Surrey · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Claygate, Surrey
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Claygate. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Anniversary parties
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
Tapas catering in Claygate
About our tapas catering in Claygate
Sangria and bar staff can be added, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. We’re frequently asked to cater evening sharing boards and office parties and launches, serving patatas bravas, croquetas and albóndigas.
Tapas make a party in Claygate easy and sociable. You will know exactly what’s included before booking: the menu, the staff and any extras.
Drinks receptions around Claygate
Claygate is about 3 miles south-west of Surbiton, in Surrey. For an event in Claygate, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Claygate. Claygate is one of 395 towns and villages in Surrey where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Claygate to Guildford (about 13 miles away).
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Claygate, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Guests travelling by rail: Claygate station is in Claygate itself. Claygate is within about 8 miles of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Anywhere in KT10, we can cook for your guests. Whether your event is on Church Road, High Street and Station Road or a nearby road, we can cook there. Nearby, we also cater events in Barwell (1 mile south-east), Hinchley Wood (1 mile north), Esher (1 mile north-west), Hook (1 mile east) and Malden Rushett (2 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Guildford (13 miles south-west), Woking (11 miles west), Epsom (3 miles south-east), Horley (15 miles south-east), Redhill (11 miles south-east) and Ewell (4 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Municipal Borough of Surbiton (2.1 miles north-east) and The Ashley Centre (3.6 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include The Lake and Jubilee Wood.
- Nearby schools include Chessington Community College (1.3 miles east) and Milbourne Lodge School (1.3 miles west)
What we need at the venue
We’ll agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Unloading access
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Venue approval for outside catering
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
On the menu in Claygate
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
What’s in the pans
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Perfect for your event in Claygate
They’re easy to eat with a drink in hand.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Drinks reception canapés
- Table tapas as a starter
- Evening grazing
- Tapas with a paella main course
Parks such as Claygate Common have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
What to look for in a quote
- How each diet is kept separate
- Payment terms and deposit
- How long the team stays
- The deadline for final numbers
Nearby places to Claygate
Also in Claygate
Common questions in Claygate
Could we have live paella in Claygate Common?
Only if the landowner, typically the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
We are having a ceremony at Church of Holy Trinity: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Do you do starters?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Do you provide serving staff?
Canapés work best with staff serving, which we can supply.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, if you need them. Tell us what your venue provides and we’ll include the rest in the quote.
Is halal food available?
Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in a separate pan.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
How the day works
It is a relaxed, well-organised set-up. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up our cooking area, and get on with cooking and serving. Evening receptions in Claygate stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- 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.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- We pack down when service ends.
Before we arrive
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Leave space around the cooking area
Ask for a quote
It is easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We will send a clear, itemised quote.
Related guides
Planning for every diet
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Include staff for canapés
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
Tapas go out to the tables at the start of the meal.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
What tapas catering costs
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Parking and unloading
- The number of people
- Waiting and bar staff
The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
What we need to know
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Which courses you have in mind
- The date and rough timings
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Organising for someone else?
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
- 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