West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for Ditchling Common events
Paella for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Ditchling Common.
- Sharing tapas starters
- Drinks reception canapés
- Sharing boards for evening guests
Tapas catering in Ditchling Common
Tapas catering for your event in Ditchling Common
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, served while the paella cooks, but they’re great on their own. Typical bookings include canapés with welcome drinks and tapas starters, serving tortilla española, patatas bravas and albóndigas.
Near Ditchling Common, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, each in a separate pan.
- Where
- Ditchling Common (BN6)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Tapas for events in Ditchling Common
Ditchling Common is about 2 miles south-east of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. Anywhere in BN6, we will come to your venue or garden. We cover 371 places in West Sussex. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 8 miles away.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Burgess Hill station, about 1.6 miles west. If you are looking at a historic venue around Ditchling Common, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. The South Downs National Park is within about 2 miles of Ditchling Common, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Wherever your event is in BN6, we can bring tapas catering to you. We also cook at events in Wivelsfield (1 mile north), Wivelsfield Green (2 miles north-east), Plumpton Green (2 miles south-east), Streat (2 miles south) and East Chiltington (3 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Crawley (12 miles north), Horsham (13 miles north-west), Haywards Heath (4 miles north), East Grinstead (13 miles north), Shoreham-by-Sea (11 miles south-west) and Lancing (13 miles south-west).
A little further out are Clayton Castle (3.4 miles south-west) and Burgess Hill Museum (1.7 miles north-west). Not far away are Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve and Ditchling Beacon.
- Schools near Ditchling Common include Burgess Hill Girls (1.4 miles west) and The Burgess Hill Academy (1.8 miles west)
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Places near Ditchling Common
Also in Ditchling Common
Prices and what affects them
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Travel, parking and access
- Timings and hours
- Guest numbers
- The paellas you choose
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
What we need to know
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The address or venue name
- The date and time of the event
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Ditchling Common? Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back with ideas and a quote. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Occasions we cook for in Ditchling Common
One spread covers many tastes and diets.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in Ditchling Common book us for occasions like:
- Engagement drinks
- Birthday drinks
- Tapas before paella
- Evening sharing boards
Nearby historic houses include Ockenden Manor (4.7 miles north-west). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
What to look for in a quote
- What the price includes, item by item
- If the price includes VAT
- How each diet is kept separate
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
What’s in the pans
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, frequently with alioli.
Before you choose a spot
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Permission from the venue
- Space on each table
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before booking.
What we offer
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
Common questions in Ditchling Common
What’s the nearest station to Ditchling Common for guests?
The closest is Burgess Hill station, roughly 1.6 miles away.
How far is Ditchling Common from London?
Roughly 38 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
What about pudding?
We do. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, where your guests can watch.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Do you take everything away?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
Do you do starters?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, served while the paella cooks.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Of course. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
For event organisers in Ditchling Common
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Ditchling Common? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
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 keeps things simple.
The process
Service is quick: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so large groups are fed quickly. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. At midsummer, it is light in Ditchling Common until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Before we arrive
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
Getting a price
Not sure what you need yet? That’s fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Is live paella right for your event?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before booking.
Why book with us
- Drinks service on request
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Served hot, straight from the pan
Read Our pricing Or Our guide to catering costs.
- 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