Brighton and Hove · England
Tapas Catering in Stanmer
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Stanmer and Brighton and Hove, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Engagement celebrations
- Evening sharing boards
- Tapas with a paella main course
Live tapas catering in Stanmer
Tapas catering for your event in Stanmer
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. Canapés go round while guests mingle, or table tapas go out to share. On the menu are albóndigas, tortilla española and gambas al ajillo, and we are often booked for tapas with a paella main course and drinks parties and receptions.
In a rural spot like Stanmer, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in a separate pan.
- Location
- Stanmer (BN1)
- Area hub
- Brighton and Hove
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
What happens on the day
It is a relaxed, well-organised set-up. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up the pans and burners, and get on with cooking and serving. Sunset in Stanmer is around 9:20pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
Preparing for the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Give us a contact for the day
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
Get a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can use our quote form.
Related guides
Receptions and parties in Stanmer
Stanmer is about 3 miles north-east of Brighton, in Brighton and Hove. Across the BN1 area, we can cook for your guests. Stanmer is one of 30 places in Brighton and Hove we cover.
A picnic in Stanmer Park? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering. If you’re looking at a historic venue around Stanmer, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Stanmer is within about 4 miles of the South Downs National Park, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors. The coast is within about 4 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
We cater events across the BN1 postcode area and the streets around it. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Hollingbury (1 mile south-west), Moulsecoomb (2 miles south), Bevendean (2 miles south), Patcham (2 miles west) and Hollingdean (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Brighton (3 miles south-west), Brighton and Hove (4 miles south-west), Hove (4 miles south-west), Carlton Hill (3 miles south), Hanover (3 miles south) and West Hill (3 miles south-west).
Nearby you’ll also find Clayton Castle (3.4 miles north-west) and Churchill Square (3.7 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Ditchling Beacon and Ladies Mile.
- Local schools include Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (0.9 miles south-east)
- Pubs nearby include Ruby pub (0.8 miles south)
- Local facilities include University of Sussex Library (0.6 miles south-east)
Planners, venues and businesses
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
The menu, dish by dish
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic and normally vegetarian.
Tortilla española
Potato omelette served in wedges or squares.
Occasions we cook for in Stanmer
They cover lots of tastes and diets in one spread.
Big or small, live paella works well. Common bookings include:
- Sharing tapas starters
- Engagement drinks
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Tapas before paella
Historic houses near Stanmer include Preston Manor & Gardens (2.8 miles south-west) and Royal Pavilion (3.6 miles south-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
Comparing caterers
- If the price includes VAT
- Space, access and power needs
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- The wet-weather plan
Prices and what affects them
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- Your choice of paellas
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- The number of people
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What we need to know
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The venue or postcode
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The date and rough timings
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Places near Stanmer
What else we do in Stanmer
Paella compared with other options
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, so they fit most plans. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We’ll send you a quote.
Why book with us
- Drinks service on request
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
Read How we price Or The cost guide.
Should I cook it myself?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Questions from Stanmer
Is Stanmer too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Which station should guests use for Stanmer?
Falmer station, about 0.8 miles south-east of the centre.
Can you bring crockery?
We can. Tell us what your venue provides and we will include the rest in the quote.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. We arrive with everything we need and cook it there and then, then serve straight from the pan.
Are the tapas served hot?
We finish hot dishes on site; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
Do you have vegetarian tapas?
Plenty are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers. We label each dish.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three covers most guests. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
Can you cater for children?
Yes. A simple chicken paella is normally popular with children. Tell us how many are coming.
Before you choose a spot
We’ll agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Unloading access
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before booking.
Popular choices
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- 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