East Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Rotherfield
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Rotherfield: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests.
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Anniversary parties
- Office parties and launches
Planning an event in Rotherfield?
How our tapas catering works in Rotherfield
Receptions, parties, office events and weddings all suit tapas. Typical bookings include receptions and drinks parties and tapas starters, serving tortilla española, albóndigas and croquetas.
Near Rotherfield, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in a separate pan and clearly labelled.
- Where
- Rotherfield (TN6)
- County
- East Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning for every diet
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Label seafood clearly
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Staff to serve canapés.
Perfect for your event in Rotherfield
They make a perfect starter before paella.
Whatever the occasion, live paella can be the centrepiece. We often cook for:
- Tapas starters
- Engagement parties
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Cocktail parties
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like The Parish Church of St Denys.
Before you book anyone
- How late numbers can change
- VAT, if it applies
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
The menu, dish by dish
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Prices and what affects them
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Parking and unloading
- Whether you need crockery
- The length of service
- How many guests are eating
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Getting an accurate quote
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- The date and rough timings
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Roughly how many adults and children
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
DIY paella versus live catering
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Tapas for events in Rotherfield
Rotherfield is about 2 miles east of Crowborough, in East Sussex. For an event in Rotherfield, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices. Rotherfield 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.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Crowborough station, about 1.3 miles west. The High Weald National Landscape is within about 3 miles of Rotherfield, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Tapas catering in TN6 is planned around your venue and your guests. From Church Road, Station Road and Church Walk or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Neighbouring places where we cater events include High Cross (1 mile south-east), Town Row (1 mile north-east), Argos Hill (1 mile south-east), Mark Cross (2 miles north-east) and Woolbridge (2 miles south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Lewes (15 miles south-west), Hailsham (13 miles south), Uckfield (7 miles south-west), South Malling (15 miles south-west), Heathfield (6 miles south) and Southover (15 miles south-west).
Nearby you’ll also find Crowborough War Memorial Hospital (2.7 miles west). Not far away are Crowborough Country Park.
- Nearby schools include St Joseph Seminary (1.4 miles north-east) and Beacon Academy (2.1 miles west)
- Nearby, you will find The King's Arms Public House (less than half a mile east)
Places near Rotherfield
Also in Rotherfield
Your questions about tapas catering in Rotherfield
Is Rotherfield too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Can you cater a reception after a service at The Parish Church of St Denys?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is usually elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
How many different paellas?
Two or three is usual: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We will help you decide the split.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, where your guests can watch.
Can we add drinks?
Sangria and bar staff can be added.
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.
When do you arrive?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Can you provide dessert?
We do. Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana.
Space, weather and the venue
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Parking near the venue
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
Menu ideas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
The process
Your timings come first. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we adjust the cooking so it is served at its best. At midsummer, it’s light in Rotherfield until about 9:15pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
Getting ready for the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Give us a contact for the day
Getting a price
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, plus any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. Just fill in our quote form.
Read more
Live paella or other catering?
Nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why choose Love Paella in Rotherfield
- Drinks service on request
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- We cover Rotherfield and the whole of East Sussex
- No hidden extras in your quote
Take a look at Our prices page Or What paella catering costs.
- 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