West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Sharpthorne, West Sussex
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Sharpthorne: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Engagement drinks
- Tapas and paella menus
Tapas catering near Sharpthorne
Who books tapas catering in Sharpthorne?
Tapas are sociable food, because everyone shares.
We’re booked for all kinds of occasions in Sharpthorne and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Drinks reception canapés
- Tapas before paella
- Evening sharing boards
- Engagement parties
Historic houses near Sharpthorne include Priest House (0.5 miles west) and Gravetye Manor (1 mile north-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
What to look for in a quote
- The wet-weather plan
- Who provides the crockery
- The deadline for final numbers
- What the price includes, item by item
Tapas catering in Sharpthorne, made fresh on the day
Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. For evening grazing and engagement celebrations, we can cook tortilla española, Manchego with membrillo and Serrano ham.
Near Sharpthorne, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: the menu, the staff and any extras, with no surprises on the day.
- Where
- Sharpthorne (RH19)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
How we price tapas catering
We will give you a clear, itemised quote. What affects it most:
- The length of service
- How many guests are eating
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- How many staff you need
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. The full price is confirmed before you book.
Getting an accurate quote
To check availability and price, we need:
- A picture of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- The courses you’d like
- The venue or postcode
- Expected numbers
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, send us your details through our quote form.
Receptions and parties in Sharpthorne
Sharpthorne is about 4 miles south of East Grinstead, in West Sussex. Anywhere in RH19, we will come to your venue or garden. Sharpthorne is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex we cover. We cook right across the region, from Sharpthorne to Brighton (17 miles away).
After a ceremony at a church such as St Margaret's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. If you are looking at a historic venue around Sharpthorne, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Sharpthorne is within about 4 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
For tapas catering in RH19, we plan around your venue and timings. From Station Road, Marlpit Road and Bayhams Field or anywhere nearby, we’ll bring the pans to you. For events just outside Sharpthorne, we cover West Hoathly (1 mile west), Highbrook (2 miles south), Selsfield Common (2 miles north-west), Little London (2 miles south-west) and Birchgrove (3 miles south-east). Further out, we also cater in Crawley (7 miles west), Horsham (12 miles west), Haywards Heath (6 miles south-west), Burgess Hill (9 miles south-west), East Grinstead (4 miles north) and Broadfield (7 miles west).
Nearby you’ll also find Waterbury Castle (2.6 miles south) and East Grinstead Museum (3.7 miles north-east). The countryside around Sharpthorne includes Hedgecourt Lake.
- Local pubs include The Fox pub (under half a mile west)
Dietary needs and planning tips
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Collect dietary needs
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
Tapas go out to the tables.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Working with your venue
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.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Sharpthorne: your questions answered
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Margaret's Church?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Is Sharpthorne close to London?
About 29 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Do you have vegetarian tapas?
Many tapas are naturally vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers. We label each dish.
What does tapas catering cost?
We quote for each event, based on what you actually want. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas for a clear quote.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we’ll check with you and the venue.
How many different paellas?
Two or three covers most guests. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we’ll suggest the mix.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Of course. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, served while the paella cooks.
Planning the cooking area
We will agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- A spot for our serving station
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
The menu, dish by dish
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce.
Step by step
Here’s how the day normally runs: we arrive, set up and start cooking, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and it is served hot from the pan at the agreed time. Evening receptions in Sharpthorne stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
How to prepare
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Give us a contact for the day
Ask for a quote
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Places near Sharpthorne
What else we do in Sharpthorne
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
- 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