West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Furnace Wood, West Sussex
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Furnace Wood and across West Sussex.
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Tapas starters
Planning an event in Furnace Wood?
Prices and what affects them
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- The number of people
- Timings and hours
- How many courses
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
What we need to know
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- A picture of the space, if you can
- The date and rough timings
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you are ready, fill in our quote form.
Tapas catering in Furnace Wood, made fresh on the day
We will suggest a selection to suit your timings and guests, starter or main event. For evening grazing and drinks reception canapés, we will put together a menu of Manchego with membrillo, Serrano ham and patatas bravas.
For a country party near Furnace Wood, tapas and sangria set the mood. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
- Where
- Furnace Wood (RH19)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Furnace Wood: venues and local tips
Furnace Wood is about 3 miles west of East Grinstead, in West Sussex. Wherever your event is in the RH19 area, we’ll come to your venue or garden. Furnace Wood is one of 371 places in West Sussex we cover. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 21 miles away.
Historic buildings near Furnace Wood frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is East Grinstead station, about 2.5 miles south-east. The High Weald National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Furnace Wood, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
For tapas catering in RH19, we plan around your venue and timings. Local streets include Lake View Road, Felcot Road and Furnace Farm Road; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. We also cook at events in Domewood (1 mile north-west), Snow Hill (1 mile west), Felbridge (1 mile east), Crawley Down (1 mile south) and Newchapel (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cater in Crawley (6 miles west), Horsham (12 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (10 miles south), Burgess Hill (13 miles south), East Grinstead (3 miles east) and Broadfield (7 miles south-west).
A little further out are Effingham Park Motor Museum (0.9 miles west) and Queen Victoria Hospital (3.1 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Hedgecourt Lake.
- Local schools include Imberhorne School (1.6 miles east)
Why choose tapas catering in Furnace Wood?
Tapas get people talking.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in Furnace Wood book us for occasions like:
- Tapas starters
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Launches and office parties
Historic houses near Furnace Wood include Saint Hill Manor (3 miles south-east) and Standen (3.4 miles south-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
Questions to ask before booking
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Whether VAT is included
- How bad weather is handled
- How long the team stays
For event organisers in Furnace Wood
Venues often have their own rules about 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.
If you are organising for someone else, whether you’re a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
What we need at the venue
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We need:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Venue approval for outside catering
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
Menu ideas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
Dishes our guests love
Tortilla española
Potato omelette cut into bites.
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Catering for every guest
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Collect dietary needs
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Label seafood clearly
- Ask for labels on each dish
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Spanish desserts to finish.
How the day works
When we arrive, we set up our cooking area, light the burners and start the sofrito. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so we time everything to your schedule. Evening receptions in Furnace Wood 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.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Getting ready for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
Getting a price
To get a price, fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will put together a menu and price.
Planning help
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Places near Furnace Wood
Also in Furnace Wood
Common questions in Furnace Wood
Can you cook at venues in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll follow the site rules.
How far is Furnace Wood from London?
Roughly 25 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Do you come to Furnace Wood?
We do. Furnace Wood is one of the places we cover. Tell us your date and we will check availability.
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.
How soon do we need to book?
As soon as you have a date. Peak dates go quickly, so it pays to ask early.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, while the rice is cooking.
Do you take everything away?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
What do you need at the venue?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
- 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