Brighton and Hove · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Waterhall, Brighton and Hove
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 Waterhall.
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Engagement parties
- Launches and office parties
Tapas catering in Waterhall
Tapas catering for your event in Waterhall
The best spreads mix hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. Whether it’s work receptions and tapas starters, we will put together a menu of tortilla española, patatas bravas and Serrano ham.
Near Waterhall, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, with each paella cooked in its own pan and clearly labelled.
- Area
- Waterhall (BN1)
- Area hub
- Brighton and Hove
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Drinks receptions around Waterhall
Waterhall is about 3 miles north-east of Brighton and Hove, in Brighton and Hove. Tell us where your event in Waterhall will be, and we will plan access and set-up before the day. We cover 30 places in Brighton and Hove, from the larger towns to small villages.
After a ceremony at a church such as All Saints Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Nearby historic houses include Preston Manor & Gardens (2 miles south) and Portslade Manor (3.2 miles south-west). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Waterhall is within about 5 miles of the South Downs National Park, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 4 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Tapas catering in BN1 is planned around your venue and your guests. Nearby, we also cater events in Patcham (1 mile south-east), Westdene (1 mile south), Hollingbury (1 mile south-east), Withdean (1 mile south) and Preston (2 miles south). Further out, we also cater in Brighton (3 miles south-east), Brighton and Hove (3 miles south-west), Hove (3 miles south), Carlton Hill (3 miles south), Hanover (3 miles south-east) and West Hill (3 miles south).
A little further out are British Engineerium (1.9 miles south-west) and Montefiore Hospital (2.7 miles south). The countryside around Waterhall includes Ladies Mile and Wolstonbury Hill.
- Nearby schools include Patcham High School (0.8 miles south-east) and The Dharma Primary School (0.9 miles south-east)
- Local pubs include Miller & Carter pub (within half a mile south-east)
Before you choose a spot
We’ll be honest if a space won’t work. The main points are:
- Parking near the venue
- A spot for our serving station
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
Menu ideas
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. A caterer handles all of that.
Organising for someone else?
Organising a club, school or community event in Waterhall? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce.
Paella compared with other options
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
What you get with us
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- A quote that spells everything out
Read Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
Your questions about tapas catering in Waterhall
We’re having a ceremony at All Saints Church: 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. Tell us where the reception will be.
What about events near the coast?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
How long do you need on site?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
How do you work out quantities?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a sensible margin. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
What areas do you cover?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Waterhall.
Should we have more than one paella?
Usually two or three, so every guest has a choice. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we will suggest the mix.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, it is the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.
Also near Waterhall
What else we do in Waterhall
Step by step
When the rice goes in, it is left alone. That’s what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. Your guests will smell it before they see it. Evening receptions in Waterhall 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.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Getting a price
Send us the date, your venue or BN1 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and we will reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just use our quote form.
Related guides
What affects the price in Waterhall
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Your choice of paellas
- Travel, parking and access
- How many courses
- Timings and hours
There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
What we need to know
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The venue or postcode
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, use our quote form.
Occasions we cook for in Waterhall
They work for any size of event.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Cocktail parties
- Sharing tapas starters
- Engagement parties
- Tapas before paella
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Waterhall, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
What to look for in a quote
- How late numbers can change
- Whether travel is included
- How bad weather is handled
- Who provides the crockery
- 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