East Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for Forest Row events
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella turns food into part of your event in Forest Row.
- Launches and office parties
- Engagement celebrations
- Evening sharing boards
Tapas catering near Forest Row
How our tapas catering works in Forest Row
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they’re served at their best. Whether it is birthday and anniversary parties and canapés with welcome drinks, we can cook padrón peppers, gambas al ajillo and albóndigas and more.
Tapas make a party in Forest Row easy and sociable. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
- Where
- Forest Row (RH18)
- County
- East Sussex
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
What tapas catering costs
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Guest numbers
- The length of service
- How many staff you need
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
What we need to know
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- What the venue already provides
- The date and rough timings
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Forest Row: venues and local tips
Forest Row is about 3 miles south-east of East Grinstead, in East Sussex. From the centre of Forest Row to the outskirts, we offer the same service: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cater in 289 places across East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 19 miles away.
Historic buildings near Forest Row frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. Historic houses near Forest Row include Standen (2.3 miles west) and Hammerwood Park (2.8 miles north-east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Forest Row is within about a mile of the High Weald National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
For tapas catering in RH18, we plan around your venue and timings. Whether your event is on Evelyn Clark Square, Station Road and London Road or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Other places close to Forest Row for tapas catering include Coleman's Hatch (1 mile east), Wych Cross (2 miles south), Upper Hartfield (2 miles east), Chelwood Gate (3 miles south) and Birchgrove (3 miles south-west). Further out, we also cater in Lewes (15 miles south), Crowborough (6 miles south-east), Uckfield (9 miles south), South Malling (15 miles south), Heathfield (13 miles south-east) and Southover (15 miles south).
A little further out are East Grinstead Museum (2.8 miles north-west) and Bolebroke Castle (3.6 miles north-east).
- Local schools include Greenfields School (0.9 miles south-west)
- Local pubs include Foresters Arms (less than half a mile north)
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Where we can cook in Forest Row
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Parking near the venue
- Permission from the venue
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
What we offer
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
Nearby places to Forest Row
Other catering in Forest Row
Should I cook it myself?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it is in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Common questions in Forest Row
We’re having a ceremony at The Parish Church of the Holy Trinity: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is typically elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
What’s the nearest station to Forest Row for guests?
East Grinstead station, about 3.2 miles north-west of the centre.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Children are welcome. Let us know numbers and ages, and we will plan a pan with them in mind.
How many different paellas?
Two or three covers most guests. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
What if the weather’s bad?
We cook under cover, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We’ll agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Absolutely.
Can you cook indoors?
Typically we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Organising for someone else?
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Planning for every diet
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Here’s how:
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Collect dietary needs
Afterwards, we clear away.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Events we cater in Forest Row
Tapas are sociable food, because everyone shares.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Anniversary parties
- Tapas and paella menus
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Sharing tapas starters
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like The Parish Church of the Holy Trinity.
Comparing caterers
- A clear list of what’s included
- The venue requirements
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
Step by step
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you’re free to enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first while the paella cooks. At midsummer, it is light in Forest Row until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
How to prepare
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Give us a contact for the day
Get a quote
To get a price, fill in our quote form. Tell us about your event in Forest Row, and we will put together a menu and price.
Planning help
- 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