East Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Blacklands, East Sussex
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Blacklands: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Table tapas as a starter
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Engagement drinks
Book tapas catering in Blacklands
Live paella or other catering?
Generic canapés all look the same. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We’ll send you a quote.
What you get with us
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Events in Blacklands and across East Sussex
- No hidden extras in your quote
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Tapas catering in Blacklands, made fresh on the day
We will recommend a tapas selection for your event, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. On the menu are Serrano ham, croquetas and gambas al ajillo, and we’re regularly asked to cater engagement celebrations and welcome-drink canapés.
For a party in a place like Blacklands, a tapas spread is easy and sociable. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
- Area
- Blacklands (TN34, TN37, TN35)
- Area hub
- East Sussex
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Perfect for your event in Blacklands
Big or small, tapas work.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Typical bookings include:
- Cocktail parties
- Launches and office parties
- Sharing tapas starters
- Tapas and paella menus
Historic buildings near Blacklands frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
What your quote should include
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Allergen information for each dish
- A clear list of what’s included
Planning for every diet
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. A few tips:
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Check diets in advance
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Drinks receptions around Blacklands
Blacklands is about 1 mile east of Hastings, in East Sussex. Give us the address of your event in Blacklands, and we’ll plan access and set-up. We cover 289 places across East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Blacklands to Brighton (31 miles away).
For guests coming by train, Ore station is about 0.6 miles away. Parks such as Alexandra Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. With the sea within about a mile, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Tapas catering in TN34, TN37 and TN35 is planned around your venue and your guests. Whether your event is on Laton Road, Manor Road and Park Avenue or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Blacklands sits on or near the A2101, so getting the burners and pans to your event is simple. If your venue is just outside Blacklands, we also cover St Helen's (1 mile north), Hastings (1 mile west), Belmont (1 mile south-east), America Ground (1 mile south) and Hastings Old Town (1 mile south-east). Larger places within reach include Eastbourne (14 miles south-west), Bexhill-on-Sea (5 miles west), Hailsham (14 miles west), Polegate (15 miles west), Old Town (15 miles south-west) and Upper Horsebridge (14 miles west).
Nearby you will also find The True Crime Museum (0.9 miles south) and Priory Meadow Shopping Centre (0.7 miles south). Not far away are Church Wood and Robsack Wood.
- Local schools include William Parker Sports College (0.7 miles north-west) and University School (0.8 miles south)
- Local pubs include Crowleys Bar (0.7 miles south)
What we need at the venue
We will agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Access to unload near the serving area
- A spot for our serving station
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
Menu ideas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
Nearby places to Blacklands
Other catering in Blacklands
How the day 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. At midsummer, it’s light in Blacklands until about 9:15pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:00pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
How to prepare
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
Getting a price
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. When you’re ready, use our quote form.
Related guides
FAQs for Blacklands
Is Blacklands close to London?
About 53 miles from central London, and well within our area.
Could we have live paella in Alexandra Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
Do you cater for young children?
Children are welcome. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we’ll plan for them.
How much paella per person?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.
How long do you need on site?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three is usual: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We’ll suggest a split based on your guests.
Do you do desserts?
We do. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices, or you can serve your own cake.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
What affects the price in Blacklands
The price comes down to a few factors:
- How many courses
- Travel, parking and access
- Whether you need crockery
- How many guests are eating
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Getting an accurate quote
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- The courses you’d like
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Blacklands? Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back with ideas and a quote. To get in touch, send us your details through our quote form.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
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.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
For event organisers in Blacklands
Throwing a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
- 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