West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Ardingly, West Sussex
Something for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Ardingly.
- Evening sharing boards
- Cocktail parties
- Work receptions
Live tapas catering in Ardingly
Tapas catering in Ardingly, made fresh on the day
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. Canapés go round while guests mingle, or table tapas go out to share. Typical bookings include welcome-drink canapés and sharing tapas starters, with padrón peppers, patatas bravas and croquetas.
Near Ardingly, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
- Location
- Ardingly (RH17)
- County
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Ardingly: venues and local tips
Ardingly is about 3 miles north of Haywards Heath, in West Sussex. Anywhere in RH17, we will come to your venue or garden. We cater in all 371 towns and villages in West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 15 miles away.
Historic houses near Ardingly include Priest House (2.2 miles north-east) and Gravetye Manor (3.1 miles north). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. For guests coming by train, Balcombe station is about 2.5 miles away. The High Weald National Landscape is within about 7 miles of Ardingly, ideal for an outdoor reception.
We cover events in every part of RH17. Local streets include High Street, Munnion Road and Price Way; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. For events just outside Ardingly, we cover Little London (1 mile north), Highbrook (1 mile north-east), Lindfield (2 miles south), Horsted Keynes (2 miles east) and West Hoathly (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cater in Crawley (6 miles north-west), Horsham (10 miles west), Haywards Heath (3 miles south), Burgess Hill (7 miles south), East Grinstead (6 miles north-east) and Broadfield (6 miles north-west).
A little further out are Waterbury Castle (2 miles east) and Princess Royal Hospital (3.9 miles south). Open spaces near Ardingly include Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow.
- Pubs nearby include The Ardingly Inn (under half a mile north-east)
Your questions about tapas catering in Ardingly
Is Ardingly close to London?
Roughly 31 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Do you cater in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will follow the site rules.
How much does tapas catering cost in Ardingly?
We quote for each event, based on what you actually want. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas for a clear quote.
Where do you cater?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Is the paella cooked on site?
It is. We arrive with everything we need and cook it there and then, serving it hot from the pan.
What if the weather’s bad?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Of course. Tapas can be booked without paella.
Can you cater for children?
Yes. Children frequently love a simple chicken paella. Tell us how many are coming.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Where we can cook in Ardingly
Every venue is different, so we ask about the space before we confirm. Generally, we look for:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- A spot for our serving station
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
Menu ideas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
Occasions we cook for in Ardingly
Big or small, tapas work.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Birthday drinks
- Drinks reception canapés
- Office parties and launches
Historic buildings near Ardingly often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue.
Before booking anyone
- Allergen information for each dish
- Space, access and power needs
- How bad weather is handled
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
A closer look at the menu
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Patatas bravas
Always popular and normally vegetarian.
How it works
When the rice goes in, it is left alone. That is how the grains cook evenly and the toasted base, the socarrat, forms. The smell usually draws people over. Sunset in Ardingly is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
How to prepare
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
Getting a price
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will send a clear, itemised quote.
Related guides
Live paella or other catering?
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. Live paella pricing depends on the event. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
Why us?
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
See How we price And What paella catering costs.
Nearby places to Ardingly
More for events in Ardingly
Planning for every diet
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. Our advice:
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Check diets in advance
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Spanish desserts to finish.
What affects the price in Ardingly
There’s nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- Your choice of paellas
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- The length of service
- How many staff you need
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Getting an accurate quote
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The courses you’d like
- A picture of where we’d cook
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Ardingly? Send us the details and we will come back with ideas and a quote. Just use our quote form.
- 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