West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in West Ashling, West Sussex
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in West Ashling.
- Work receptions
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Tapas with a paella main course
Planning an event in West Ashling?
Step by step
It’s a relaxed, well-organised set-up. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up our cooking area, and cook and serve without fuss. Evening receptions in West Ashling 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 choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
Getting ready for the day
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
Getting a price
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we will make suggestions. Start when you’re ready: use our quote form.
Read more
About our tapas catering in West Ashling
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. We cook gambas al ajillo, patatas bravas and croquetas, and we are regularly asked to cater tapas before paella and drinks reception canapés.
In a rural spot like West Ashling, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, never made in advance and reheated, and served as soon as it is ready.
- Where
- West Ashling (PO18)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Nearby places to West Ashling
Also in West Ashling
Where we can cook in West Ashling
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- A spot for our serving station
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
What we offer
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
FAQs for West Ashling
What’s the nearest station to West Ashling for guests?
The closest is Bosham station, roughly 1.2 miles away.
Do you come out to small places like West Ashling?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
How many different paellas?
Two or three covers most guests. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we’ll suggest the mix.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
Do you take everything away?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
Can you cook in the rain?
We cook under cover, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We plan for rain with you in advance.
How many tapas per person?
That depends on their role in the meal. Tell us about the event and we will suggest quantities.
What space do you need to cook?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
Drinks receptions around West Ashling
West Ashling is about 3 miles north-west of Chichester, in West Sussex. Across the PO18 area, we can cook for your guests. West Ashling is one of 371 places in West Sussex where we cook. We cook right across the region, from West Ashling to Southampton (24 miles away).
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Bosham station, about 1.2 miles south. Historic buildings near West Ashling frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. The South Downs National Park is within about 8 miles of West Ashling, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Wherever your event is in PO18, we can bring tapas catering to you. That could mean an event in a garden on Heather Close, Ashling Close and Portal Close or the roads around them. Other places close to West Ashling for tapas catering include East Ashling (1 mile east), Funtington (1 mile north-west), Broadbridge (1 mile south), Hambrook (1 mile west) and West Stoke (1 mile north-east). Further out, we also cater in Bognor Regis (9 miles south-east), Chichester (3 miles south-east), Selsey (9 miles south), Littlehampton (14 miles east), Emsworth (4 miles west) and Rustington (15 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Chichester Centre (3.6 miles east) and Chichester Castle (3.5 miles south-east). The countryside around West Ashling includes Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve and Stoke Down.
- Pubs nearby include The Horse And Groom Public House (0.7 miles north-east)
Catering for every guest
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Include staff for canapés
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
Canapés go round with the drinks as guests arrive.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
What affects the price in West Ashling
Every event is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- Your choice of paellas
- How many courses
- Distance and access to the venue
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Details that help
To check availability and price, we need:
- Which courses you have in mind
- The address or venue name
- Roughly how many adults and children
- What the venue already provides
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in West Ashling? Send us the details and we will reply with a menu and a clear price. To contact us, fill in our quote form.
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. Ask us for a quote and compare.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel special. The cost per head typically falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
What you get with us
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
Take a look at Our prices page Or Our guide to catering costs.
Who books tapas catering in West Ashling?
They’re the classic starter before paella.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In West Ashling, people book us for events such as:
- Engagement parties
- Office parties and launches
- Evening grazing
- Sharing tapas starters
Historic houses near West Ashling include West Dean House (4.6 miles north-east) and Goodwood House (4.8 miles east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Before booking anyone
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- How long the team stays
- Payment terms and deposit
- What the price includes, item by item
A closer look at the menu
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
- 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