West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for Cross Gate events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Cross Gate: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, in full view of your guests.
- Office parties and launches
- Sharing tapas starters
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Tapas catering in Cross Gate
Dietary needs and planning tips
Most events have a mix of diets. To cater well for them:
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Bar staff and sangria.
Tapas catering in Cross Gate, cooked live
Receptions, parties, office events and weddings all suit tapas. Popular choices include Serrano ham, albóndigas and Manchego with membrillo, and we are regularly asked to cater receptions and drinks parties and table tapas as a starter.
In a rural spot like Cross Gate, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
- Where
- Cross Gate (BN18)
- County
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning the cooking area
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
- Room for a tapas table
- Venue approval for outside catering
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
On the menu in Cross Gate
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
Prices and what affects them
There is nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- Guest numbers
- Waiting and bar staff
- Travel, parking and access
- The length of service
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Details that help
These details help us quote quickly:
- The venue or postcode
- Diets and allergies you know about
- A photo of the space, if you can
- The courses you’d like
It is easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Cross Gate: venues and local tips
Cross Gate is about 7 miles north of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. Tell us where your event in Cross Gate will be, and we’ll plan access and set-up. We cover all 371 towns and villages across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 18 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Historic buildings near Cross Gate often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. The South Downs National Park is within about a mile of Cross Gate, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
For tapas catering in BN18, we plan around your venue. For events just outside Cross Gate, we cover Rackham (1 mile east), Amberley (1 mile south-west), Bury (2 miles west), Coldwaltham (2 miles north-west) and Watersfield (2 miles north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Horsham (14 miles north-east), Worthing (8 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (11 miles south-west), Chichester (12 miles south-west), Littlehampton (7 miles south) and Shoreham-by-Sea (12 miles south-east).
Well-known places in the area include Amberley Museum (1.4 miles south-west) and Amberley Castle (1 mile west). Green spaces nearby include Bignor Hill and Amberley Wild Brooks.
Planners, venues and businesses
Throwing a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
If you’re organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it is in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Also near Cross Gate
More for events in Cross Gate
Dishes our guests love
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside, often with ham or mushroom.
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Questions from Cross Gate
Do you cater in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will follow the site rules.
We are having a ceremony at The Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities around your timings and courses. Tell us more for a suggestion.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three covers most guests. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
Which areas do you serve?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Cross Gate.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance so the paella is ready when you want it.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
How it works
Here’s how the day typically runs: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and we serve straight from the pan when you’re ready to eat. Evening receptions in Cross Gate stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Leave space around the cooking area
Ask for a quote
To get a price, use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Cross Gate, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Planning help
Is live paella right for your event?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel special. 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 us?
- Catering across West Sussex, including Cross Gate
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Served hot, straight from the pan
Take a look at How we price Or The cost guide.
- 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