East Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Wilmington, East Sussex
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in Wilmington. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Birthday drinks
- Launches and office parties
- Evening grazing
Live tapas catering in Wilmington
Catering for every guest
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Tell us what role tapas play
Canapés go round with the drinks.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Tapas catering in Wilmington, cooked live
Receptions, parties, office events and weddings all suit tapas in and around Wilmington. Typical bookings include launches and office parties and engagement celebrations, serving padrón peppers, croquetas and Serrano ham.
In a rural spot like Wilmington, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We serve straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
- Location
- Wilmington (BN26)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
For event organisers in Wilmington
Throwing a party at home? Send us a photo of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Planning a tapas spread in Wilmington
Wilmington is about 4 miles south-west of Hailsham, in East Sussex. Tell us where your event in Wilmington will be, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up before the day. We cook in 289 places in East Sussex. Our events stretch from Wilmington to Brighton (14 miles away).
After a ceremony at a church such as St Mary and St Peter's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Nearby historic houses include Alfriston Clergy House (1.9 miles south-west) and Michelham Priory (3 miles north). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. The South Downs National Park is within about 2 miles of Wilmington, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 6 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Here we cover the BN26 postcode area. From The Street and Ades Field or a nearby road, we can cook there. Nearby, we also cater events in Milton Street (1 mile south-west), Winton (2 miles west), Arlington (2 miles north), Berwick (2 miles north-west) and Lullington (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Eastbourne (5 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (12 miles east), Seaford (5 miles south-west), Lewes (9 miles north-west), Hailsham (4 miles north-east) and Uckfield (11 miles north).
Well-known places in the area include Agricultural Museum (less than half a mile south) and Burlough Castle (1 mile west). Green spaces nearby include Combe Hill.
- Local pubs include The Sussex Ox pub (0.9 miles south-west)
How it works
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, which we agree with you beforehand. At midsummer, it is light in Wilmington until about 9:15pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
Getting a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
What’s in the pans
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic.
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
What tapas catering costs
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- Distance and access to the venue
- How many guests are eating
- Whether you need crockery
- The paellas you choose
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
What to tell us
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Which courses you have in mind
- Expected numbers
- A picture of where we’d cook
Send us the date, your venue or BN26 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and we’ll reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
Perfect for your event in Wilmington
They make a perfect starter before paella.
If you are planning any of these, we can help:
- Table tapas as a starter
- Birthday drinks
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Drinks reception canapés
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Berwick (Sussex) station, about 1.8 miles north-west.
What your quote should include
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Travel and parking costs
- When final numbers are due
- How bad weather is handled
Nearby places to Wilmington
Other catering in Wilmington
Is live paella right for your event?
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Got a budget? Let us know, and we will suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why choose Love Paella in Wilmington
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Fast service from the pan
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- A clear, itemised quote
Take a look at Our prices page And What paella catering costs.
Wilmington: your questions answered
Is Wilmington close to London?
About 48 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
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.
Is the paella gluten-free?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we take the right care.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Lots. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
Do you provide serving staff?
Staff make canapés work, and we can provide them.
Can you cater for children?
Yes, children are easy to cater for. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we will plan for them.
Can you cook indoors?
Typically we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
How long do you need on site?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
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.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and do not stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
- 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