West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in West Dean, West Sussex
Planning tapas catering in West Dean? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Engagement celebrations
- Cocktail parties
- Anniversary parties
Tapas catering in West Dean
Tapas catering in West Dean, made fresh on the day
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, as a starter while the rice cooks, but they work on their own too. On the menu are Serrano ham, tortilla española and padrón peppers, and we’re often booked for welcome-drink canapés and tapas and paella menus.
Near West Dean, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: the menu, the staff and any extras, with no surprises on the day.
- Area
- West Dean (PO18)
- County
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Occasions we cook for in West Dean
They work for any size of event.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Anniversary parties
- Engagement parties
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Launches and office parties
After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of St Andrew, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Before you book anyone
- Payment terms and deposit
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- VAT, if it applies
- Who provides the crockery
Planning the cooking area
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Space to finish hot dishes
- A spot for our serving station
- Access to unload near the serving area
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before you book.
What we offer
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Tortilla española
Step by step
The cooking is part of the entertainment. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring while your guests chat. Sunset in West Dean is around 9:20pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
Ask for a quote
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, use our quote form.
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Planning a tapas spread in West Dean
West Dean is about 4 miles north of Chichester, in West Sussex. Give us the address of your event in West Dean, and we will plan the journey and set-up before the day. West Dean is one of 371 places in West Sussex where we cook. We cook right across the region, from West Dean to Guildford (about 25 miles away).
Guests travelling by rail: Fishbourne station is about 4.8 miles away. Historic houses near West Dean include West Dean House (within half a mile north-east) and Goodwood House (2.9 miles south-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. The South Downs National Park is within about 6 miles of West Dean, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cover events in every part of PO18 and the streets around it. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Singleton (1 mile east), Charlton (2 miles east), East Dean (3 miles east), Cocking (3 miles north) and Bepton (4 miles north). Further out, we also cater in Bognor Regis (9 miles south-east), Chichester (4 miles south), Selsey (12 miles south), Littlehampton (13 miles south-east), Emsworth (8 miles south-west) and Rustington (13 miles south-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Chichester Castle (4.5 miles south) and Museum of Gardening (within half a mile north-east). Not far away are Levin Down and Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve.
Dietary needs and planning tips
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Label seafood clearly
- Ask for labels on each dish
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
Common questions in West Dean
How far is West Dean from London?
Roughly 51 miles from the centre of London.
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 will follow the site rules.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and meat eaters frequently go back for seconds. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue.
How much paella per person?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Yes, tapas work on their own, for receptions, parties and evening food.
What happens if it rains?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We will talk it through before the day.
Do you provide drinks?
We can make sangria, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
Dishes our guests love
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free when made carefully.
Paella compared with other options
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas are hard to beat. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why West Dean hosts choose us
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Live cooking, not reheated food
Other catering in West Dean
Organising for someone else?
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in West Dean? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
DIY paella versus live catering
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
- 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