West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in River, West Sussex
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in River and the surrounding area.
- Evening sharing boards
- Tapas before paella
- Birthday drinks
Tapas catering in River
Tapas catering in River, cooked live
Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. For evening sharing boards and table tapas as a starter, we can cook Manchego with membrillo, albóndigas and patatas bravas.
In a rural spot like River, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
- Area
- River (GU28)
- County
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Diets, allergies and planning
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Include staff for canapés
Canapés go round with the drinks.
Serving boards and crockery.
Your questions about tapas catering in River
Can you cook at venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Is River close to London?
Roughly 42 miles from the centre of London.
What if the weather’s bad?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Do you do desserts?
We can add a dessert. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes, always. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, where your guests can watch.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria, yes. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans.
How we price tapas catering
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Your choice of paellas
- How long we’re needed on site
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Details that help
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Your date and when you want to eat
- The venue or postcode
- Diets and allergies you know about
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, use our quote form.
More for events in River
Live paella or other catering?
For food that gets people mingling, tapas are hard to beat. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Why choose Love Paella in River
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- A quote that spells everything out
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
Take a look at Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
Should I cook it myself?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
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.
River: venues and local tips
River is about 12 miles east of Petersfield, in West Sussex. Whether your event is in the middle of River or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cook in 371 places across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from River to Guildford (about 17 miles away).
If you are looking at a historic venue around River, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of St Peter, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. River is within about 4 miles of the South Downs National Park, ideal for an outdoor reception.
We cook at events all over the GU28 postcode area. For events just outside River, we cover Upperton (1 mile east), Selham (2 miles south), Tillington (2 miles south-east), South Ambersham (2 miles south-west) and Hampers Green (2 miles east). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (14 miles south), Chichester (12 miles south-west), Littlehampton (14 miles south-east), Rustington (15 miles south-east), Storrington (11 miles south-east) and Billingshurst (9 miles east).
A little further out are Lodsworth Castle (1.3 miles south) and Coultershaw Heritage Site (3 miles south-east). Open spaces near River include Graffham Common and Blackdown.
- Local pubs include The Hollist Arms Public House (0.7 miles west)
Why choose tapas catering in River?
They’re ideal when a full meal does not fit.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in River book us for occasions like:
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Engagement parties
- Tapas starters
- Evening grazing
Nearby historic houses include Petworth House (2.4 miles east) and Cowdray House (3.1 miles west). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
What to look for in a quote
- If the price includes VAT
- Space, access and power needs
- The deadline for final numbers
- Staff numbers and hours
Space, weather and the venue
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Unloading access
- A spot for our serving station
- An area to prepare hot tapas
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Popular choices
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
About the dishes
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Patatas bravas
Always popular and normally vegetarian.
How the day works
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Guests generally gather round to watch as the paella takes shape. At midsummer, it is light in River until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Getting a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Read more
- 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