West Sussex · England
Festival & event paella in Tilgate, West Sussex
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Tilgate. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- County and country shows
- Food and music festivals
- Sports clubs and race days
Festival paella catering in Tilgate
Tilgate events: pitches and permissions
Tilgate is about 1 mile south-east of Crawley, in West Sussex. Whether your event is in the middle of Tilgate or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Tilgate is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex we cover. We cook right across the region, from Tilgate to Brighton (19 miles away).
School fairs, for a school like The Oaks Primary School & Nursery, are a natural fit for a paella stall. Running a fête for a church like Holy Trinity? A paella pan draws people in.
Here we cover the RH10 and RH11 postcode area, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. That could mean an event in a garden on York Road, Nash Road and Cook Road. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Southgate (1 mile west), Crawley (1 mile north-west), Three Bridges (1 mile north-east), Maidenbower (1 mile east) and West Green (1 mile north-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Horsham (7 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (8 miles south-east), Burgess Hill (10 miles south), East Grinstead (7 miles east), Billingshurst (13 miles south-west) and Roffey (6 miles west).
Other landmarks nearby include County Mall (0.7 miles north-west) and Crawley Hospital (1.2 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Tilgate Lake.
- Local schools include Three Bridges Junior School (0.5 miles north-west) and Thomas Bennett Community College (0.6 miles south-west)
- Pubs nearby include The Grasshopper pub (within half a mile south)
How our festival paella catering works in Tilgate
Festivals, fairs, markets and community events are all on our list. Whether it’s agricultural and county shows and seasonal markets, we can cook vegan paella, giant-pan paella and chicken and chorizo paella.
Around Tilgate, a fête or summer fair suits a huge paella pan. Tell us about the pitch, ground and access. Timings are planned around your event, so the paella is ready when you want to eat.
- Where
- Tilgate (RH10, RH11)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Events we cater in Tilgate
Crew love a hot meal.
In Tilgate and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Popular bookings include:
- Farmers’ and Christmas markets
- Agricultural and county shows
- VIP and hospitality areas
- School and charity events
For visitors coming by rail, Crawley station is about 0.6 miles away.
Before booking anyone
- How late numbers can change
- Whether VAT is included
- How bad weather is handled
- A clear list of what’s included
Is live paella right for your event?
Burger and hot dog stalls are familiar but similar. A paella pan stands out in a food line-up. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What you get with us
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Fast service from the pan
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Events in Tilgate and across West Sussex
Read Our pricing Or Our guide to catering costs.
For planners, venues and organisers
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
If you are organising for someone else, whether you are a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we’ll work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Check traders’ packaging and waste plans
- Check allergen info is on display
- Ask traders about serving speed at peak times
- Send traders one clear trader pack
Pans cook in full view, and serve from the pan throughout the event.
Vegan paella alongside the rest.
The menu, dish by dish
Vegan paella
Vegans get a hot, filling dish.
Seafood paella
Prawns, mussels and squid for fish lovers.
Tilgate: your questions answered
Can you cook in Tilgate Park?
Only if the landowner, usually the council, allows it. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
Is Tilgate close to London?
About 28 miles from central London, and well within our area.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes. Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana.
How do you work out quantities?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
How much does festival paella catering cost in Tilgate?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
Can you cater for crew and volunteers?
Yes, at set times to suit your schedule. Tell us numbers and timings.
Do you come to Tilgate?
We do. We cook at events in Tilgate and across West Sussex. Tell us your date and we will check availability.
Also near Tilgate
Other catering in Tilgate
Planning the cooking area
We will be honest if a space won’t work. What matters most:
- The event’s site rules and timings
- Firm, level ground
- Vehicle access before and after the event
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Popular choices
- Giant paella pans
- Seafood paella
- Tapas
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Churros
- Vegan paella
How it works
When the rice goes in, it is left alone. That is what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. The smell generally draws people over. Evening events in Tilgate have light until about 9:20pm at midsummer; after that, the pitch needs good lighting.
- Tell us about the event, the crowd and the pitch.
- You get our stall menu and what we need on site.
- We send the documents the event asks for.
- On the day, the pans are on before the busiest hours.
- At close, we pack down and tidy up.
Getting ready for the day
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Let us know the timings for the day
How to get a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. When you are ready, send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
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.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
- 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