West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for East Grinstead events
Planning tapas catering in East Grinstead? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Cocktail parties
- Drinks reception canapés
Planning an event in East Grinstead?
Tapas catering in East Grinstead, made fresh on the day
Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. Whether it is tapas starters and birthday drinks, we can cook albóndigas, gambas al ajillo and Serrano ham for your guests.
Tapas work for parties and receptions in East Grinstead. Hot tapas need a spot to finish them. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: the menu, the staff and any extras, with no surprises on the day.
- Where
- East Grinstead (RH19)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
East Grinstead: venues and local tips
East Grinstead is about 8 miles east of Crawley, in West Sussex. For an event in East Grinstead, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices. East Grinstead is one of 371 places in West Sussex where we cook. We cook right across the region, from East Grinstead to Brighton (21 miles away).
Historic houses near East Grinstead include Saint Hill Manor (1.7 miles south-west) and Standen (1.7 miles south). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. If you are looking at a historic venue around East Grinstead, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. East Grinstead is within about 3 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
This part of West Sussex takes in RH19, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. From Station Road, High Street and London Road or a nearby road, we can cook there. East Grinstead is on the A22 and A264, so it’s easy for us to reach with the van and pans. Other places close to East Grinstead for tapas catering include Dormans Park (1 mile north), Saint Hill Green (2 miles south), Felbridge (2 miles north-west), Ashurst Wood (2 miles south-east) and Felcourt (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (8 miles west), Horsham (14 miles west), Haywards Heath (10 miles south-west), Burgess Hill (13 miles south-west), Broadfield (9 miles west) and Bewbush (9 miles west). Being one of West Sussex’s larger places, East Grinstead has lots of places to hold an event.
Nearby you will also find East Grinstead Museum (under half a mile south-east) and Queen Victoria Hospital (0.8 miles north-east). The countryside around East Grinstead includes Hedgecourt Lake.
- Local schools include Sackville School (0.7 miles south-east) and Bush Davies School of Theatre Arts (1.3 miles north)
- Nearby, you will find The Railway pub (within half a mile south)
Working with your venue
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will explain how it works. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Catering for every guest
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To get it right:
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Tell us what role tapas play
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Add a live paella main.
How we price tapas catering
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Your choice of paellas
- Guest numbers
- Waiting and bar staff
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What we need to know
When you get in touch, it helps to tell us:
- The date and rough timings
- The address or venue name
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Expected numbers
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, use our quote form.
Step by step
Service is quick: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so large groups are fed quickly. When service is finished, we pack down. Evening receptions in East Grinstead stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Getting ready for the day
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Tell us where to park and unload
Get a quote
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Read more
East Grinstead questions
How far is East Grinstead from London?
Roughly 26 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Which station should guests use for East Grinstead?
East Grinstead has its own station: East Grinstead station.
What does tapas catering cost?
We quote for each event, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers and we’ll reply with a price.
How much tapas do we need?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Give us the details for a suggestion.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, it is the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Which areas do you serve?
We cover London and the South East, including West Sussex. See all areas.
How far ahead should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
How much space do you need?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
Places near East Grinstead
What else we do in East Grinstead
Perfect for your event in East Grinstead
They work for any size of event.
Here are some of the events we cook for:
- Tapas and paella menus
- Evening grazing
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Engagement celebrations
For guests coming by train, East Grinstead has its own station, East Grinstead station.
What to look for in a quote
- Space, access and power needs
- The deadline for final numbers
- The wet-weather plan
- If the price includes VAT
What we need at the venue
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Parking near the venue
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
Popular choices
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
The menu, dish by dish
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat.
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce, frequently with alioli.
- 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