East Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in South Heighton
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across South Heighton and East Sussex, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Engagement drinks
Tapas catering near South Heighton
About our tapas catering in South Heighton
Receptions, parties, office events and weddings all suit tapas in and around South Heighton. Popular choices include Manchego with membrillo, padrón peppers and tortilla española, and we are regularly asked to cater birthday drinks and office parties and launches.
Near South Heighton, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, with each paella cooked in its own pan.
- Area
- South Heighton (BN9)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Paella compared with other options
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Why us?
- Fast service from the pan
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Catering across East Sussex, including South Heighton
Take a look at Our prices page And Our guide to catering costs.
What else we do in South Heighton
How the day works
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you’re free to enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first while the paella cooks. At midsummer, it’s light in South Heighton until about 9:15pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Preparing for the day
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Give us a contact for the day
Getting a price
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Read more
Receptions and parties in South Heighton
South Heighton is about 1 mile north of Newhaven, in East Sussex. Events in South Heighton are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. South Heighton is one of 289 towns and villages in East Sussex where we cook. Our events stretch from South Heighton to Brighton (8 miles away).
Historic houses near South Heighton include Monk's House (2.9 miles north-west) and Firle Place (3 miles north-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Leonard. The South Downs National Park is within about 5 miles of South Heighton, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 4 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Tapas catering in BN9 is planned around your venue and your guests. For events just outside South Heighton, we cover Denton (1 mile south), Piddinghoe (1 mile west), Rodmell (3 miles north-west), Telscombe (3 miles west) and Firle (3 miles north). Further out, we also cater in Eastbourne (10 miles east), Seaford (3 miles south-east), Lewes (5 miles north-west), Hailsham (10 miles north-east), Uckfield (11 miles north) and Polegate (8 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Planet Earth Museum (within half a mile south-west) and Arlington Castle (4.8 miles east). Not far away are Itford Hill and Southerham Farm.
- Nearby schools include UTC@Harbourside (0.9 miles south)
- Nearby, you will find Hampden Arms (under half a mile east)
Organising for someone else?
Events in public spaces, like parks, normally need permission. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, often with alioli.
Dietary needs and planning tips
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Label seafood clearly
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Staff to serve canapés.
Before you choose a spot
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Unloading access
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in South Heighton
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
Who books tapas catering in South Heighton?
They suit standing receptions where a full meal does not fit.
Here are some of the events we cook for around South Heighton:
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Anniversary parties
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Work receptions
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Newhaven Town station, about 0.8 miles south.
What your quote should include
- If the price includes VAT
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Space, access and power needs
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
How we price tapas catering
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- How long we’re needed on site
- Whether you need crockery
- The paellas you choose
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. We itemise everything in your quote.
What we need to know
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but these help:
- The courses you’d like
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Roughly how many adults and children
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Common questions in South Heighton
We’re having a ceremony at Church of St Leonard: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Which station should guests use for South Heighton?
Newhaven Town station, about 0.8 miles south of the centre.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we’ll check with you and the venue.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes. Children often love a simple chicken paella. Tell us how many are coming.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three is usual: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We will help you decide the split.
What about pudding?
We do. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices, or you can serve your own cake.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, on request. Let us know your halal numbers, and it is cooked separately.
- 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