West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Crawley, West Sussex
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Crawley: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Tapas before paella
- Work receptions
- Drinks parties and receptions
Planning an event in Crawley?
How our tapas catering works in Crawley
Tapas are sharing food, made for conversation. Canapés go round while guests mingle, or table tapas go out to share. Whether it is drinks reception canapés and birthday drinks, we can cook patatas bravas, Manchego with membrillo and Serrano ham.
Canapés keep a reception in Crawley moving. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, never made in advance and reheated.
- Where
- Crawley (RH10, RH11, RH12, RH6)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning for every diet
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Planning a tapas spread in Crawley
Crawley is about 27 miles south of London, in West Sussex. Give us the address of your event in Crawley, and we’ll plan access and set-up. Crawley is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex where we cook. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 19 miles away.
A picnic in Tilgate Park? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is frequently easier for catering. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Friary Church of St Francis and St Anthony.
We cater events across the RH10, RH11, RH12 and RH6 postcode area. That could mean an event in a garden on Station Road, Queens Square and High Street or the roads around them. With the A23 and A264 close by, Crawley is easy for us to reach for your event. Nearby, we also cater events in Southgate (1 mile south-west), Tilgate (1 mile south-east), West Green (1 mile north), Three Bridges (1 mile east) and Langley Green (1 mile north). Larger places within reach include Horsham (7 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (9 miles south-east), Burgess Hill (11 miles south), East Grinstead (8 miles east), Billingshurst (13 miles south-west) and Roffey (5 miles south-west). Being one of West Sussex’s larger places, Crawley has plenty of venues and gardens for events.
Other landmarks nearby include Crawley Hospital (0.5 miles north-west) and County Mall (less than half a mile north-east). Open spaces near Crawley include Tilgate Lake.
- Local schools include St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School (within half a mile south-east) and St Wilfrid's Catholic School (0.6 miles west)
- Pubs nearby include The George Hotel (under half a mile north)
DIY paella versus live catering
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and do not stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Paella compared with other options
Nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why Crawley hosts choose us
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Drinks service on request
- A quote that spells everything out
See Our pricing Or The cost guide.
How we price tapas catering
There’s nothing hidden: the quote reflects:
- How long we are needed on site
- The number of people
- The paellas you choose
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. The full price is confirmed before booking.
Details that help
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The date and time of the event
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The venue or postcode
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, use our quote form.
A closer look at the menu
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic and generally vegetarian.
Questions from Crawley
Is Crawley close to London?
About 27 miles from central London.
Which station should guests use for Crawley?
Crawley station, in Crawley itself.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. We arrive with everything we need and cook it there and then, serving it hot from the pan.
How much is live paella catering?
We quote for each event, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers and we will reply with a price.
How many tapas per person?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Give us the details for a suggestion.
Is the paella gluten-free?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
Do you come to Crawley?
Yes. We cover London and the South East, including Crawley. To check your date, fill in our quote form.
Are the tapas served hot?
Hot tapas are finished on site.
Space, weather and the venue
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- A spot for our serving station
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think.
What we offer
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
For planners, venues and organisers
Hosting a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we will tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will talk you through the process. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
The process
The cooking is part of the entertainment. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring while your guests chat. Sunset in Crawley is around 9:20pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
How to prepare
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
Ask for a quote
Not sure what you need yet? That’s fine: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll make suggestions. Start when you’re ready: use our quote form.
Read more
Places near Crawley
What else we do in Crawley
- 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