West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Southwater
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in Southwater. We cook from scratch on site, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Engagement celebrations
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Tapas catering for Southwater events
Step by step
Service is quick: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so large groups are fed quickly. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. A summer drinks reception in Southwater has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
Ask for a quote
Planning tapas catering in Southwater? Send us the details and we will come back with ideas and a quote. To get in touch, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
How our tapas catering works in Southwater
We finish hot tapas on site, so they arrive hot. We are frequently asked to cater anniversary parties and table tapas as a starter, serving tortilla española, croquetas and Serrano ham.
For a party in a place like Southwater, a tapas spread is easy and sociable. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: the menu, the staff and any extras, with no surprises on the day.
- Area
- Southwater (RH13)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Places near Southwater
What else we do in Southwater
Common questions in Southwater
What’s the nearest station to Southwater for guests?
Christs Hospital station, about 1.9 miles north-west of the centre.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Holy Innocents Church?
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 typically elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Who clears up?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Courtyards, doorways and terraces often work.
How much space do you need?
Less than you might think: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. If in doubt, send a photo.
How soon do we need to book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Of course. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Plenty are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers. We label each dish.
Planning a tapas spread in Southwater
Southwater is about 3 miles south of Horsham, in West Sussex. We cater events at homes, gardens and venues in Southwater and the surrounding area. We cover all 371 towns and villages across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Southwater to Brighton (16 miles away).
Historic buildings near Southwater often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. After a ceremony at a church such as Holy Innocents Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
We cater events across RH13 and the streets around it. We can cater an event on streets such as Station Road, Walmer Close and Pevensey Road or the roads around them. We also cook at events in Tower Hill (2 miles north), Nuthurst (2 miles east), Brooks Green (2 miles west), Barns Green (2 miles west) and Maplehurst (2 miles south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Crawley (9 miles north-east), Horsham (3 miles north), Worthing (14 miles south), Haywards Heath (11 miles east), Burgess Hill (11 miles south-east) and Shoreham-by-Sea (13 miles south).
Well-known places in the area include Christs Hospital School Museum (1.5 miles north-west) and Horsham Hospital (3.2 miles north). Not far away are Knepp Wildland.
- Nearby schools include The Doyle School of Design and Technology (1.5 miles north-west)
- Local pubs include The Lintot pub (within half a mile west)
How we price tapas catering
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, depending on:
- Parking and unloading
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- How many staff you need
- The paellas you choose
Larger events typically cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Getting an accurate quote
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Try to include:
- Your date and when you want to eat
- What the venue already provides
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Where the event is
It is easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We will come back with a clear quote.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Check diets in advance
Canapés circulate with drinks as guests arrive.
Staff to serve canapés.
Who books tapas catering in Southwater?
They cover lots of tastes and diets in one spread.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Anniversary parties
- Cocktail parties
- Engagement drinks
Guests travelling by rail: Christs Hospital station is about 1.9 miles away.
Before booking anyone
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- What the price includes, item by item
- How each diet is kept separate
- Whether travel is included
Why choose live paella in Southwater?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We’ll send you a quote.
Why us?
- Catering across West Sussex, including Southwater
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
Read Our pricing Or The cost guide.
A closer look at the menu
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil.
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Organising for someone else?
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Hosting a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we will tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
- 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