West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Thakeham
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Thakeham: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests.
- Tapas before paella
- Engagement celebrations
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Book tapas catering in Thakeham
Tapas catering for your event in Thakeham
Tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties, office events and weddings. We cook croquetas, patatas bravas and albóndigas, and we are often booked for sharing boards for evening guests and drinks reception canapés.
In a rural spot like Thakeham, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
- Area
- Thakeham (RH20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
How we price tapas catering
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, depending on:
- Timings and hours
- Waiting and bar staff
- Whether you need crockery
- Parking and unloading
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
Getting an accurate quote
To speed things up, tell us:
- A picture of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- The venue or postcode
- What the venue already provides
- Your date and when you want to eat
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
Nearby places to Thakeham
What else we do in Thakeham
Step by step
Once the rice is in, we don’t stir it. That’s how the grains cook evenly and the toasted base, the socarrat, forms. The smell usually draws people over. At midsummer, it’s light in Thakeham until about 9:20pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
How to prepare
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
Getting a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Why choose live paella in Thakeham?
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas work brilliantly. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Why us?
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Fast service from the pan
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Events in Thakeham and across West Sussex
Take a look at How we price And The cost guide.
Perfect for your event in Thakeham
They’re ideal when a full meal does not fit.
Whatever the occasion, live paella can be the centrepiece. We regularly cater:
- Engagement celebrations
- Birthday drinks
- Tapas starters
- Work receptions
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Pulborough station, about 4.1 miles west.
What to look for in a quote
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- Space, access and power needs
- Whether travel is included
- Exactly what’s included in the price
Tapas for events in Thakeham
Thakeham is about 8 miles north of Worthing, in West Sussex. For tapas catering in Thakeham, we plan around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. Thakeham is one of 371 places in West Sussex we cover. We cook right across the region, from Thakeham to Brighton (15 miles away).
Historic houses near Thakeham include Parham House (3.6 miles south-west) and Old Place Manor (4 miles west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. Historic buildings near Thakeham often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. The South Downs National Park is within about 6 miles of Thakeham, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Anywhere in RH20, we can cook for your guests. Local streets include The Street, Bramble Lane and Cray's Lane; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Abingworth (1 mile south-west), Warminghurst (1 mile south-east), Goose Green (1 mile north-east), West Chiltington (1 mile north-west) and Heath Common (1 mile south). We also cook in nearby towns such as Crawley (15 miles north-east), Horsham (9 miles north-east), Worthing (8 miles south), Haywards Heath (15 miles east), Burgess Hill (13 miles east) and Littlehampton (10 miles south-west).
Nearby you’ll also find The Storrington And District Museum (2.2 miles south-west). Not far away are Knepp Wildland and Chanctonbury Hill.
Planning for every diet
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
Afterwards, we clear away.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Working with your venue
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Your questions about tapas catering in Thakeham
We’re having a ceremony at The Parish Church of St Mary: can you cater afterwards?
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 normally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Is Thakeham close to London?
About 41 miles from central London, and well within our area.
Is the paella gluten-free?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Of course. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, served while the paella cooks.
Do you cater for young children?
Yes. Children frequently love a simple chicken paella. Tell us how many are coming.
Can you serve drinks?
Sangria, yes. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Normally we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
Will there be enough food?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
The menu, dish by dish
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic and normally vegetarian.
Space, weather and the venue
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Space on each table
- Space for a serving table or station
- Space to finish hot dishes
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Popular choices
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- 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