Surrey · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Abinger, Surrey
Something for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Abinger.
- Anniversary parties
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Work receptions
Planning an event in Abinger?
A closer look at the menu
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat, often with ham or mushroom.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
About our tapas catering in Abinger
Tapas pair naturally with a live paella, served while the paella cooks, but they’re great on their own. Whether it is engagement celebrations and drinks reception canapés, we can cook gambas al ajillo, Serrano ham and tortilla española and more.
Near Abinger, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
Also near Abinger
What else we do in Abinger
Prices and what affects them
Every event is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- How many courses
- Whether you need crockery
- How many staff you need
- The length of service
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What to tell us
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- The date and time of the event
Not sure what you need yet? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: use our quote form.
Common questions in Abinger
Do you come out to small places like Abinger?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Can you cook in Wotton and Abinger Commons?
Only if the landowner, usually the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
Can we add drinks?
We can add sangria and bar staff.
Which areas do you serve?
We cater across London and the South East, including Surrey. See all areas.
Do you cook inside?
Typically we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, because we use gas burners. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. We arrive with everything we need and cook it there and then, serving it hot from the pan.
How much paella per person?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Perfect for your event in Abinger
Tapas are sociable food.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Typical bookings include:
- Table tapas as a starter
- Evening sharing boards
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Work receptions
A picnic in Wotton and Abinger Commons? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is frequently easier for catering.
What to look for in a quote
- What the price includes, item by item
- The wet-weather plan
- If the price includes VAT
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
Abinger: venues and local tips
Abinger is about 4 miles south-west of Dorking, in Surrey. From the centre of Abinger to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cater in all 395 towns and villages in Surrey. Our events stretch from Abinger to Guildford (about 8 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Polesden Lacey (3.9 miles north-east) and Hatchlands Park (4.5 miles north-west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Gomshall station, about 1.7 miles north-west. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 3 miles of Abinger, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Tapas catering in RH5 is planned around your venue and your guests. Local streets include Raikes Lane, Sutton Lane and Abinger Lane; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. If your venue is just outside Abinger, we also cover Sutton Abinger (1 mile west), Abinger Hammer (1 mile north-west), Hoe (1 mile west), Gomshall (2 miles north-west) and Shere (3 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Guildford (8 miles west), Woking (10 miles north-west), Epsom (11 miles north-east), Horley (11 miles east), Redhill (11 miles east) and Ewell (12 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Abinger Castle (under half a mile south-east) and Mesolithic Museum (less than half a mile south). The countryside around Abinger includes Leith Hill and Combe Bottom.
- Nearby schools include Hurtwood House (2.3 miles south)
- Pubs nearby include The Abinger Hatch Public House (within half a mile south-east)
DIY paella versus live catering
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Before you choose a spot
We will agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Room for a tapas table
- Space to finish hot dishes
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Popular choices
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
What happens on the day
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Your guests are welcome to watch as the paella takes shape. At midsummer, it’s light in Abinger until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
Preparing for the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
How to get a price
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Is live paella right for your event?
Generic canapés all look the same. Tapas bring something different. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why Abinger hosts choose us
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
Read Our prices page And What paella catering costs.
Organising for someone else?
Events in public spaces, like parks, usually need permission. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Organising a club, school or community event in Abinger? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
- 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