West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Balls Cross
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Balls Cross: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Table tapas as a starter
Planning an event in Balls Cross?
How it works
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Guests usually gather round to watch as the paella takes shape. Evening receptions in Balls Cross stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
Getting a price
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we will make suggestions. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
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Tapas catering for your event in Balls Cross
The best spreads mix hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. Typical bookings include birthday drinks and tapas starters, serving albóndigas, gambas al ajillo and padrón peppers.
In a rural spot like Balls Cross, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, with each paella cooked in its own pan.
- Location
- Balls Cross (GU28)
- County
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Who books tapas catering in Balls Cross?
They’re ideal when a full meal doesn’t fit.
Whatever you’re celebrating in Balls Cross, live paella can be the centrepiece. We frequently cook for:
- Cocktail parties
- Engagement parties
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Holy Trinity Church.
Questions to ask before you book
- How long the team stays
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- Travel and parking costs
- When final numbers are due
Balls Cross: your questions answered
We are having a ceremony at Holy Trinity Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is typically elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Is Balls Cross close to London?
About 39 miles from central London, and well within our area.
How much is live paella catering?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
Do you cover Balls Cross?
Yes. We cover London and the South East, including Balls Cross. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes, and meat eaters often go back for seconds. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
When do you arrive?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Can we add drinks?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you are providing the drinks.
Can you cook indoors?
Usually we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, because we use gas burners. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, so they fit most plans. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we will suggest a menu.
Why choose Love Paella in Balls Cross
- Sangria and bar staff available
- We cover Balls Cross and the whole of West Sussex
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
Nearby places to Balls Cross
Also in Balls Cross
Space, weather and the venue
We’ll be honest if a space won’t work, and suggest an alternative. The main points are:
- Parking near the venue
- Room for a tapas table
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before booking.
On the menu in Balls Cross
- Olives & bread
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
Planning for every diet
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Label seafood clearly
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
Canapés go round with the drinks.
Serving boards and crockery.
What’s in the pans
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce, frequently with alioli.
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat.
Receptions and parties in Balls Cross
Balls Cross is about 12 miles west of Horsham, in West Sussex. From the centre of Balls Cross to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cook in all 371 towns and villages across West Sussex. We cook right across the region, from Balls Cross to Guildford (about 15 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Petworth House (2.9 miles south). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Historic buildings near Balls Cross often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. The South Downs National Park is within about 7 miles of Balls Cross, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Here we cover the GU28 postcode area. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Kirdford (2 miles east), Mackerel's Common (2 miles north-east), Plaistow (3 miles north-east), Ifold (4 miles north-east) and Wisborough Green (4 miles east). Larger places within reach include Horsham (12 miles east), Chichester (15 miles south-west), Littlehampton (15 miles south), Rustington (15 miles south), Storrington (10 miles south-east) and Billingshurst (6 miles east).
A little further out are Lodsworth Castle (4.7 miles south-west). The countryside around Balls Cross includes The Mens and Shillinglee Lake.
Should I cook it myself?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
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.
How we price tapas catering
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Parking and unloading
- The number of people
- The paellas you choose
- Timings and hours
Got a budget? Let us know, and we will put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Getting an accurate quote
These details help us quote quickly:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- What the venue already provides
- Where the event is
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Balls Cross? Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back with ideas and a quote. To get in touch, 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