West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Upperton, West Sussex
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Upperton and across West Sussex.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Evening grazing
- Work receptions
Tapas catering in Upperton
How our tapas catering works in Upperton
Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. Typical bookings include canapés with welcome drinks and tapas starters, with tortilla española, Manchego with membrillo and gambas al ajillo.
For a country party near Upperton, tapas and sangria set the mood. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
- Location
- Upperton (GU28)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Why live cooking beats a buffet
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel special. The cost per head normally falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why Upperton hosts choose us
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Drinks service on request
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
See How we price And What paella catering costs.
How we price tapas catering
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Waiting and bar staff
- Timings and hours
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We’ll send you a quote.
Details that help
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- Anything your venue supplies
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Your date and when you want to eat
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Dishes our guests love
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat, often with ham or mushroom.
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Also near Upperton
Also in Upperton
Events we cater in Upperton
Tapas are sociable food.
In Upperton and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Some of the most common are:
- Tapas and paella menus
- Tapas starters
- Office parties and launches
- Drinks parties and receptions
Historic buildings near Upperton often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue.
Before you book anyone
- A clear list of what’s included
- When final numbers are due
- The venue requirements
- What happens if it rains
What happens on the day
We work to your timings. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we hold the paella at the right stage so it’s served at its best. Evening receptions in Upperton stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- 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.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Give us a contact for the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Tell us where to park and unload
How to get a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Related guides
Upperton questions
Can you cook at venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Is Upperton too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
How many different paellas?
Most events have two or three: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We will suggest a split based on your guests.
How much paella per person?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Of course. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans.
Do you cater in Upperton?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Upperton and across West Sussex. Send us your date to check availability.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities around your timings and courses. Tell us more and we’ll advise.
Can you cook halal paella?
We can. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and we’ll cook a separate pan.
What we need at the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Room for a tapas table
- Permission from the venue
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
Popular choices
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
DIY paella versus live catering
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we’ll do the cooking.
Upperton: venues and local tips
Upperton is about 12 miles north-east of Chichester, in West Sussex. We bring tapas catering to gardens, halls and venues around Upperton and nearby villages. Upperton is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex where we cook. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 18 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Petworth House (1.2 miles south-east) and Cowdray House (4.2 miles west). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like The Parish Church of All Hallows. The South Downs National Park is within about 5 miles of Upperton, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cover events in every part of the GU28 postcode area. For events just outside Upperton, we cover Tillington (1 mile south-east), Hampers Green (1 mile east), River (1 mile west), Petworth (1 mile south-east) and Rotherbridge (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include Horsham (14 miles east), Bognor Regis (14 miles south), Chichester (12 miles south-west), Littlehampton (14 miles south), Rustington (14 miles south-east) and Storrington (10 miles south-east).
Well-known places in the area include Midhurst Community Hospital (4.3 miles west) and Coultershaw Heritage Site (2.2 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Graffham Common and Blackdown.
Organising for someone else?
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
Organising a club, school or community event in Upperton? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
- 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