East Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Selmeston
Looking for tapas catering in Selmeston? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Launches and office parties
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Drinks reception canapés
Tapas catering near Selmeston
Receptions and parties in Selmeston
Selmeston is about 5 miles north of Seaford, in East Sussex. For an event in Selmeston, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices. We cook in 289 places across East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 12 miles away.
Historic buildings near Selmeston frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Berwick (Sussex) station, about 1 mile east. Selmeston is within about 3 miles of the South Downs National Park, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 6 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Wherever your event is in BN26, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Streets in the area include The Street and Lewes Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Other places close to Selmeston for tapas catering include Alciston (1 mile south), Berwick (1 mile east), Ripe (2 miles north), Winton (2 miles south) and Wickstreet (2 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Eastbourne (7 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (14 miles east), Seaford (5 miles south), Lewes (6 miles west), Hailsham (5 miles east) and Crowborough (14 miles north).
A little further out are Drusillas Museum (1.8 miles south-east) and Chailey Heritage Marine Hospital (5.3 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Firle Beacon.
- Nearby, you’ll find The Barley Mow pub (under half a mile south-west)
Tapas catering for your event in Selmeston
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. For cocktail parties and tapas before paella, we’ll put together a menu of Serrano ham, patatas bravas and padrón peppers for your guests.
For a country party near Selmeston, tapas and sangria set the mood. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
- Area
- Selmeston (BN26)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
FAQs for Selmeston
Do you come out to small places like Selmeston?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Which station should guests use for Selmeston?
Berwick (Sussex) station, about 1 mile east of the centre.
Do we need staff for canapés?
Staff make canapés work, and we can provide them.
Can you supply plates?
If you need them, yes. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables are available.
Can you provide dessert?
We do. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
How far ahead should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Peak dates go quickly, so it pays to ask early.
How much paella per person?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.
Can you serve drinks?
Yes, sangria. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Perfect for your event in Selmeston
They make a perfect starter before paella.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In Selmeston, people book us for occasions like:
- Cocktail parties
- Engagement drinks
- Table tapas as a starter
- Launches and office parties
Historic houses near Selmeston include Charleston Farmhouse (1.2 miles west) and Firle Place (2.3 miles west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
Comparing caterers
- How long the team stays
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- When final numbers are due
- What happens if it rains
What affects the price in Selmeston
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- The number of people
- Travel, parking and access
- How many courses
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Details that help
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- The date and time of the event
- Expected numbers
- A picture of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. Start when you’re ready: fill in our quote form.
Planning the cooking area
We will agree the cooking spot with you before the day. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Parking near the venue
- A spot for our serving station
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before you book.
On the menu in Selmeston
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
Is live paella right for your event?
Generic canapés all look the same. Tapas bring something different. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Why book with us
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Drinks service on request
- A quote that spells everything out
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
Working with your venue
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
Planning for every diet
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Collect dietary needs
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
Table tapas are set down to share at the start of the meal.
Bar staff and sangria.
How it works
The paella is cooked in giant, shallow pans over gas burners. We need a level, ventilated spot, which we agree with you beforehand. At midsummer, it is light in Selmeston until about 9:15pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Give us a contact for the day
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Plan cover in case of rain
Get a quote
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
Read more
Should I cook it myself?
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 at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Other catering in Selmeston
- 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