drinks receptions around Prestonville
Prestonville is about 1 mile west of Brighton, in Brighton and Hove. From the centre of Prestonville to the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Prestonville is one of 30 towns and villages in Brighton and Hove we cover.
Historic buildings near Prestonville often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Preston Park station, about 0.6 miles north. The South Downs National Park is within about 6 miles of Prestonville, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors. The coast is within about 2 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
For tapas catering in BN1, BN3 and BN88, we plan around your venue and timings. We can cater an event on streets such as Dyke Road, Home Road and Lloyd Road or the roads around them. Main roads around Prestonville include the A23, so getting the burners and pans to your event is simple. Nearby, we also cater events in Seven Dials (1 mile south), Preston (1 mile north), West Hill (1 mile south-east), Brunswick (1 mile south) and Withdean (1 mile north). We also cook in nearby towns such as Saltdean (5 miles south-east), East Saltdean (6 miles south-east), Roedean (3 miles south-east), Rottingdean (4 miles east) and Ovingdean (4 miles south-east).
A little further out are Clayton Castle (5 miles north) and Churchill Square (1 mile south). Green spaces nearby include Whitehawk Hill and Newmarket Hill.
- Schools near Prestonville include Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College (within half a mile south) and The Drive Prep School (0.7 miles west)
- Local pubs include Milligan House (less than half a mile east)
Tapas catering in Prestonville, made fresh on the day
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. Popular choices include padrón peppers, gambas al ajillo and croquetas, and typical bookings are for engagement drinks and tapas and paella menus.
For a party in a place like Prestonville, a tapas spread is easy and sociable. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
- Area
- Prestonville (BN1, BN3, BN88)
- Area hub
- Brighton and Hove
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
How the day works
Watching it cook is half the fun. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring. At midsummer, it’s light in Prestonville until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- 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
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
Get a quote
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Planning help
FAQs for Prestonville
Can you cook at venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Which station should guests use for Prestonville?
Preston Park station, about 0.6 miles north of the centre.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
How much is live paella catering?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas for a clear quote.
Is the paella cooked on site?
It is. We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook on the day, serving it hot from the pan.
Also in Prestonville
Live paella or other catering?
Generic canapés all look the same. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Why us?
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
Read Our pricing And The cost guide.
How we price tapas catering
Every event is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- Distance and access to the venue
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Waiting and bar staff
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Details that help
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- A picture of where we’d cook
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, along with any dietary needs, and we will reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Planners, venues and businesses
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we’ll explain how it works. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside, often with ham or mushroom.
Perfect for your event in Prestonville
They make a perfect starter before paella.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Cocktail parties
- Launches and office parties
- Tapas starters
After a ceremony at a church such as St Luke's Church Prestonville, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Before booking anyone
- Travel and parking costs
- Space, access and power needs
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Planning the cooking area
No two venues are the same, so we’ll ask about yours when you contact us. Generally, we look for:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Space to finish hot dishes
- A spot for our serving station
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- 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