West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for Selsey events
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Selsey. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Evening sharing boards
- Anniversary parties
- Tapas before paella
Tapas catering for Selsey events
Tapas catering for your event in Selsey
Sangria and bar staff can be added, for a complete drinks and tapas package. For canapés with welcome drinks and evening sharing boards, we will put together a menu of gambas al ajillo, croquetas and tortilla española.
In a town like Selsey, tapas suit garden parties, hall parties and receptions. We need a small area to finish hot tapas. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, not reheated, and served the moment it’s ready.
- Area
- Selsey (PO20)
- County
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
The process
It’s a relaxed, well-organised set-up. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up the pans and burners, and get on with cooking and serving. A summer drinks reception in Selsey has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Let us know the timings for the day
How to get a price
To get a price, fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Related guides
Why choose tapas catering in Selsey?
They’re ideal when a full meal doesn’t fit.
Big or small, live paella works well. Common bookings include:
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Tapas and paella menus
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Sharing tapas starters
If you are looking at a historic venue around Selsey, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Comparing caterers
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- Who provides the crockery
- Space, access and power needs
- Staff numbers and hours
Drinks receptions around Selsey
Selsey is about 6 miles south-west of Bognor Regis, in West Sussex. We cook at events in gardens, halls and venues around Selsey and the surrounding area. We cater in all 371 towns and villages across West Sussex. We cook right across the region, from Selsey to Southampton (about 29 miles away).
After a ceremony at a church such as St Peter's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. The coast is within about a mile, so garlic prawns are popular.
Tapas catering in PO20 is planned around your venue and your guests. We can cater an event on streets such as Church Road, High Street and Ellis Square. Main roads around Selsey include the B2145, which makes travel to your event easy. We also cook at events in Church Norton (1 mile north-east), Keynor Estate (2 miles north), Sidlesham (3 miles north), Pagham (3 miles north-east) and Street End (4 miles north). We also cook in nearby towns such as Bognor Regis (6 miles north-east), Chichester (7 miles north), Littlehampton (12 miles north-east), Emsworth (10 miles north-west), Rustington (13 miles north-east) and Angmering (15 miles north-east). As one of the bigger places in West Sussex, Selsey has lots of places to hold an event.
Well-known places in the area include Selsey Lifeboat Museum (0.5 miles south-east).
- Local schools include The Academy (under half a mile north-west) and The Academy (within half a mile north-west)
- Local pubs include The Fisherman's Joy Public House (less than half a mile south)
Planning for every diet
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Include staff for canapés
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Where we can cook in Selsey
Every venue is different, so we will ask about yours before we confirm. Generally, we look for:
- Space on each table
- Room for a tapas table
- Access to unload near the serving area
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
Popular choices
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
How we price tapas catering
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- The paellas you choose
- How many guests are eating
- Parking and unloading
- Starters, canapés and desserts
There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
Getting an accurate quote
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- The date and time of the event
- Roughly how many adults and children
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Should I cook it myself?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
Common questions in Selsey
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Peter's Church?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you cook near the sea around Selsey?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
How far ahead should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Peak dates go quickly, so it pays to ask early.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
If you need them, yes. Proper crockery or quality disposables are available.
When do you arrive?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
How much is live paella catering?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Are the tapas fresh?
Hot tapas are finished on site.
Can you serve drinks?
Sangria, yes. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
For planners, venues and organisers
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Nearby places to Selsey
More for events in Selsey
What’s in the pans
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
- 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