West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Westhampnett, West Sussex
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Westhampnett: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, right in front of your guests.
- Evening grazing
- Tapas starters
- Welcome-drink canapés
Live tapas catering in Westhampnett
How our tapas catering works in Westhampnett
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 drinks parties and receptions, with tortilla española, Manchego with membrillo and patatas bravas.
For a country party near Westhampnett, tapas and sangria set the mood. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, with each paella cooked in its own pan and clearly labelled.
- Area
- Westhampnett (PO18)
- County
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
How the day works
Serving is fast: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so large groups are fed quickly. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. A summer drinks reception in Westhampnett has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
How to get a price
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll make suggestions. To start, use our quote form.
Planning help
Nearby places to Westhampnett
More for events in Westhampnett
Is live paella right for your event?
Nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What you get with us
- A clear, itemised quote
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Fast service from the pan
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
Read Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
What tapas catering costs
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- How long we’re needed on site
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Travel, parking and access
- Starters, canapés and desserts
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Details that help
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Try to include:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
Send us the date, your venue or PO18 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and we will reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. To get started, fill in our quote form.
Before you choose a spot
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We need:
- Access to unload near the serving area
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Space on each table
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
On the menu in Westhampnett
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
What’s in the pans
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite when made carefully.
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns with a little chilli.
Questions from Westhampnett
What about events near the coast?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
We’re having a ceremony at The Parish Church of St Peter: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, it is the classic pairing. Tapas first, paella to follow.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three covers most guests. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we will suggest the mix.
What happens if it rains?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We’ll talk it through before the day.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Many tapas are naturally vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers. Each dish is labelled.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes. We arrive with everything we need and cook it there and then, then serve straight from the pan.
Diets, allergies and planning
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Add sangria or cava
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Bar staff and sangria.
DIY paella versus live catering
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. A caterer handles all of that.
Working with your venue
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
Planning a tapas spread in Westhampnett
Westhampnett is about 1 mile north-east of Chichester, in West Sussex. Events in Westhampnett are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. We cater in all 371 towns and villages across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Brighton, about 27 miles away.
Historic houses near Westhampnett include Goodwood House (1.6 miles north) and West Dean House (4.1 miles north). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Chichester station, about 1.7 miles south-west. The coast is within about 6 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Anywhere in PO18, we can cook for your guests. We can cater an event on streets such as Hill Road, Sears Close and Hamilton Way. Other places close to Westhampnett for tapas catering include Maudlin (1 mile east), Shopwyke (1 mile south-east), Westerton (1 mile north-east), Portfield (1 mile south-west) and Strettington (1 mile north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Bognor Regis (5 miles south-east), Selsey (8 miles south), Littlehampton (10 miles east), Emsworth (8 miles west), Rustington (11 miles east) and Storrington (14 miles east).
A little further out are Chichester Castle (1.2 miles south-west) and Chichester Centre (0.8 miles west). The countryside around Westhampnett includes Stoke Down and Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve.
- Schools near Westhampnett include Westbourne House School (0.7 miles south-east) and Chichester High School For Girls (1.6 miles south-west)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Coach And Horses Public House (0.5 miles east)
- 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