West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Crawley Down, West Sussex
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Crawley Down and West Sussex, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Anniversary parties
- Evening grazing
- Work receptions
Planning an event in Crawley Down?
How our tapas catering works in Crawley Down
We’ll recommend a tapas selection for your event, starter or main event. Typical bookings include engagement drinks and drinks parties and receptions, with gambas al ajillo, tortilla española and Serrano ham.
For a party in a place like Crawley Down, a tapas spread is easy and sociable. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, never made in advance and reheated.
- Area
- Crawley Down (RH10)
- County
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Your questions about tapas catering in Crawley Down
Which station should guests use for Crawley Down?
East Grinstead station, about 2.5 miles east of the centre.
Can you cook at venues in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will follow the site rules.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, it is the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Can you do sangria?
Yes, sangria. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Hot tapas are finished on site so they’re served at their best.
Can you supply plates?
We can. Let us know what you have, and we’ll quote for the rest.
Do we need staff for canapés?
Canapés work best with staff serving, which we can supply.
How it works
On the day, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so the timing is planned around your event. Sunset in Crawley Down is around 9:20pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Getting ready for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
How to get a price
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Crawley Down? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. Just use our quote form.
Read more
Live paella or other catering?
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
Why book with us
- A clear, itemised quote
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Events in Crawley Down and across West Sussex
Read Our pricing Or Our guide to catering costs.
Where we can cook in Crawley Down
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- Parking near the venue
- Space on each table
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
Should I cook it myself?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
For planners, venues and organisers
If you are planning an event on someone’s behalf, whether you’re a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we are happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Crawley Down: venues and local tips
Crawley Down is about 3 miles west of East Grinstead, in West Sussex. Give us the address of your event in Crawley Down, and we will plan the journey and set-up before the day. We cook in 371 places in West Sussex. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 20 miles away.
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Crawley Down, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is East Grinstead station, about 2.5 miles east. Crawley Down is within about 6 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cater events across RH10. We can cater an event on streets such as Station Road, Forest Close and Burleigh Way or the roads around them. Nearby, we also cater events in Furnace Wood (1 mile north), Snow Hill (1 mile north), Turners Hill (1 mile south), Domewood (1 mile north) and Felbridge (2 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Crawley (5 miles west), Horsham (11 miles west), Haywards Heath (9 miles south), Burgess Hill (12 miles south), East Grinstead (3 miles east) and Broadfield (6 miles west).
Nearby you will also find Queen Victoria Hospital (3.5 miles east) and Effingham Park Motor Museum (1.4 miles north-west). Open spaces near Crawley Down include Hedgecourt Lake.
- Nearby schools include Imberhorne School (1.9 miles north-east)
Nearby places to Crawley Down
Other catering in Crawley Down
The menu, dish by dish
Patatas bravas
Always popular.
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
What tapas catering costs
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Guest numbers
- How many staff you need
- Your choice of paellas
- Starters, canapés and desserts
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
To speed things up, tell us:
- Your date and when you want to eat
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Which courses you have in mind
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll come back with a clear quote.
Occasions we cook for in Crawley Down
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
Here are some of the events we cook for:
- Tapas and paella menus
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Engagement parties
- Receptions and drinks parties
Nearby historic houses include Saint Hill Manor (2.4 miles south-east) and Gravetye Manor (2.4 miles south). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
Before you book anyone
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- The venue requirements
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- 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