Greater London · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Ashburton, Greater London
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Ashburton and Greater London, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Drinks reception canapés
- Birthday drinks
Tapas catering for Ashburton events
Tapas catering in Ashburton, cooked live
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, as a starter while the rice cooks, but they’re great on their own. Whether it’s engagement drinks and launches and office parties, we will put together a menu of padrón peppers, gambas al ajillo and tortilla española and more.
Canapé tapas suit smaller London spaces in Ashburton. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, never made in advance and reheated, and served the moment it’s ready.
- Area
- Ashburton (CR0, SE25, CR9)
- Area hub
- Greater London
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning the cooking area
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Space on each table
- Room for a tapas table
Ashburton is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
Menu ideas
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
Perfect for your event in Ashburton
Tapas are sociable food.
Whatever you are celebrating in Ashburton, paella can be the star of the food. We frequently cook for:
- Evening grazing
- Cocktail parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Work receptions
Historic buildings near Ashburton often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
What to look for in a quote
- A clear list of what’s included
- When payment is due
- Space, access and power needs
- Allergen information for each dish
Ashburton: venues and local tips
Ashburton is about 6 miles south of New Cross, in Greater London. From the centre of Ashburton to the outskirts, we offer the same service: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Ashburton is one of 764 places in Greater London where we cook. Our nearest city page is London, about 8 miles away.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Norwood Junction station, about 0.7 miles north-west. After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Luke, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Anywhere in CR0, SE25 and CR9, we can cook for your guests. We can cater an event on streets such as Long Lane, Tudor Road and Coe Avenue. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Woodside (1 mile north), Addiscombe (1 mile south), Shirley Oaks (1 mile south-east), Monks Orchard (1 mile south-east) and Shirley (1 mile south-east). Larger places within reach include London (8 miles north), City of Westminster (9 miles north-west), Marylebone (10 miles north), Kensington (10 miles north-west), St Pancras (10 miles north) and Shoreditch (10 miles north).
Well-known places in the area include Whitgift Centre (1.6 miles south-west) and Addiscombe (0.7 miles south-west). Not far away are Duppas Hill and Bramley Bank.
- Schools near Ashburton include Oasis Academy Shirley Park (within half a mile south-east)
- Local pubs include The Beehive pub (less than half a mile west)
Should I cook it myself?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Ashburton questions
Could we have live paella in Ashburton Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
Which station should guests use for Ashburton?
The closest is Norwood Junction station, roughly 0.7 miles away.
When should we book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so it pays to ask early.
What does tapas catering cost?
We quote for each event, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
Which areas do you serve?
We cover London and the South East, including Greater London. See all areas.
Can you cook in the rain?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We will talk it through before the day.
What do you need at the venue?
Not a lot: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. If in doubt, send a photo.
How much paella per person?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Tell us what else is being served. See how much paella per person.
Paella compared with other options
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel special. Larger events typically cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why choose Love Paella in Ashburton
- A quote that spells everything out
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Fast service from the pan
See Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Catering for every guest
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Add sangria or cava
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Tell us what role tapas play
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Sangria and bar staff.
What tapas catering costs
These are the factors that matter most:
- How many guests are eating
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- The length of service
- How many staff you need
Got a budget? Let us know, and we will suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
What we need to know
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Your date and when you want to eat
- The courses you’d like
- Expected numbers
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, use our quote form.
Step by step
A typical event goes like this: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, your guests watch the rice cook, and it’s served hot from the pan when you are ready to eat. A summer drinks reception in Ashburton has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
How to prepare
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
Getting a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
Related guides
Nearby places to Ashburton
Also in Ashburton
For planners, venues and organisers
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
- 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