Surrey · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Ashford, Surrey
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 turns food into part of your event in Ashford.
- Tapas before paella
- Birthday drinks
- Engagement drinks
Planning an event in Ashford?
How the day works
Expect a friendly, organised team. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up our cooking area, and get on with cooking and serving. Evening receptions in Ashford stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Preparing for the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Check the venue allows live cooking
Get a quote
It is easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Related guides
About our tapas catering in Ashford
Tapas are sharing food, made for conversation. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. Typical bookings include launches and office parties and evening grazing, with patatas bravas, Manchego with membrillo and croquetas.
In Ashford, tapas and paella together make a complete menu. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
Diets, allergies and planning
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Include staff for canapés
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
Afterwards, we clear away.
Serving boards and crockery.
Events we cater in Ashford
They make a perfect starter before paella.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In Ashford, people book us for occasions like:
- Anniversary parties
- Drinks reception canapés
- Table tapas as a starter
- Engagement celebrations
After a ceremony at a church such as Parish Church of St Matthew, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Comparing caterers
- How bad weather is handled
- If the price includes VAT
- How each diet is kept separate
- Travel and parking costs
A closer look at the menu
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
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.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What you get with us
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Events in Ashford and across Surrey
- A quote that spells everything out
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
Read How we price Or Our guide to catering costs.
Ashford: your questions answered
We’re having a ceremony at Parish Church of St Matthew: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is typically elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Which station should guests use for Ashford?
Ashford has its own station: Ashford Surrey station.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Yes, tapas work on their own.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, on request. Let us know your halal numbers, and we’ll cook a separate pan.
Can we add drinks?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you’re providing the drinks.
How much is live paella catering?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
How much paella per person?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
How long does the paella take?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
For planners, venues and organisers
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
Places near Ashford
Other catering in Ashford
Before you choose a spot
We’ll agree the cooking spot with you before the day. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- A spot for our serving station
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
What we offer
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
Planning a tapas spread in Ashford
Ashford is about 6 miles south of Hayes, in Surrey. We cater events at homes, gardens and venues in Ashford. We cover 395 places in Surrey. We cook right across the region, from Ashford to Guildford (14 miles away).
For guests coming by train, Ashford has its own station, Ashford Surrey station. Historic buildings near Ashford often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
Here we cover the TW15, TW19 and TW13 postcode area. We can cater an event on streets such as Church Road, Station Road and London Road or the roads around them. Being close to the A30 and A308, Ashford is easy for us to reach with everything for your event. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Littleton Common (1 mile south-east), Ashford Common (1 mile south-east), West Bedfont (1 mile north), Stanwell (2 miles north) and Hounslow (2 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Guildford (14 miles south), Woking (9 miles south-west), Camberley (13 miles south-west), Epsom (11 miles south-east), Ewell (11 miles south-east) and Egham (4 miles west).
Well-known places in the area include Ashford Hospital (0.7 miles north) and Spelthorne Museum (2.2 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Staines Reservoirs and Kempton Park Reservoirs.
- Schools near Ashford include Clarendon Primary School (under half a mile north) and Thomas Knyvett College (0.6 miles north-west)
- 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