West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Shermanbury, West Sussex
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Shermanbury: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Evening grazing
- Anniversary parties
- Engagement parties
Tapas catering for Shermanbury events
How our tapas catering works in Shermanbury
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. On the menu are tortilla española, padrón peppers and Serrano ham, and we’re often booked for sharing boards for evening guests and anniversary parties.
In a rural spot like Shermanbury, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. The paella is served straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
- Where
- Shermanbury (RH13)
- County
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning the cooking area
Every venue is different, so we’ll ask about yours when you contact us. Generally, we look for:
- Permission from the venue
- Space for a serving table or station
- Unloading access
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
Perfect for your event in Shermanbury
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
These are some of the occasions we cater in Shermanbury and West Sussex:
- Engagement drinks
- Work receptions
- Evening grazing
- Cocktail parties
After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of St Giles, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
What to look for in a quote
- The deadline for final numbers
- The wet-weather plan
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
Also near Shermanbury
More for events in Shermanbury
Diets, allergies and planning
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Include staff for canapés
- Ask for labels on each dish
Afterwards, we clear away.
Bar staff and sangria.
What happens on the day
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Guests typically gather round to watch while it cooks. Evening receptions in Shermanbury stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
How to prepare
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Give us a contact for the day
How to get a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we’re available that day.
Related guides
How we price tapas catering
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Timings and hours
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- How many staff you need
- The number of people
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
What to tell us
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Expected numbers
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- The address or venue name
- Your date and when you want to eat
The quickest way to a quote is to fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will put together a menu and price.
Receptions and parties in Shermanbury
Shermanbury is about 7 miles west of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. For tapas catering in Shermanbury, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices. We cater in all 371 towns and villages in West Sussex. Our nearest city page is Brighton, about 11 miles away.
Shermanbury is within about 8 miles of the South Downs National Park, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
For tapas catering in RH13, we plan around your venue and timings. From Knapp Drive, Brighton Road and Partridge Green Road or a nearby road, we’ll bring the pans to you. For events just outside Shermanbury, we cover Kent Street (2 miles north-east), Cowfold (2 miles north), Wineham (2 miles east), Henfield (2 miles south) and Blackstone (3 miles south-east). Further out, we also cater in Crawley (11 miles north), Horsham (7 miles north), Worthing (11 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (9 miles east), Burgess Hill (7 miles east) and Littlehampton (15 miles south-west).
Other landmarks nearby include The Dene Hospital (5.2 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Knepp Wildland.
- Nearby, you will find The Bull Inn (0.9 miles south-east)
What’s in the pans
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Tortilla española
Potato omelette served in wedges or squares.
Your questions about tapas catering in Shermanbury
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 will follow the site rules.
Is Shermanbury close to London?
Roughly 38 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Of course. We cook vegetarian and vegan paellas in their own pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
Can we add drinks?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you are providing the drinks.
Do you provide drinks?
Sangria, yes. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Of course. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, served while the paella cooks.
How do you work out quantities?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.
How long does the paella take?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
Should I cook it myself?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. 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.
Is live paella right for your event?
For food that gets people mingling, tapas are hard to beat. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Why choose Love Paella in Shermanbury
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- A quote that spells everything out
Take a look at Our prices page And What paella catering costs.
- 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