West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Hammerwood, West Sussex
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Hammerwood: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Live tapas catering in Hammerwood
What’s in the pans
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Tapas catering in Hammerwood, made fresh on the day
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; for seated meals, table tapas. Many events have both. For birthday drinks and engagement parties, we can cook albóndigas, patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo.
Near Hammerwood, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
- Location
- Hammerwood (RH19)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Events we cater in Hammerwood
Big or small, tapas work.
We’re booked for all kinds of occasions in Hammerwood and nearby. Popular bookings include:
- Tapas and paella menus
- Anniversary parties
- Table tapas as a starter
- Evening sharing boards
Historic houses near Hammerwood include Hammerwood Park (0.8 miles south-east) and Bassetts Manor (2.5 miles south-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
Comparing caterers
- The venue requirements
- Who provides the crockery
- How long the team stays
- How late numbers can change
How it works
Expect a friendly, organised team. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up our cooking area, and cook and serve without fuss. At midsummer, it’s light in Hammerwood until about 9:20pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- 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.
Before we arrive
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Getting a price
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Read more
Why live cooking beats a buffet
For food that gets people mingling, tapas work brilliantly. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Why choose Love Paella in Hammerwood
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- No hidden extras in your quote
Read How we price Or Our guide to catering costs.
Your questions about tapas catering in Hammerwood
We’re having a ceremony at Church of St Stephen: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
How far is Hammerwood from London?
About 26 miles from central London, and well within our area.
Who clears up?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
How much tapas do we need?
It depends on whether they’re a starter, canapés or the whole meal. Tell us about the event and we will suggest quantities.
What happens if it rains?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We will make a plan B with you.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Plenty are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers. Each dish is labelled.
Do you cover Hammerwood?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, and Hammerwood is within our area. For a quote, use our quote form.
What does tapas catering cost?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas and we will reply with a price.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
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.
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. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Nearby places to Hammerwood
What else we do in Hammerwood
Space, weather and the venue
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Space on each table
- Unloading access
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
What we offer
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
What affects the price in Hammerwood
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Distance and access to the venue
- Guest numbers
- The length of service
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
What to tell us
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but these help:
- The courses you’d like
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Where the event is
- A photo of the space, if you can
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Receptions and parties in Hammerwood
Hammerwood is about 3 miles east of East Grinstead, in West Sussex. We cater events at homes, gardens and venues in Hammerwood and the surrounding area. We cover all 371 towns and villages in West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Brighton, about 22 miles away.
Historic buildings near Hammerwood frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Dormans station, about 2.4 miles north-west. Hammerwood is within about 4 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cover events in every part of RH19. Other places close to Hammerwood for tapas catering include Ashurst Wood (2 miles south-west), Cowden (2 miles east), Dormansland (2 miles north-west), Dormans Park (2 miles west) and East Grinstead (3 miles west). Larger places within reach include Crawley (10 miles west), Haywards Heath (11 miles south-west), Burgess Hill (15 miles south-west), Broadfield (11 miles west), Bewbush (12 miles west) and Southgate (10 miles west).
Well-known places in the area include Bolebroke Castle (2.9 miles south-east) and East Grinstead Museum (2.4 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Hedgecourt Lake.
Planning for every diet
Most events have a mix of diets. To cater well for them:
- Check diets in advance
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
Table tapas are set down to share.
Sangria and bar staff.
- 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