East Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in South Chailey
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across South Chailey and East Sussex, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Office parties and launches
- Drinks reception canapés
- Drinks parties and receptions
Live tapas catering in South Chailey
Occasions we cook for in South Chailey
They’re easy to eat with a drink in hand.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We regularly cater:
- Work receptions
- Evening sharing boards
- Engagement celebrations
- Tapas starters
Historic houses near South Chailey include Anne of Cleves House (5 miles south). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
Before booking anyone
- Whether VAT is included
- Allergen information for each dish
- Staff numbers and hours
- Who provides the crockery
About our tapas catering in South Chailey
For standing receptions, canapés work best; table tapas suit seated meals. Many events have both. Typical bookings include birthday drinks and engagement celebrations, with padrón peppers, tortilla española and Serrano ham.
Near South Chailey, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
- Area
- South Chailey (BN8)
- County
- East Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
What happens on the day
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you can enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first as the rice is cooking. Evening receptions in South Chailey stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Before we arrive
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
Ask for a quote
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in South Chailey? Send us the details and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. To contact us, send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
South Chailey: your questions answered
Do you cater 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.
Do you come out to small places like South Chailey?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
How many tapas per person?
We plan quantities around your timings and courses. Give us the details for a suggestion.
When do you arrive?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three covers most guests. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
What does tapas catering cost?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we will send a quote.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. We arrive with everything we need and cook it there and then, serving it hot from the pan.
What space do you need to cook?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
Towns and villages near South Chailey
Other catering in South Chailey
Prices and what affects them
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- Waiting and bar staff
- The number of people
- Travel, parking and access
- The paellas you choose
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Getting an accurate quote
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Which courses you have in mind
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Anything your venue supplies
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can fill in our quote form.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Got a budget? Let us know, and we will put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why choose Love Paella in South Chailey
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Catering across East Sussex, including South Chailey
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
See Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
Planning for every diet
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To get it right:
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Tell us what role tapas play
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Staff to serve canapés.
DIY paella versus live catering
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Dishes our guests love
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Planning a tapas spread in South Chailey
South Chailey is about 4 miles north of Lewes, in East Sussex. Anywhere in BN8, we can bring the pans to you. We cook in all 289 towns and villages in East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 9 miles away.
Guests travelling by rail: Plumpton station is about 1.7 miles away. Historic buildings near South Chailey frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. The South Downs National Park is within about 5 miles of South Chailey, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Wherever your event is in BN8, we can bring tapas catering to you. From Mill Brooks, Whitegates Close and Brickyard Lane or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Other places close to South Chailey for tapas catering include South Street (1 mile north), Chiltington (1 mile south), Chailey (2 miles north-east), East Chiltington (2 miles south-west) and Plumpton Green (2 miles west). Larger places within reach include Seaford (13 miles south-east), Lewes (4 miles south), Hailsham (13 miles south-east), Crowborough (11 miles north-east), Uckfield (6 miles east) and Newhaven (11 miles south).
Well-known places in the area include Lewes Castle (4.8 miles south) and Lewes Victoria Hospital (4.5 miles south). The countryside around South Chailey includes Blackcap and Malling Down.
- Nearby, you will find Swan Public House (under half a mile south-east)
Planning the cooking area
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Room for a tapas table
- Venue approval for outside catering
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Menu ideas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- 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