Surrey · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Blackheath, Surrey
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in Blackheath. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, then served hot from the pan.
- Engagement parties
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Cocktail parties
Book tapas catering in Blackheath
A closer look at the menu
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat, often with ham or mushroom.
Tapas catering in Blackheath, cooked live
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; for seated meals, table tapas. Many events have both. On the menu are Serrano ham, padrón peppers and Manchego with membrillo, and we are frequently booked for tapas and paella menus and cocktail parties.
In a rural spot like Blackheath, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
Who books tapas catering in Blackheath?
Tapas are sociable food.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Tapas starters
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Chilworth station, about 0.6 miles north.
Comparing caterers
- Payment terms and deposit
- Allergen information for each dish
- What the price includes, item by item
- The wet-weather plan
Where we can cook in Blackheath
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but a few things matter:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Venue approval for outside catering
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
Receptions and parties in Blackheath
Blackheath is about 4 miles south-east of Guildford, in Surrey. Give us the address of your event in Blackheath, and we will plan access and set-up. Blackheath is one of 395 places in Surrey where we cook.
Historic houses near Blackheath include Chilworth Manor (1.1 miles north) and Guildford Castle (2.9 miles north-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. If you are looking at a historic venue around Blackheath, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Blackheath is within about 3 miles of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
For tapas catering in GU4, we plan around your venue and timings. For events just outside Blackheath, we cover Chilworth (1 mile north-west), East Shalford (2 miles north-west), Shalford (2 miles west), Broadford (2 miles west) and Peasmarsh (3 miles west). Larger places within reach include Guildford (4 miles north-west), Woking (8 miles north), Camberley (13 miles north-west), Epsom (14 miles north-east), Horley (15 miles east) and Farnham (12 miles west).
Well-known places in the area include Guildford Castle (2.9 miles north-west) and Shere Museum (2.8 miles east). Not far away are St Martha's Hill and St Martha's Hill and Colyer's Hanger.
- Pubs nearby include The Percy Arms (0.7 miles north)
Step by step
The cooking is part of the entertainment. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook while your guests chat. At midsummer, it’s light in Blackheath until about 9:20pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
How to prepare
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
Ask for a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we’re available that day.
Planning help
Working with your venue
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Is live paella right for your event?
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas work brilliantly. The cost per head normally falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Why us?
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- We cover Blackheath and the whole of Surrey
- A quote that spells everything out
Also in Blackheath
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and do not stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
Common questions in Blackheath
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.
What’s the nearest station to Blackheath for guests?
Chilworth station, about 0.6 miles north of the centre.
Can we add drinks?
Sangria and bar staff can be added.
Do you do desserts?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
How soon do we need to book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it is short notice, it’s worth asking.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Of course. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
Are the tapas fresh?
We finish hot dishes on site; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
How do you work out quantities?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Give us the details and we will advise.
Planning for every diet
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Collect dietary needs
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Sangria and bar staff.
- 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