West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Selsfield Common
Planning tapas catering in Selsfield Common? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Engagement drinks
- Evening grazing
- Table tapas as a starter
Tapas catering near Selsfield Common
Tapas catering in Selsfield Common, made fresh on the day
We can add sangria and bar staff, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. Typical bookings include cocktail parties and welcome-drink canapés, with Serrano ham, croquetas and gambas al ajillo.
In a rural spot like Selsfield Common, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it’s hot and generous, and a queue moves quickly.
- Location
- Selsfield Common (RH19)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Live paella or other catering?
For food that gets people mingling, tapas are hard to beat. 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.
Why us?
- Events in Selsfield Common and across West Sussex
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- A clear, itemised quote
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Selsfield Common: your questions answered
Do you come out to small places like Selsfield Common?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Do you cater in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll follow the site rules.
Can we add drinks?
Sangria and bar staff can be added.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Absolutely.
Can you cook in the rain?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We’ll agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Can you cook indoors?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, because we use gas burners. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, on request. Let us know your halal numbers, and it is cooked separately.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Even if it is short notice, it is worth asking.
Should I cook it myself?
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Places near Selsfield Common
Other catering in Selsfield Common
Why choose tapas catering in Selsfield Common?
They make a perfect starter before paella.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We often cook for:
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Drinks reception canapés
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Engagement celebrations
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Selsfield Common, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Comparing caterers
- Space, access and power needs
- The deposit and payment dates
- How each diet is kept separate
- How long the team stays
Planning a tapas spread in Selsfield Common
Selsfield Common is about 4 miles south-west of East Grinstead, in West Sussex. From the centre of Selsfield Common to the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cater in 371 places in West Sussex. We cook right across the region, from Selsfield Common to Brighton (about 18 miles away).
Historic houses near Selsfield Common include Gravetye Manor (0.8 miles east) and Priest House (1.4 miles south-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Leonard. The High Weald National Landscape is within about 5 miles of Selsfield Common, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
This part of West Sussex takes in RH19, so your event can be anywhere in it. You will find Selsfield Common on the B2028, so it’s easy for us to reach with the van and pans. Other places close to Selsfield Common for tapas catering include West Hoathly (1 mile south-east), Sharpthorne (2 miles south-east), Little London (2 miles south), Highbrook (3 miles south) and Ardingly (3 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (5 miles west), Horsham (11 miles west), Haywards Heath (6 miles south), Burgess Hill (10 miles south), East Grinstead (4 miles north-east) and Broadfield (6 miles west).
Nearby you’ll also find Queen Victoria Hospital (4.5 miles north-east) and Waterbury Castle (4 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Hedgecourt Lake.
- Local pubs include The Crown Public House (0.9 miles north-west)
Dietary needs and planning tips
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Collect dietary needs
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
Each dish is labelled.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
The menu, dish by dish
Tortilla española
Potato omelette cut into bites.
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Before you choose a spot
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Venue approval for outside catering
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Menu ideas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
Organising for someone else?
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Events in public spaces, like parks, usually need permission. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
How the day works
Here’s how the day generally runs: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and we serve straight from the pan at the agreed time. A summer drinks reception in Selsfield Common has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
Preparing for the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Share the running order, including any speeches
Ask for a quote
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. When you are ready, use our quote form.
Read more
- 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