West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Chelwood Common, West Sussex
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Chelwood Common and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Cocktail parties
- Tapas starters
Planning an event in Chelwood Common?
Receptions and parties in Chelwood Common
Chelwood Common is about 6 miles north-east of Haywards Heath, in West Sussex. For an event in Chelwood Common, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices in and around Chelwood Common. We cater in all 371 towns and villages in West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Chelwood Common to Brighton (about 16 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Priest House (3.9 miles north-west) and Standen (4.5 miles north). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. After a ceremony at a church such as Chelwood Gate Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Chelwood Common is within about 4 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Tapas catering in RH17 is planned around your venue. From Baxters Lane, Tanyard Lane and Box's Lane or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. For events just outside Chelwood Common, we cover Chelwood Gate (1 mile north), Danehill (1 mile south-west), Birchgrove (1 mile north-west), Furner's Green (2 miles south) and Nutley (2 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (10 miles north-west), Horsham (15 miles west), Haywards Heath (6 miles south-west), Burgess Hill (9 miles south-west), East Grinstead (6 miles north) and Broadfield (10 miles west).
Well-known places in the area include Waterbury Castle (2.3 miles west) and Heaven Farm Museum (1.6 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Brickfield Meadow.
Tapas catering in Chelwood Common, made fresh on the day
Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. We’re frequently asked to cater sharing tapas starters and canapés with welcome drinks, serving tortilla española, patatas bravas and albóndigas.
For a country party near Chelwood Common, tapas and sangria set the mood. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, with each paella cooked in its own pan.
- Where
- Chelwood Common (RH17)
- County
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Occasions we cook for in Chelwood Common
They cover lots of tastes and diets in one spread.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Work receptions
- Tapas starters
- Tapas before paella
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Chelwood Common, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Before you book anyone
- The venue requirements
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Travel and parking costs
Catering for every guest
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because every paella has its own pan. A few tips:
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
Places near Chelwood Common
More for events in Chelwood Common
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
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. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
What happens on the day
A typical event goes like this: we arrive, set up and start cooking, your guests watch the rice cook, and we serve straight from the pan when you’re ready to eat. A summer drinks reception in Chelwood Common has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
Get a quote
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Organising for someone else?
Hosting a party at home? Send us a photo of the garden and tell us about access, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll talk you through the process. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Common questions in Chelwood Common
Do you cater in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll follow the site rules.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Chelwood Gate Church?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
How much does tapas catering cost in Chelwood Common?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
What do you need at the venue?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
When should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we take the right care.
Do you supply canapé staff?
Canapés work best with staff serving, which we can supply.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Absolutely.
Planning the cooking area
If a space is not suitable, we’ll tell you. The main points are:
- Unloading access
- Permission from the venue
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think.
What we offer
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
How we price tapas catering
There is nothing hidden: the quote reflects:
- Timings and hours
- Waiting and bar staff
- Parking and unloading
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
What we need to know
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- What the venue already provides
- Where the event is
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Paella compared with other options
Generic canapés all look the same. Tapas bring something different. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why book with us
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Catering across West Sussex, including Chelwood Common
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- 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