East Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in South Malling, East Sussex
Something for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in South Malling.
- Anniversary parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Engagement celebrations
Tapas catering near South Malling
Step by step
The paella is cooked in huge, shallow pans over gas burners. We need a level, ventilated spot, which we agree with you beforehand. At midsummer, it’s light in South Malling 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.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Leave space around the cooking area
Get a quote
To get a price, use our quote form. Tell us about your event in South Malling, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Planning help
Tapas catering in South Malling, made fresh on the day
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they’re served at their best. For drinks parties and receptions and launches and office parties, we can cook tortilla española, albóndigas and Serrano ham and more.
Around South Malling, tapas suit garden parties and village-hall celebrations. We serve straight from the pan, so it’s hot and generous, and service is quick once it is ready.
- Location
- South Malling (BN7, BN8)
- County
- East Sussex
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Where we can cook in South Malling
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We need:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Room for a tapas table
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
Menu ideas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
Diets, allergies and planning
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Bar staff and sangria.
South Malling questions
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Michael?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Can you cook in Railway Land?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
Can you cater for children?
Yes. A simple chicken paella is normally popular with children. Tell us how many are coming.
Do you cook it at the event?
It is. We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook it there and then, then serve straight from the pan.
Where do you cater?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three covers most guests. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, on request. Let us know your halal numbers, and it’s cooked separately.
How far ahead should we book?
The sooner the better. Popular dates book up first, so it pays to ask early.
Tapas for events in South Malling
South Malling is about 1 mile north-east of Lewes, in East Sussex. Whether your event is in the middle of South Malling or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cater in 289 places across East Sussex. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 7 miles away.
If you’re looking at a historic venue around South Malling, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Lewes station, about 0.7 miles south. South Malling is within about a mile of the South Downs National Park, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Wherever your event is in BN7 and BN8, we can cook for your guests. Whether your event is on Lee Road, New Road and Mill Road or a nearby road, we’ll bring the pans to you. With the A26 and A2029 close by, South Malling is simple for us to get to with everything for your event. For events just outside South Malling, we cover Lewes (1 mile south-west), Cliffe (1 mile south-east), Southover (1 mile south), Hamsey (1 mile north) and Offham (1 mile north-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Eastbourne (14 miles south-east), Seaford (8 miles south-east), Hailsham (11 miles east), Crowborough (14 miles north-east), Uckfield (7 miles north-east) and Newhaven (6 miles south).
Well-known places in the area include St John under the Castle Lewes (less than half a mile south-west) and Museum of Agricultural Bygones (3.6 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Malling Down and Cliffe Hill.
- Schools near South Malling include Lewes Old Grammar School (0.6 miles south-west) and Priory School (0.8 miles south)
- Local pubs include Elephant and Castle pub (under half a mile south-west)
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. 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.
Live paella or other catering?
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. Larger events normally cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
Why us?
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- We cover South Malling and the whole of East Sussex
- A quote that spells everything out
The menu, dish by dish
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Other catering in South Malling
Why choose tapas catering in South Malling?
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
These are some of the occasions we cater around South Malling:
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Anniversary parties
- Work receptions
- Tapas and paella menus
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Michael, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Before you book anyone
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Who provides the crockery
- What the price includes, item by item
- What happens if it rains
For planners, venues and organisers
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
If you are organising for someone else, whether you are a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
- 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