East Sussex · England
Tapas Catering for Hartfield events
Planning tapas catering in Hartfield? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Drinks reception canapés
- Anniversary parties
- Launches and office parties
Tapas catering in Hartfield
Tapas catering in Hartfield, made fresh on the day
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. Typical bookings include drinks reception canapés and birthday drinks, with gambas al ajillo, padrón peppers and croquetas.
For a country party near Hartfield, tapas and sangria set the mood. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, never made in advance and reheated.
- Location
- Hartfield (TN7)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Prices and what affects them
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- The paellas you choose
- The length of service
- Whether you need crockery
- Parking and unloading
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
What we need to know
To check availability and price, we need:
- The date and time of the event
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
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.
About the dishes
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette served in wedges or squares.
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
How the day works
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you are free to enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first as the rice is cooking. A summer drinks reception in Hartfield has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and 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.
- We pack down when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
Ask for a quote
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, use our quote form.
Related guides
Before you choose a spot
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Space for a serving table or station
- Access to unload near the serving area
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
Popular choices
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
Tapas for events in Hartfield
Hartfield is about 4 miles north-west of Crowborough, in East Sussex. For an event in Hartfield, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Hartfield. Hartfield is one of 289 towns and villages in East Sussex where we cook. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 21 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of St Mary, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Historic buildings near Hartfield frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. Hartfield is within about 4 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
This part of East Sussex takes in TN7, so your event can be anywhere in it. Streets in the area include High Street, Church Street and Rectory Field, and we can cook for an event on any of them. For events just outside Hartfield, we cover Balls Green (1 mile east), Teasley Mead (3 miles north-east), Ashurst (3 miles north-east), Groombridge (3 miles east) and Stone Cross (3 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Crowborough (4 miles south-east), Uckfield (9 miles south), Heathfield (11 miles south-east), Wadhurst (10 miles east), Ridgewood (10 miles south) and Ringmer (15 miles south).
Well-known places in the area include Crowborough War Memorial Hospital (4 miles south-east) and Bolebroke Castle (1.3 miles north). The countryside around Hartfield includes Broadwater Warren RSPB Reserve.
- Nearby, you’ll find The Anchor Inn (under half a mile west)
Why live cooking beats a buffet
For food that gets people mingling, tapas work brilliantly. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
Why Hartfield hosts choose us
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Catering across East Sussex, including Hartfield
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
Read Our pricing Or What paella catering costs.
Catering for every guest
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Include staff for canapés
- Collect dietary needs
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Staff to serve canapés.
Should I cook it myself?
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.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
Also near Hartfield
Other catering in Hartfield
FAQs for Hartfield
We’re having a ceremony at The Parish Church of St Mary: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Is Hartfield too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
Yes, on request. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes. A simple chicken paella is generally popular with children. Tell us how many are coming.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, served while the paella cooks.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes. We cook vegetarian and vegan paellas in their own pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
Can you bring crockery?
If you need them, yes. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables can be added to your booking.
Working with your venue
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so guests are fed quickly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Events in public spaces, like parks, usually need permission. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
- 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