East Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for Budlett's Common events
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Budlett's Common and across East Sussex.
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Engagement celebrations
Tapas catering near Budlett's Common
Should I cook it myself?
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.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. 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.
Tapas catering in Budlett's Common, made fresh on the day
Tapas pair naturally with a live paella, served while the paella cooks, but they’re great on their own. We cook Manchego with membrillo, albóndigas and tortilla española, and we are regularly asked to cater tapas starters and launches and office parties.
Near Budlett's Common, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, with each paella cooked in its own pan.
- Where
- Budlett's Common (TN22)
- County
- East Sussex
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning the cooking area
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- Space on each table
- Room for a tapas table
- Parking near the venue
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before you book.
What we offer
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
Common questions in Budlett's Common
Can you cook at venues in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
What’s the nearest station to Budlett's Common for guests?
The closest is Uckfield station, roughly 1.5 miles away.
How do you work out quantities?
It depends on whether they’re a starter, canapés or the whole meal. We will suggest quantities for your event.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, in front of your guests.
How long do you need on site?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance so the paella is ready when you want it.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
Do you cook tapas on site?
We finish hot dishes on site; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
How soon do we need to book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it is short notice, it’s worth asking.
Catering for every guest
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Label seafood clearly
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Table tapas are set down to share.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Live paella or other catering?
Tapas are flexible, so they fit most plans. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
What you get with us
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Catering across East Sussex, including Budlett's Common
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
Take a look at How we price Or What paella catering costs.
Receptions and parties in Budlett's Common
Budlett's Common is about 1 mile north of Uckfield, in East Sussex. We bring tapas catering to homes, gardens and venues in Budlett's Common and the surrounding area. We cater in all 289 towns and villages in East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 15 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as Five Ash Down Independent Chapel, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Uckfield station, about 1.5 miles south. Budlett's Common is within about 8 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Here we cover the TN22 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. We also cook at events in Maresfield (1 mile north-west), Down Street (2 miles west), Ridgewood (2 miles south), Little Horsted (3 miles south) and Founthill (4 miles south-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Seaford (15 miles south), Lewes (9 miles south-west), Hailsham (11 miles south-east), Crowborough (5 miles north-east), Newhaven (14 miles south) and Peacehaven (14 miles south).
Other landmarks nearby include Tickerage Castle (2.7 miles south-east) and Uckfield Community Hospital (1.7 miles south). The countryside around Budlett's Common includes Brickfield Meadow.
- Local schools include Uckfield College (1.1 miles south)
- Pubs nearby include Ringles Cross pub (0.5 miles south-east)
Prices and what affects them
These are the factors that matter most:
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Guest numbers
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Travel, parking and access
Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so your choice of paellas affects the total. Tell us your budget and we will suggest a menu.
What we need to know
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- The courses you’d like
- Anything your venue supplies
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- The address or venue name
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
How the day works
Service is quick: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so even a long queue moves. When service is finished, we pack down. Evening receptions in Budlett's Common stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:15pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Preparing for the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Plan cover in case of rain
How to get a price
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Budlett's Common? Send us the details and we will reply with a menu and a clear price. To contact us, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Nearby places to Budlett's Common
What else we do in Budlett's Common
For planners, venues and organisers
If you are organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Events we cater in Budlett's Common
Big or small, tapas work.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Cocktail parties
- Tapas starters
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Parks such as West Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
What your quote should include
- Space, access and power needs
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- The wet-weather plan
- The deadline for final numbers
- 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