West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Somerley, West Sussex
Planning tapas catering in Somerley? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Tapas before paella
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Tapas starters
Tapas catering near Somerley
Tapas for events in Somerley
Somerley is about 4 miles north-west of Selsey, in West Sussex. For tapas catering in Somerley, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Somerley. We cover 371 places across West Sussex. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 26 miles away.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Fishbourne station, about 4 miles north. After a ceremony at a church such as St James' Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. With the sea within about 5 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Wherever your event is in PO20, we can bring tapas catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Your event could be at a home on Bell Lane and Hundredsteddle Lane. We also cook at events in Almodington (1 mile south-east), Birdham (1 mile north-east), Shipton Green (1 mile north-west), Earnley (1 mile south) and East Wittering (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Bognor Regis (7 miles east), Chichester (5 miles north-east), Selsey (4 miles south-east), Littlehampton (14 miles east), Emsworth (6 miles north-west) and Rustington (15 miles east).
A little further out are Chichester Castle (4.9 miles north-east) and St Richard's Hospital (5.2 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Pilsey Island.
- Nearby, you will find The Birdham Public House (1 mile north-east)
Tapas catering in Somerley, made fresh on the day
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. We are frequently asked to cater tapas starters and cocktail parties, with croquetas, padrón peppers and tortilla española.
In a rural spot like Somerley, 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.
- Where
- Somerley (PO20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Should I cook it myself?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Planning the cooking area
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- A spot for our serving station
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
What we offer
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
Why live cooking beats a buffet
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why choose Love Paella in Somerley
- A quote that spells everything out
- Catering across West Sussex, including Somerley
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
See How we price Or The cost guide.
Organising for someone else?
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll explain how it works. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so guests are fed quickly. Tell us how long you have for food.
How we price tapas catering
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- Whether you need crockery
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Parking and unloading
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
Got a budget? Let us know, and we will suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Details that help
To check availability and price, we need:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- A picture of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, fill in our quote form.
The process
When the rice goes in, it is left alone. That is how the grains cook evenly and the toasted base, the socarrat, forms. The smell typically draws people over. At midsummer, it is light in Somerley until about 9:20pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- Send 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 clear our equipment afterwards.
How to prepare
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
How to get a price
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Somerley? Tell us what you have in mind and we will reply with a menu and a clear price. To contact us, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Questions from Somerley
Can you cater a reception after a service at St James' Church?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Do you come out to small places like Somerley?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
How much does tapas catering cost in Somerley?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we will send a quote.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria, yes, plus bar staff for your own drinks.
Do you take everything away?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
Can you provide dessert?
We can add a dessert. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
Do you have vegetarian tapas?
Plenty are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers. Each dish is labelled.
Do we need staff for canapés?
We can provide staff. Canapés need staff to serve.
Occasions we cook for in Somerley
They cover lots of tastes and diets in one spread.
Big or small, live paella works well. Common bookings include:
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Table tapas as a starter
- Engagement parties
- Drinks parties and receptions
If you are looking at a historic venue around Somerley, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Comparing caterers
- The deposit and payment dates
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- When final numbers are due
What’s in the pans
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat.
Tortilla española
Potato omelette cut into bites.
Places near Somerley
What else we do in Somerley
- 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