West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Three Bridges
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in Three Bridges. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Work receptions
- Engagement drinks
- Drinks parties and receptions
Live tapas catering in Three Bridges
Tapas catering in Three Bridges, made fresh on the day
We will suggest a selection to suit your timings and guests, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. On the menu are gambas al ajillo, patatas bravas and tortilla española, and we are regularly asked to cater birthday drinks and sharing tapas starters.
Around Three Bridges, tapas suit garden parties and village-hall celebrations. The paella is served straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
- Location
- Three Bridges (RH10)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
What tapas catering costs
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- The paellas you choose
- Guest numbers
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Parking and unloading
There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
Details that help
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- The date and time of the event
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can fill in our quote form.
Places near Three Bridges
More for events in Three Bridges
Space, weather and the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Space for a serving table or station
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
On the menu in Three Bridges
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
FAQs for Three Bridges
Is Three Bridges close to London?
About 27 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Could we have live paella in Grattons Park?
Only if the landowner, normally the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
How far ahead should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Peak dates go quickly, so it pays to ask early.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, where your guests can watch.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
How long do you need on site?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three covers most guests. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
Can you provide dessert?
We do. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices, or you can serve your own cake.
For event organisers in Three Bridges
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
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.
Should I cook it myself?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Who books tapas catering in Three Bridges?
Tapas get people talking.
We’re booked for all kinds of occasions in Three Bridges and nearby. Popular bookings include:
- Birthday drinks
- Sharing tapas starters
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Sharing boards for evening guests
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St Barnabas'.
Comparing caterers
- What happens if it rains
- Who provides the crockery
- When payment is due
- The deadline for final numbers
The menu, dish by dish
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Receptions and parties in Three Bridges
Three Bridges is about 1 mile east of Crawley, in West Sussex. For tapas catering in Three Bridges, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Three Bridges. We cook in 371 places in West Sussex. Our events stretch from Three Bridges to Brighton (20 miles away).
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Three Bridges, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Nearby historic houses include Gravetye Manor (4.9 miles south-east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
For tapas catering in RH10, we plan around your venue and timings. Local streets include Ash Road, Mill Road and North Road; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. If your venue is just outside Three Bridges, we also cover Pound Hill (1 mile north-east), Worth (1 mile south-east), Maidenbower (1 mile south-east), Tilgate (1 mile south-west) and Crawley (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include Horsham (8 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (9 miles south), Burgess Hill (11 miles south), East Grinstead (7 miles east), Billingshurst (14 miles south-west) and Bewbush (3 miles west).
Other landmarks nearby include Crawley Hospital (1.6 miles west) and Crawley Museum (1.2 miles west). Open spaces near Three Bridges include Tilgate Lake.
- Schools near Three Bridges include Hazelwick School (0.6 miles north) and Central Sussex College (0.9 miles west)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Snooty Fox pub (under half a mile north)
How it works
We get there well before serving, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Guests normally gather round to watch as the paella takes shape. A summer drinks reception in Three Bridges has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Check the venue allows live cooking
Getting a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Related guides
Dietary needs and planning tips
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Crockery and serving dishes.
- 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