West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Staplefield
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Staplefield and nearby, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Anniversary parties
- Evening grazing
- Table tapas as a starter
Planning an event in Staplefield?
Tapas catering in Staplefield, made fresh on the day
Tapas are sharing food, made for conversation. Canapés go round while guests mingle, or table tapas go out to share. Whether it is tapas starters and tapas before paella, we can cook padrón peppers, Serrano ham and patatas bravas for your guests.
Near Staplefield, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
- Area
- Staplefield (RH17)
- County
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Catering for every guest
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. Our advice:
- Check diets in advance
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Tell us what role tapas play
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Serving boards and crockery.
Step by step
It’s a relaxed, well-organised set-up. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up our cooking area, and get on with cooking and serving. A summer drinks reception in Staplefield 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.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Get a quote
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Staplefield? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. To get in touch, use our quote form.
Planning help
What tapas catering costs
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- How many guests are eating
- Your choice of paellas
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Timings and hours
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What to tell us
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- What the venue already provides
- Which courses you have in mind
- Expected numbers
- Your date and when you want to eat
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we will make suggestions. Start when you’re ready: send us your details through our quote form.
DIY paella versus live catering
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. 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.
Planning the cooking area
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Room for a tapas table
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Access to unload near the serving area
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
Menu ideas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
Places near Staplefield
Also in Staplefield
What’s in the pans
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil with a little chilli.
Drinks receptions around Staplefield
Staplefield is about 4 miles north-west of Haywards Heath, in West Sussex. For an event in Staplefield, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices in and around Staplefield. Staplefield is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex we cover. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 14 miles away.
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Staplefield, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Nearby historic houses include Tyes Place (under half a mile east) and Ockenden Manor (2.5 miles south-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
This part of West Sussex takes in RH17. Your event could be at a home on Cuckfield Road and Rose Cottage Lane. If your venue is just outside Staplefield, we also cover Slough Green (1 mile south), Warninglid (1 mile south-west), Brook Street (2 miles south-east), Whitemans Green (2 miles south-east) and Balcombe (2 miles north-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Crawley (5 miles north), Horsham (7 miles west), Haywards Heath (4 miles south-east), Burgess Hill (6 miles south), East Grinstead (10 miles north-east) and Shoreham-by-Sea (14 miles south).
Nearby you will also find Cuckfield Museum (2.5 miles south-east) and St Francis Hospital (4.7 miles south-east). Not far away are Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow and Tilgate Lake.
- Pubs nearby include The Victory Inn (under half a mile west)
Why live cooking beats a buffet
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Why Staplefield hosts choose us
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Catering across West Sussex, including Staplefield
Common questions in Staplefield
Is Staplefield close to London?
About 32 miles from central London.
What’s the nearest station to Staplefield for guests?
Balcombe station, about 2.1 miles north-east of the centre.
What space do you need to cook?
Not a lot: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. If in doubt, send a picture.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes. Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana.
How many paellas should we have?
Most events have two or three: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We will help you decide the split.
What if the weather’s bad?
We cook under cover, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Of course. We cook vegetarian and vegan paellas in their own pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
How long does the paella take?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Organising for someone else?
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
- 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