West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Colwood
Something for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Colwood.
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Table tapas as a starter
- Engagement parties
Book tapas catering in Colwood
DIY paella versus live catering
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
How our tapas catering works in Colwood
We finish hot tapas on site, so they’re served at their best. We are frequently asked to cater evening grazing and welcome-drink canapés, with Manchego with membrillo, Serrano ham and padrón peppers.
For a country party near Colwood, tapas and sangria set the mood. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
- Where
- Colwood (RH17)
- County
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Nearby places to Colwood
Other catering in Colwood
The process
Serving is fast: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so even a long queue moves. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. Evening receptions in Colwood stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
How to prepare
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
How to get a price
Send us the date, your venue or RH17 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and you’ll get a menu idea and a price. Just fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Paella compared with other options
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel special. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Why choose Love Paella in Colwood
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Sangria and bar staff available
- A clear, itemised quote
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
FAQs for Colwood
How far is Colwood from London?
About 35 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Is Colwood 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.
Can you bring crockery?
If you need them, yes. Proper crockery or quality disposables are available.
Are the tapas fresh?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away; cold tapas are laid out as guests arrive.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, in front of your guests.
How much is live paella catering?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, because we use gas burners. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
How soon do we need to book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Before you choose a spot
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Space on each table
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think before you book.
What we offer
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
For event organisers in Colwood
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Who books tapas catering in Colwood?
They’re ideal when a full meal doesn’t fit.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Anniversary parties
- Table tapas as a starter
- Launches and office parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
Nearby historic houses include Tyes Place (3.4 miles north-east) and Ockenden Manor (3.6 miles east). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Comparing caterers
- When final numbers are due
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- The deposit and payment dates
Drinks receptions around Colwood
Colwood is about 5 miles north-west of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. Give us the address of your event in Colwood, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up. We cook in all 371 towns and villages across West Sussex. We cook right across the region, from Colwood to Brighton (about 13 miles away).
A picnic in Leonardslee? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering. If you are looking at a historic venue around Colwood, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. The South Downs National Park is within about 8 miles of Colwood, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Here we cover the RH17 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. Local streets include Earwig Lane and Cross Colwood Lane; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Close by, we cover events in Crabtree (1 mile north-west), Lower Beeding (2 miles north-west), Slaugham (3 miles north), Plummers Plain (3 miles north) and Monk's Gate (3 miles north-west). Further out, we also cater in Crawley (8 miles north), Horsham (6 miles north-west), Worthing (15 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (6 miles east), Burgess Hill (5 miles south-east) and East Grinstead (13 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include The Dene Hospital (3.8 miles south-east) and Cuckfield Museum (3.7 miles east). Not far away are Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow.
Dishes our guests love
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free when made carefully.
Prices and what affects them
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- The number of people
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- The paellas you choose
- Travel, parking and access
The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Details that help
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- The address or venue name
- The courses you’d like
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
- 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