West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Mackerel's Common
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Mackerel's Common and West Sussex, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Launches and office parties
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Tapas before paella
Tapas catering for Mackerel's Common events
How our tapas catering works in Mackerel's Common
For standing receptions, canapés work best; for seated meals, table tapas. Many events have both. Typical bookings include anniversary parties and canapés with welcome drinks, with Manchego with membrillo, gambas al ajillo and albóndigas.
Near Mackerel's Common, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
- Where
- Mackerel's Common (RH14)
- County
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Diets, allergies and planning
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Here’s how:
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
Each dish is labelled.
Bar staff and sangria.
Events we cater in Mackerel's Common
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in Mackerel's Common book us for events such as:
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Launches and office parties
- Tapas starters
- Anniversary parties
After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of St John the Baptist, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Comparing caterers
- How long the team stays
- The venue requirements
- A clear list of what’s included
- What happens if it rains
Why choose live paella in Mackerel's Common?
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. Larger events normally cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why choose Love Paella in Mackerel's Common
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
Read How we price And The cost guide.
Space, weather and the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Space for a serving table or station
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Space on each table
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in Mackerel's Common
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
Mackerel's Common: your questions answered
Is Mackerel's Common close to London?
About 37 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
We are having a ceremony at The Parish Church of St John the Baptist: 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.
How soon do we need to book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Do we need staff for canapés?
Staff make canapés work, which we can supply.
Can you cook in the rain?
We cook under cover, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
How much paella per person?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Tell us what else is being served. See how much paella per person.
Do you provide drinks?
Sangria, yes. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Prices and what affects them
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Timings and hours
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Guest numbers
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We’ll send you a quote.
Getting an accurate quote
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- The date and time of the event
- Expected numbers
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, fill in our quote form.
For event organisers in Mackerel's Common
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
The process
The cooking is part of the entertainment. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring while your guests chat. A summer drinks reception in Mackerel's Common has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Getting a price
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
Read more
DIY paella versus live catering
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it is in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Receptions and parties in Mackerel's Common
Mackerel's Common is about 10 miles west of Horsham, in West Sussex. For tapas catering in Mackerel's Common, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices. Mackerel's Common is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex we cover. Our nearest city page is Guildford, about 14 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Petworth House (4.6 miles south-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. Guests travelling by rail: Billingshurst station is about 4.8 miles away.
We cover events in every part of the RH14 postcode area. We also cook at events in Kirdford (1 mile south), Plaistow (2 miles north), Ifold (2 miles north), Balls Cross (2 miles south-west) and Wisborough Green (2 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Horsham (10 miles east), Broadfield (15 miles east), Storrington (9 miles south-east), Billingshurst (5 miles east), Bewbush (15 miles east) and Angmering (15 miles south).
Open spaces near Mackerel's Common include The Mens and Shillinglee Lake.
Also near Mackerel's Common
What else we do in Mackerel's Common
- 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