West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Rusper, West Sussex
Planning tapas catering in Rusper? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Office parties and launches
- Tapas before paella
- Engagement drinks
Live tapas catering in Rusper
Tapas catering for your event in Rusper
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they’re served at their best. For canapés with welcome drinks and birthday drinks, we can cook tortilla española, croquetas and albóndigas and more.
Near Rusper, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
- Location
- Rusper (RH12)
- County
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Why choose tapas catering in Rusper?
They’re the classic starter before paella.
Whatever you are celebrating in Rusper, paella can be the star of the food. We often cook for:
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Evening sharing boards
- Birthday drinks
- Cocktail parties
Historic buildings near Rusper often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue.
Before you book anyone
- Who provides the crockery
- The venue requirements
- What happens if it rains
- Staff numbers and hours
Tapas for events in Rusper
Rusper is about 4 miles west of Crawley, in West Sussex. Events in Rusper are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. Rusper is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Rusper to Guildford (about 15 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Faygate station, about 1.8 miles south. After a ceremony at a church such as St Mary Magdalene church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Rusper is within about 6 miles of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Wherever your event is in RH12, we can cook for your guests. Streets in the area include High Street, Cooks Mead and Chalice Walk, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Other places close to Rusper for tapas catering include Lambs Green (1 mile east), Ifieldwood (2 miles east), Russ Hill (3 miles north-east), Bewbush (3 miles south-east) and Cudworth (3 miles north). We also cook in nearby towns such as Crawley (4 miles east), Horsham (4 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (12 miles south-east), Burgess Hill (13 miles south-east), East Grinstead (12 miles east) and Broadfield (4 miles south-east).
Nearby you will also find Crawley Museum (3.9 miles east) and Crawley Hospital (3.6 miles east). Not far away are Vann Lake and Warnham LNR.
What affects the price in Rusper
Your quote will be clear and itemised. The main things that affect it are:
- How long we’re needed on site
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Distance and access to the venue
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
What we need to know
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The address or venue name
- The date and rough timings
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, use our quote form.
Planning for every diet
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Check diets in advance
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Include staff for canapés
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
The menu, dish by dish
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, frequently with alioli.
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat, often with ham or mushroom.
What we need at the venue
We’ll agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Room for a tapas table
- Permission from the venue
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
Nearby places to Rusper
Also in Rusper
How the day works
The paella is cooked in giant, shallow pans over gas burners. We need a level, ventilated spot, which we agree with you beforehand. A summer drinks reception in Rusper has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Tell us where to park and unload
How to get a price
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote.
Planning help
Is live paella right for your event?
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is often good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
Why Rusper hosts choose us
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Drinks service on request
Take a look at Our prices page And The cost guide.
Planners, venues and businesses
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Events in public spaces, like parks, typically need permission. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
FAQs for Rusper
Can you cook at venues in the Surrey Hills National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will follow the site rules.
What’s the nearest station to Rusper for guests?
The closest is Faygate station, roughly 1.8 miles away.
Will there be enough food?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Of course. Tapas and canapés can be booked on their own.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Usually we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Sangria and bar staff can be added.
Do you offer halal options?
We can. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and it’s cooked separately.
Do you clear up afterwards?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
- 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