East Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Steel Cross, East Sussex
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Steel Cross.
- Anniversary parties
- Office parties and launches
- Engagement parties
Tapas catering in Steel Cross
Tapas catering in Steel Cross, cooked live
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they’re served at their best. Typical bookings include birthday drinks and evening sharing boards, with tortilla española, croquetas and Serrano ham.
Near Steel Cross, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
- Where
- Steel Cross (TN6)
- Area hub
- East Sussex
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
How the day works
The paella is cooked in giant, shallow pans over gas burners. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, which we agree with you beforehand. Evening receptions in Steel Cross stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:15pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Getting ready for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
Getting a price
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll suggest a menu. Start when you’re ready: use our quote form.
Planning help
Why choose live paella in Steel Cross?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel special. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What you get with us
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
Read Our pricing Or What paella catering costs.
What’s in the pans
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
For planners, venues and organisers
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Steel Cross? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
What affects the price in Steel Cross
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- How long we are needed on site
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- How many courses
The cost per head normally falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Details that help
For a quote, it helps to have:
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Which courses you have in mind
- Your date and when you want to eat
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.
Where we can cook in Steel Cross
We will be honest if a space won’t work, and suggest an alternative. The main points are:
- Space on each table
- Room for a tapas table
- Unloading access
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
Popular choices
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
FAQs for Steel Cross
We’re having a ceremony at The Parish Church of All Saints: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is normally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
How far is Steel Cross from London?
Roughly 32 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
How many different paellas?
Normally two or three, so every guest has a choice. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
How much does tapas catering cost in Steel Cross?
We quote for each event, based on what you actually want. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas for a clear quote.
Do you do starters?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, while the rice is cooking.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Usually we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, because we use gas burners. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
What areas do you cover?
We cater across London and the South East, including East Sussex. Find your area.
Places near Steel Cross
What else we do in Steel Cross
Catering for every guest
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. A few tips:
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Tell us what role tapas play
Staff keep the canapés coming.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Steel Cross: venues and local tips
Steel Cross is about 1 mile north-east of Crowborough, in East Sussex. Tell us where your event in Steel Cross will be, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up. We cater in all 289 towns and villages across East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Brighton, about 21 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of All Saints, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Nearby historic houses include Groombridge Place (3.8 miles north). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. Steel Cross is within about 5 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Wherever your event is in TN6, we can cook for your guests. Whether your event is on Hindleap Avenue, Payne Close and Vachery Street or a nearby road, we can cook there. If your venue is just outside Steel Cross, we also cover Boarshead (1 mile north), Crowborough (1 mile south-west), Jarvis Brook (1 mile south), Marden's Hill (2 miles west) and Friar's Gate (2 miles west). Larger places within reach include Lewes (15 miles south-west), Hailsham (14 miles south), Uckfield (7 miles south-west), South Malling (15 miles south-west), Heathfield (7 miles south-east) and Southover (15 miles south-west).
A little further out are Crowborough War Memorial Hospital (1.3 miles south-west). Not far away are Crowborough Country Park.
- Nearby schools include Sir Henry Fermor Church of England Primary School (0.8 miles south-west)
- Pubs nearby include The Boars Head Inn (0.6 miles north-east)
Should I cook it myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
- 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