West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for Chelwood Gate events
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Chelwood Gate. We cook from scratch on site, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Sharing tapas starters
- Engagement celebrations
- Drinks reception canapés
Tapas catering for Chelwood Gate events
How our tapas catering works in Chelwood Gate
Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. For tapas before paella and evening sharing boards, we’ll put together a menu of Serrano ham, gambas al ajillo and Manchego with membrillo and more.
Near Chelwood Gate, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
- Where
- Chelwood Gate (RH17)
- County
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Questions from Chelwood Gate
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 generally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
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 work to whatever the site needs.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Do you clear up afterwards?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria, yes, plus bar staff for your own drinks.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Plenty are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers. We label each dish.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three covers most guests. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
When should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Why choose live paella in Chelwood Gate?
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas work brilliantly. Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. We itemise everything in your quote.
What you get with us
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- A quote that spells everything out
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
Read Our prices page And The cost guide.
Towns and villages near Chelwood Gate
Other catering in Chelwood Gate
Organising for someone else?
Hosting 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.
If you are planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Why choose tapas catering in Chelwood Gate?
They’re ideal when a full meal doesn’t fit.
In Chelwood Gate and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Popular bookings include:
- Engagement parties
- Tapas and paella menus
- Table tapas as a starter
- Drinks parties and receptions
Nearby historic houses include Priest House (3.8 miles north-west) and Standen (4 miles north-west). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
What your quote should include
- What the price includes, item by item
- The deadline for final numbers
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- Who provides the crockery
Tapas for events in Chelwood Gate
Chelwood Gate is about 6 miles south of East Grinstead, in West Sussex. Whether your event is in the middle of Chelwood Gate or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cover all 371 towns and villages in West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Chelwood Gate to Brighton (about 16 miles away).
After a ceremony at a church such as Chelwood Gate Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. If you are looking at a historic venue around Chelwood Gate, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Chelwood Gate is within about 4 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cater events across RH17. We can cater an event on streets such as Beaconsfield Road, Stone Quarry Road and Isle of Thorns or the roads around them. Nearby, we also cater events in Chelwood Common (1 mile south), Birchgrove (1 mile west), Wych Cross (1 mile north), Danehill (2 miles south-west) and Nutley (2 miles south-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).
Nearby you’ll also find Waterbury Castle (2.6 miles west) and Crowborough War Memorial Hospital (5.9 miles east). Open spaces near Chelwood Gate include Brickfield Meadow.
DIY paella versus live catering
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.
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.
The menu, dish by dish
Tortilla española
Potato omelette served in wedges or squares.
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
Step by step
Service is quick: we serve straight from the pan, so even a long queue moves. When service is finished, we pack down. Sunset in Chelwood Gate is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- 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 clear our equipment afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
Get a quote
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Chelwood Gate? Tell us what you have in mind and we will reply with a menu and a clear price. To get in touch, use our quote form.
Planning help
Catering for every guest
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Book staff to carry canapés round
Canapés circulate with drinks.
Crockery and serving dishes.
What tapas catering costs
There is nothing hidden: the quote reflects:
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- The paellas you choose
- How long we’re needed on site
- Guest numbers
The cost per head usually falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What to tell us
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Try to include:
- The address or venue name
- The date and time of the event
- A picture of the space, if you can
- Any dietary needs and allergies
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you’re ready, 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