West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Colgate, West Sussex
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Colgate. We cook from scratch on site, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Cocktail parties
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Welcome-drink canapés
Tapas catering in Colgate
How our tapas catering works in Colgate
We will recommend a tapas selection for your event, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. Whether it’s drinks parties and receptions and tapas before paella, we can cook gambas al ajillo, Manchego with membrillo and patatas bravas for your guests.
In a rural spot like Colgate, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
- Location
- Colgate (RH13, RH12)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Receptions and parties in Colgate
Colgate is about 3 miles south-west of Crawley, in West Sussex. Across the RH13 area, we can cook for your guests. Colgate is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex where we cook. Our events stretch from Colgate to Brighton (about 18 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Tyes Place (4.5 miles south-east). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. After a ceremony at a church such as St. Saviour's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Here we cover the RH13 and RH12 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. Local streets include Forest Road, Vicarage Close and Blackhouse Road; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. For events just outside Colgate, we cover Kilnwood Vale (1 mile north), Faygate (1 mile north-west), Broadfield (2 miles north-east), Roffey (2 miles west) and Handcross (3 miles south-east). Further out, we also cater in Crawley (3 miles north-east), Horsham (4 miles west), Haywards Heath (9 miles south-east), Burgess Hill (10 miles south-east), East Grinstead (11 miles east) and Storrington (14 miles south-west).
Nearby you will also find Crawley Museum (3.4 miles north-east) and County Mall (3.4 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Tilgate Lake and Warnham LNR.
- Nearby schools include Cottesmore School (1.3 miles east) and Holy Trinity CofE Secondary School (2.2 miles north-east)
- Pubs nearby include The Dragon pub (within half a mile west)
Colgate questions
Is Colgate too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
We are having a ceremony at St. Saviour's Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is typically elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, where your guests can watch.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Of course. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
How much does tapas catering cost in Colgate?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we will send a quote.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Yes. Tapas and canapés can be booked on their own.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, if you need them. Let us know what you have, and we’ll quote for the rest.
How much tapas do we need?
It depends on whether they’re a starter, canapés or the whole meal. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest quantities.
For event organisers in Colgate
If you are planning an event on someone’s behalf, whether you’re a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
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.
Where we can cook in Colgate
Every venue is different, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Room for a tapas table
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Popular choices
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
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. A summer drinks reception in Colgate has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
Getting a price
It is easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Planning help
Places near Colgate
Also in Colgate
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Tapas are flexible, which makes them easy to plan around. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
Why Colgate hosts choose us
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- No hidden extras in your quote
Take a look at How we price Or What paella catering costs.
What affects the price in Colgate
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Timings and hours
- Parking and unloading
- The number of people
- Waiting and bar staff
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.
Getting an accurate quote
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but these help:
- Which courses you have in mind
- The address or venue name
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Anything your venue supplies
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, along with any dietary needs, and you’ll get a menu idea and a price. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning for every diet
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Here’s how:
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Label seafood clearly
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Bar staff and sangria.
A closer look at the menu
Patatas bravas
Always popular.
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
- 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