West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Ditchling, West Sussex
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in Ditchling. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Table tapas as a starter
- Engagement parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Planning an event in Ditchling?
Space, weather and the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Space for a serving table or station
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
What we offer
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
Tapas catering in Ditchling, made fresh on the day
Receptions, parties, office events and weddings all suit tapas in and around Ditchling. We cook gambas al ajillo, patatas bravas and tortilla española, and we are often booked for launches and office parties and birthday drinks.
In a rural spot like Ditchling, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, never made in advance and reheated, and served as soon as it’s ready.
- Location
- Ditchling (BN6)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Step by step
Watching it cook is half the fun. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook. A summer drinks reception in Ditchling has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
How to prepare
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Give us a contact for the day
Ask for a quote
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
How we price tapas catering
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Distance and access to the venue
- The paellas you choose
- The number of people
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
What to tell us
These details help us quote quickly:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Where the event is
- Expected numbers
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Working with your venue
Throwing a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Organising a club, school or community event in Ditchling? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
Planning for every diet
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Label seafood clearly
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
Canapés circulate with drinks.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Paella compared with other options
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. Larger events usually cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why us?
- Catering across West Sussex, including Ditchling
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
See Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
Planning a tapas spread in Ditchling
Ditchling is about 3 miles south of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. We cook at events in homes, gardens and venues in Ditchling and the surrounding area. Ditchling is one of 371 places in West Sussex where we cook. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 6 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as Ditchling Unitarian Chapel, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. If you’re looking at a historic venue around Ditchling, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Ditchling is within about a mile of the South Downs National Park, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Here we cover the BN6 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. That could mean an event in a garden on High Street, The Twitten and Charlton Gardens. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Keymer (1 mile west), Westmeston (1 mile south), Hassocks (1 mile west), Clayton (2 miles south-west) and Hurst Wickham (2 miles north-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Crawley (14 miles north), Horsham (13 miles north-west), Worthing (14 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (5 miles north), East Grinstead (15 miles north) and Shoreham-by-Sea (9 miles south-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft (less than half a mile west) and The Dene Hospital (3.8 miles north-west). Open spaces near Ditchling include Ditchling Beacon and Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve.
- Nearby schools include Downlands Community School (1.1 miles west)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Bull Hotel (within half a mile west)
Questions from Ditchling
What’s the nearest station to Ditchling for guests?
The closest is Hassocks station, roughly 1.4 miles away.
Is Ditchling close to London?
About 40 miles from central London.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Is the paella gluten-free?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we take the right care.
How long do you need on site?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance so the paella is ready when you want it.
Do you cater in Ditchling?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Ditchling and across West Sussex. Send us your date to check availability.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away; cold tapas are laid out as guests arrive.
Can you cook indoors?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Courtyards, doorways and terraces frequently work.
What’s in the pans
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Nearby places to Ditchling
More for events in Ditchling
- 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