West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Handcross
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Handcross and the surrounding area.
- Engagement parties
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Tapas with a paella main course
Planning an event in Handcross?
What we need at the venue
We will be honest if a space won’t work, and help find another spot. What matters most:
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Space on each table
- Space for a serving table or station
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
Popular choices
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
Tapas catering in Handcross, made fresh on the day
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, as a starter while the rice cooks, but they work on their own too. Typical bookings include drinks parties and receptions and anniversary parties, serving patatas bravas, Serrano ham and Manchego with membrillo.
Near Handcross, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
- Where
- Handcross (RH17)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Working with your venue
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Handcross? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we will suggest a menu.
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.
Planning for every diet
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
Canapés circulate with drinks as guests arrive.
Staff to serve canapés.
The menu, dish by dish
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Common questions in Handcross
How far is Handcross from London?
Roughly 31 miles from the centre of London.
Which station should guests use for Handcross?
The closest is Balcombe station, roughly 2.8 miles away.
Can you bring crockery?
Yes, on request. Proper crockery or quality disposables are available.
How much does tapas catering cost in Handcross?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Can you do sangria?
Yes, sangria. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, and it’s a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Do you do desserts?
We can add a dessert. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
Are the tapas fresh?
Hot tapas are finished on site so they’re served at their best.
Also near Handcross
More for events in Handcross
Who books tapas catering in Handcross?
They work for any size of event.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Evening sharing boards
- Engagement drinks
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Office parties and launches
Nearby historic houses include Tyes Place (1.9 miles south-east) and Ockenden Manor (4.2 miles south-east). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Questions to ask before booking
- The deposit and payment dates
- The wet-weather plan
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Space, access and power needs
Paella compared with other options
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before you book.
Why book with us
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
Read How we price Or What paella catering costs.
Step by step
Your timings come first. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we hold the paella at the right stage so it’s still served fresh. At midsummer, it is light in Handcross until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Before we arrive
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
Get a quote
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Read more
Planning a tapas spread in Handcross
Handcross is about 4 miles south of Crawley, in West Sussex. From the centre of Handcross to the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cook in 371 places in West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Handcross to Brighton (about 16 miles away).
For guests coming by train, Balcombe station is about 2.8 miles away. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like All Saints.
Anywhere in RH17, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. From High Street, London Road and Windmill Platt or a nearby road, we will bring the pans to you. For events just outside Handcross, we cover Slaugham (1 mile south), Plummers Plain (2 miles south-west), Colgate (3 miles north-west), Broadfield (3 miles north) and Lower Beeding (3 miles south-west). Further out, we also cater in Crawley (4 miles north), Horsham (5 miles west), Haywards Heath (6 miles south-east), Burgess Hill (7 miles south-east), East Grinstead (10 miles north-east) and Shoreham-by-Sea (15 miles south).
Nearby you will also find Crawley Hospital (4.3 miles north). The countryside around Handcross includes Tilgate Lake and Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow.
- Nearby schools include Handcross Park School (0.5 miles north)
- Pubs nearby include The Royal Oak Public House (under half a mile south-west)
- 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