West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for Blackstone events
Planning tapas catering in Blackstone? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Tapas starters
- Engagement drinks
- Tapas and paella menus
Planning an event in Blackstone?
Why live cooking beats a buffet
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
What you get with us
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Events in Blackstone and across West Sussex
Take a look at How we price Or What paella catering costs.
Tapas catering in Blackstone, cooked live
We finish hot tapas on site, so they’re served at their best. Popular choices include Manchego with membrillo, albóndigas and croquetas, and typical bookings are for tapas starters and tapas before paella.
Near Blackstone, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
- Area
- Blackstone (BN5)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
What’s in the pans
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic.
Step by step
Once the rice is in, we do not stir it. That’s what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. Your guests will smell it before they see it. Evening receptions in Blackstone 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.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
Ask for a quote
Send us the date, your venue or BN5 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and you’ll get a menu idea and a price. To get started, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Planning for every diet
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Check diets in advance
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Sangria and bar staff.
Drinks receptions around Blackstone
Blackstone is about 5 miles west of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. Tell us where your event in Blackstone will be, and we will plan access and set-up before the day. We cook in 371 places in West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Blackstone to Brighton (about 8 miles away).
After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of St Bartholomew, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Historic buildings near Blackstone frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. Blackstone is within about 6 miles of the South Downs National Park, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Tapas catering in BN5 is planned around your venue and your guests. Your event could be at a home on Blackstone Lane and Blackstone Street. Close by, we cover events in Woodmancote (1 mile south-west), High Cross (1 mile north-east), Albourne (1 mile east), Albourne Street (1 mile east) and Albourne Green (1 mile east). Further out, we also cater in Crawley (13 miles north), Horsham (10 miles north), Worthing (10 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (8 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (5 miles east) and Littlehampton (15 miles south-west).
Other landmarks nearby include The Dene Hospital (3.8 miles north-east) and The Budding Foundation Museum of Gardening (3.6 miles east). Not far away are Woods Mill and Wolstonbury Hill.
Space, weather and the venue
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We need:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Unloading access
- Space for a serving table or station
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think before you book.
What we offer
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
Occasions we cook for in Blackstone
They’re the classic starter before paella.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In Blackstone, people book us for events such as:
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Drinks reception canapés
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Engagement celebrations
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Hassocks station, about 3.9 miles east.
What to look for in a quote
- VAT, if it applies
- Who provides the crockery
- How late numbers can change
- Travel and parking costs
Also near Blackstone
Other catering in Blackstone
FAQs for Blackstone
Can you cater a reception after a service at The Parish Church of St Bartholomew?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Is Blackstone close to London?
Roughly 40 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Can you serve drinks?
Sangria, yes. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Do you take everything away?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue so they’re served at their best.
Can we add drinks?
We can add sangria and bar staff.
Can you cook halal paella?
We can. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and we will cook a separate pan.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Yes. Tapas and canapés can be booked on their own.
What affects the price in Blackstone
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- The number of people
- How many courses
- Travel, parking and access
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
What to tell us
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- The date and rough timings
- Anything your venue supplies
- The address or venue name
- A photo of the space, if you can
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, 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