East Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for Whatlington events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Whatlington: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Engagement drinks
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Anniversary parties
Book tapas catering in Whatlington
Receptions and parties in Whatlington
Whatlington is about 6 miles north-west of Hastings, in East Sussex. From the centre of Whatlington to the outskirts, we offer the same service: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cater in 289 places across East Sussex. Our nearest city page is Brighton, about 29 miles away.
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Whatlington, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. For guests coming by train, Battle station is about 1.9 miles away. The High Weald National Landscape is within about 7 miles of Whatlington, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Wherever your event is in TN33, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Sedlescombe (1 mile east), Swaile's Green (2 miles north-east), Cripp's Corner (2 miles north-east), Telham (2 miles south) and Kent Street (2 miles south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Eastbourne (14 miles south-west), Hastings (6 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (7 miles south), Hailsham (12 miles south-west), St Leonards (6 miles south) and Polegate (14 miles south-west).
Nearby you’ll also find Conquest Hospital (4.6 miles south-east) and Battle Museum of Local History (1.9 miles south-west). Open spaces near Whatlington include Church Wood and Robsack Wood and Senlac Hill.
- Local schools include Claverham Community College (2.4 miles south-west)
- Pubs nearby include The Royal Oak Inn (less than half a mile north)
Tapas catering in Whatlington, cooked live
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. Typical bookings include tapas with a paella main course and tapas starters, with patatas bravas, Manchego with membrillo and tortilla española.
Near Whatlington, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. You’ll know exactly what’s included before booking: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
- Area
- Whatlington (TN33)
- Area hub
- East Sussex
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Prices and what affects them
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- The paellas you choose
- The length of service
- The number of people
Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We will send you a quote.
What we need to know
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Expected numbers
- A picture of where we’d cook
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Standard canapés can feel samey. Tapas bring something different. The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why choose Love Paella in Whatlington
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- A clear, itemised quote
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
See How we price And What paella catering costs.
Perfect for your event in Whatlington
They’re easy to eat with a drink in hand.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In Whatlington, people book us for events such as:
- Sharing tapas starters
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Receptions and drinks parties
Nearby historic houses include Durhamford Manor (0.6 miles east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
Comparing caterers
- The venue requirements
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- What happens if it rains
- When final numbers are due
Common questions in Whatlington
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Mary Magdalene's Church?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Which station should guests use for Whatlington?
Battle station, about 1.9 miles south of the centre.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Plenty are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers. Each dish is labelled.
Can we add drinks?
Sangria and bar staff can be added.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices, or you can serve your own cake.
Who clears up?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
Do you cater in Whatlington?
Yes. We cover London and the South East, including Whatlington. For a quote, use our quote form.
Will there be enough food?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.
Towns and villages near Whatlington
More for events in Whatlington
Dietary needs and planning tips
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Add sangria or cava
Table tapas are set down to share.
Staff to serve canapés.
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
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.
What we need at the venue
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but a few things matter:
- Room for a tapas table
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
What we offer
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
The process
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you can enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first as the rice is cooking. A summer drinks reception in Whatlington has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:00pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- 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
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
Get a quote
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, plus any dietary needs, and you’ll get a menu idea and a price. To get started, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
- 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