Surrey · England
Tapas Catering in Box Hill
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Box Hill. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Tapas starters
- Cocktail parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Tapas catering in Box Hill
Box Hill: venues and local tips
Box Hill is about 2 miles north-east of Dorking, in Surrey. Across the KT20 area, we can cook for your guests. Box Hill is one of 395 places in Surrey where we cook. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 12 miles away.
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St. Andrew's Church. Nearby historic houses include Polesden Lacey (3.9 miles west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. Box Hill is within about 2 miles of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Anywhere in KT20, we can bring tapas catering to you. From Boxhill Road, Usherwood Close and Fort Road or a nearby road, we can cook there. Close by, we cover events in Betchworth (1 mile south-east), Brockham (1 mile south), Buckland (1 mile south-east), Strood Green (2 miles south) and Headley (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Guildford (12 miles west), Woking (13 miles west), Epsom (6 miles north), Horley (7 miles south-east), Redhill (5 miles east) and Ewell (7 miles north).
Well-known places in the area include Headley Court (2.8 miles north) and Reigate Priory Museum (3.6 miles east). Not far away are Colley Hill and Reigate Heath.
Tapas catering in Box Hill, cooked live
Receptions, parties, office events and weddings all suit tapas in and around Box Hill. Popular choices include patatas bravas, albóndigas and gambas al ajillo, and we’re frequently booked for engagement drinks and welcome-drink canapés.
Near Box Hill, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
Prices and what affects them
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- How many staff you need
- Parking and unloading
- Guest numbers
- The paellas you choose
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We will send you a quote.
Getting an accurate quote
To check availability and price, we need:
- What the venue already provides
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The date and time of the event
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: send us your details through our quote form.
Places near Box Hill
More for events in Box Hill
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.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. 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.
Questions from Box Hill
Could we have live paella in Brockham Limeworks?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, normally the council. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
Is Box Hill close to London?
Roughly 19 miles from the centre of London.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
Will there be enough food?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.
When should we book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so it pays to ask early.
How much tapas do we need?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Tell us more for a suggestion.
How many different paellas?
Most events have two or three: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We will suggest a split based on your guests.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, if you need them. Tell us what your venue provides and we will include the rest in the quote.
Planning the cooking area
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Space on each table
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Venue approval for outside catering
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
What we offer
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
Paella compared with other options
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Why us?
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- We cover Box Hill and the whole of Surrey
- A clear, itemised quote
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
Read How we price And What paella catering costs.
Diets, allergies and planning
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Why choose tapas catering in Box Hill?
They work for any size of event.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We regularly cater:
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Engagement drinks
- Evening grazing
- Work receptions
A picnic in Brockham Limeworks? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering.
What to look for in a quote
- Who provides the crockery
- If the price includes VAT
- Space, access and power needs
- Whether travel is included
For planners, venues and organisers
Organising a club, school or community event in Box Hill? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
The process
The cooking is part of the entertainment. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring. At midsummer, it’s light in Box Hill until about 9:20pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- 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.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Preparing for the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
Ask for a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
- 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