Surrey · England
Tapas Catering for Abinger Hammer events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Abinger Hammer: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Cocktail parties
- Anniversary parties
- Launches and office parties
Tapas catering for Abinger Hammer events
How our tapas catering works in Abinger Hammer
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. Canapés go round while guests mingle, or table tapas go out to share. We cook Manchego with membrillo, albóndigas and patatas bravas, and we’re regularly asked to cater tapas and paella menus and office parties and launches.
For a country party near Abinger Hammer, tapas and sangria set the mood. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
Where we can cook in Abinger Hammer
We’ll be honest if a space will not work. What matters most:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- A spot for our serving station
- Unloading access
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in Abinger Hammer
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
What tapas catering costs
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- How many staff you need
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Your choice of paellas
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
What to tell us
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Which courses you have in mind
- Roughly how many adults and children
Not sure what you need yet? That’s fine: give us the basics about your event, and we will suggest a menu. Start when you’re ready: use our quote form.
Planners, venues and businesses
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Drinks receptions around Abinger Hammer
Abinger Hammer is about 5 miles west of Dorking, in Surrey. Across the RH5 area, we can bring the pans to you. Abinger Hammer is one of 395 places in Surrey we cover. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 6 miles away.
Historic houses near Abinger Hammer include Hatchlands Park (3.3 miles north-west) and Polesden Lacey (3.9 miles north-east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Gomshall station, about 0.5 miles north-west. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 2 miles of Abinger Hammer, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Here we cover the RH5 postcode area, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. Streets in the area include Guildford Road, Hackhurst Lane and Felday Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. If your venue is just outside Abinger Hammer, we also cover Gomshall (1 mile west), Hoe (1 mile south), Sutton Abinger (1 mile south), Abinger (1 mile south-east) and Shere (1 mile west). Within a short drive, we also cover Guildford (6 miles west), Woking (9 miles north-west), Camberley (15 miles north-west), Epsom (11 miles north-east), Horley (12 miles east) and Redhill (12 miles east).
Other landmarks nearby include St. Luke’s Hospital (5.7 miles west) and Shere Museum (1.3 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Leith Hill and Combe Bottom.
- Local pubs include Abinger Arms (less than half a mile north-west)
Towns and villages near Abinger Hammer
Also in Abinger Hammer
The menu, dish by dish
Tortilla española
Potato omelette served in wedges or squares.
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
How it works
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you can enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first as the rice is cooking. Evening receptions in Abinger Hammer stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Getting ready for the day
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
Getting a price
The quickest way to a quote is to send us your details through our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Related guides
Perfect for your event in Abinger Hammer
They work for any size of event.
If you are planning any of these, we can help:
- Anniversary parties
- Evening grazing
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Office parties and launches
A picnic in Colekitchen Down? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering.
Questions to ask before booking
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- How long the team stays
- How bad weather is handled
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
Common questions in Abinger Hammer
Which station should guests use for Abinger Hammer?
The closest is Gomshall station, roughly 0.5 miles away.
Can you cook at venues in the Surrey Hills National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll follow the site rules.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
Can you cook indoors?
Generally we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, while the rice is cooking.
How many tapas per person?
That depends on their role in the meal. Tell us about the event and we will suggest quantities.
Do you provide serving staff?
Staff make canapés work, which we can supply.
When do you arrive?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Catering for every guest
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Include staff for canapés
- Check diets in advance
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Why us?
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Served hot, straight from the pan
Read How we price Or What paella catering costs.
- 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