West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for Crabtree events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Crabtree: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Office parties and launches
- Engagement celebrations
Tapas catering in Crabtree
How our tapas catering works in Crabtree
Tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties, office events and weddings. Popular choices include gambas al ajillo, tortilla española and Serrano ham, and we’re regularly asked to cater birthday and anniversary parties and work receptions.
In a rural spot like Crabtree, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
- Where
- Crabtree (RH13)
- County
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
A closer look at the menu
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, often with alioli.
Towns and villages near Crabtree
More for events in Crabtree
FAQs for Crabtree
Do you come out to small places like Crabtree?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Which station should guests use for Crabtree?
The closest is Horsham station, roughly 4.6 miles away.
Can you bring crockery?
We can. Let us know what you have, and we’ll quote for the rest.
Do you do desserts?
Yes. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
Is the paella cooked on site?
It is. We arrive with everything we need and cook it there and then, then serve straight from the pan.
Can you do sangria?
We can add sangria and bar staff.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities around your timings and courses. Tell us more and we will advise.
Are the tapas served hot?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue so they’re served at their best.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
Table tapas are set down to share at the start of the meal.
Bar staff and sangria.
Before you choose a spot
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Access to unload near the serving area
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before you book.
What we offer
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
Receptions and parties in Crabtree
Crabtree is about 5 miles south-east of Horsham, in West Sussex. For tapas catering in Crabtree, we plan around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. We cover 371 places across West Sussex. Our events stretch from Crabtree to Brighton (14 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Tyes Place (4.3 miles north-east) and Ockenden Manor (4.9 miles east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Old Church House the Glebe.
Tapas catering in RH13 is planned around your venue and your guests. Streets in the area include Mill Lane, Peppersgate and Long Hill, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Other places close to Crabtree for tapas catering include Lower Beeding (1 mile north), Colwood (1 mile south-east), Monk's Gate (2 miles north-west), Plummers Plain (2 miles north-east) and Mannings Heath (2 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Crawley (7 miles north-east), Horsham (5 miles north-west), Worthing (14 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (7 miles east), Burgess Hill (7 miles south-east) and East Grinstead (13 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Horsham Hospital (4.9 miles north-west). Not far away are Knepp Wildland.
Occasions we cook for in Crabtree
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We often cook for:
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Tapas and paella menus
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Sharing boards for evening guests
Guests travelling by rail: Horsham station is about 4.6 miles away.
What your quote should include
- What happens if it rains
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- Payment terms and deposit
Live paella or other catering?
For food that gets people mingling, tapas are hard to beat. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why Crabtree hosts choose us
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Fast service from the pan
Take a look at Our pricing Or The cost guide.
How it works
We work to your timings. If things run behind, we hold the paella at the right stage so it is still served fresh. At midsummer, it is light in Crabtree until about 9:20pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
- Leave space around the cooking area
How to get a price
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Crabtree? Send us the details and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. To contact us, send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
What affects the price in Crabtree
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- The paellas you choose
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Parking and unloading
- The length of service
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
What to tell us
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Your date and when you want to eat
The quickest way to a quote is to fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Planners, venues and businesses
Events in public spaces, like parks, typically need permission. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
- 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