Live paella catering, cooked fresh at your event · London and the South East
A spread of tapas on wooden boards with glasses of red wine

Greater London · England

Tapas & canapé catering in Coldblow, Greater London

From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella turns food into part of your event in Coldblow.

  • Tapas starters
  • Welcome-drink canapés
  • Tapas before paella

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Planning an event in Coldblow?

Tapas catering in Coldblow, cooked live

We will suggest a selection to suit your timings and guests, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. For tapas starters and engagement celebrations, we can cook tortilla española, patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo and more.

In Coldblow, tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties and work events, in a home, a venue or an office. Let us know about parking and loading. Timings are planned around your event, so the paella is ready when you want to eat.

Where
Coldblow (DA5)
Area hub
Greater London
Diets
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
Extras
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
Quote
Ask us for a quote
Page updated
23 October 2026
A spread of tapas on wooden boards with glasses of red wine

How the day works

We get there well before serving, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Your guests are welcome to watch while it cooks. A summer drinks reception in Coldblow has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:50pm.

  1. Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
  2. We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
  3. On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
  4. Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
  5. We clear away our equipment when service is finished.

Preparing for the day

  • Have a level space ready for the pans
  • Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
  • 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’ll confirm whether we are available that day.

Tell us about your event

Related guides

Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?

Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.

Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.

Why choose tapas catering in Coldblow?

They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.

If you’re planning any of these, we can help:

  • Sharing boards for evening guests
  • Work receptions
  • Tapas starters
  • Drinks reception canapés

Guests travelling by rail: Bexley station is about 0.6 miles away.

Comparing caterers

  • How bad weather is handled
  • Whether travel is included
  • What the price includes, item by item
  • Allergen information for each dish

How to compare caterers

Space, weather and the venue

We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:

  • An area to prepare hot tapas
  • Room on tables for sharing dishes
  • The venue’s agreement to outside caterers

Coldblow is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.

Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before you book.

Popular choices

  • Croquetas
  • Padrón peppers
  • Olives & bread
  • Tortilla española
  • Gambas al ajillo
  • Manchego & membrillo
  • Serrano ham
  • Albóndigas
  • Chorizo in red wine
  • Patatas bravas

See the full menu

What’s in the pans

Tortilla española

A vegetarian favourite.

Manchego & membrillo

Manchego with sweet quince.

Coldblow: venues and local tips

Coldblow is about 3 miles east of Sidcup, in Greater London. Whether your event is in the middle of Coldblow or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Coldblow is one of 764 towns and villages in Greater London where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Coldblow to London (12 miles away).

Nearby historic houses include Hall Place and Gardens (0.7 miles north) and Red House (1.9 miles north-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. Historic buildings near Coldblow often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. Coldblow is within about 8 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.

We cater events across the DA5 postcode area and the streets around it. Local streets include St Mary's Road, Dartford Road and Wansunt Road; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. We also cook at events in Joyden's Wood (1 mile south-east), Bowmans (1 mile east), North Cray (1 mile south-west), Crayford (1 mile north-east) and Wilmington (1 mile south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as London (12 miles west), City of Westminster (15 miles west), Marylebone (14 miles north-west), St Pancras (14 miles north-west), Shoreditch (12 miles north-west) and Walthamstow (13 miles north-west).

A little further out are Bexley Museum (0.7 miles north) and Bexley Hospital (1.9 miles north-west). The countryside around Coldblow includes Wansunt Pit and Summer Hill.

  • Nearby schools include Beths Grammar School (0.8 miles north-west) and St Columba's Catholic Boys' School (1 mile north)
  • Local pubs include The Old Wick pub (under half a mile west)
  • Local facilities include Colyers (2.4 miles north)
Map of Coldblow © OpenStreetMap contributors

Diets, allergies and planning

Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Here’s how:

  • Tell us what role tapas play
  • Label seafood clearly
  • Collect dietary needs
  • Match tapas with Spanish drinks

Each dish is labelled.

Add a live paella main.

Organising for someone else?

Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.

Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.

Common questions in Coldblow

Can you cook in Braeburn Park?

Only with permission from the park’s owner, normally the council. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.

Which station should guests use for Coldblow?

Bexley station, about 0.6 miles west of the centre.

Do you serve drinks with tapas?

Sangria and bar staff can be added.

How far ahead should we book?

As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.

Do you cater for coeliacs?

Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.

Which areas do you serve?

We cover London and the South East, Greater London included. See all areas.

Who clears up?

We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.

Do you supply canapé staff?

Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to carry them round.

Live paella or other catering?

Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.

Why Coldblow hosts choose us

  • Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
  • Drinks service on request
  • Waiting staff and crockery on request
  • A quote that spells everything out

Take a look at Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.

  • 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

See the menu · How it works · Get a quote