Greater London · England
Tapas Catering for Dagenham Dock events
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Dagenham Dock and the surrounding area.
- Tapas and paella menus
- Anniversary parties
- Sharing tapas starters
Planning an event in Dagenham Dock?
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Tapas catering for your event in Dagenham Dock
Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. Typical bookings include tapas and paella menus and drinks reception canapés, serving albóndigas, Manchego with membrillo and patatas bravas.
Tapas work well for receptions and parties in Dagenham Dock, indoors or out. Let us know about parking and loading. Timings are planned around your event, so the paella is ready when you want to eat.
- Location
- Dagenham Dock (RM9, SE28, IG11)
- County
- Greater London
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Dietary needs and planning tips
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Add sangria or cava
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Include staff for canapés
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Also near Dagenham Dock
More for events in Dagenham Dock
Why choose tapas catering in Dagenham Dock?
They suit standing receptions where a full meal does not fit.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Tapas and paella menus
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Engagement drinks
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St Martin's Church.
What your quote should include
- Payment terms and deposit
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- How late numbers can change
- A clear list of what’s included
Dagenham Dock questions
We are having a ceremony at St Martin's Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking generally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Which station should guests use for Dagenham Dock?
Dagenham Dock station, about 0.5 miles north of the centre.
When should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it is short notice, it is worth asking.
When do you arrive?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
How much is live paella catering?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
What happens if it rains?
We need a covered spot, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Are the tapas fresh?
We finish hot dishes on site; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
Do you cover Dagenham Dock?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, and Dagenham Dock is within our area and the rest of Greater London. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Drinks receptions around Dagenham Dock
Dagenham Dock is about 2 miles south-west of Dagenham, in Greater London. From the centre of Dagenham Dock to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Dagenham Dock is one of 764 towns and villages in Greater London we cover. Our nearest city page is London, about 10 miles away.
Historic buildings near Dagenham Dock frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. Nearby historic houses include Eastbury Manor House (2.1 miles north-west) and Rainham Hall (2.1 miles east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
We cater events across RM9, SE28 and IG11 and the streets around it. Local streets include Perry Road, Choats Road and Chequers Lane; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. We also cook at events in Dagenham Green (1 mile north-east), Hornchurch Marshes (1 mile east), Thamesmead (1 mile south-west), Beam Park (1 mile east) and Barking Riverside (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include London (10 miles west), City of Westminster (13 miles west), Marylebone (12 miles west), Kensington (15 miles west), St Pancras (11 miles west) and Shoreditch (9 miles west).
A little further out are Gallions Reach Shopping Park (2.7 miles west) and River (0.7 miles north-east). The countryside around Dagenham Dock includes Scrattons Eco Park.
- Local schools include Riverside School (0.9 miles west)
How it works
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Your guests are welcome to watch as the paella takes shape. Evening receptions in Dagenham Dock stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Before we arrive
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
Getting a price
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Live paella or other catering?
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Why choose Love Paella in Dagenham Dock
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
Read Our pricing Or The cost guide.
Prices and what affects them
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- The number of people
- The paellas you choose
- How many courses
- Waiting and bar staff
Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
What to tell us
To speed things up, tell us:
- What the venue already provides
- The venue or postcode
- A picture of where we’d cook
- 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 make suggestions. To start, use our quote form.
Where we can cook in Dagenham Dock
Before the day, we will agree where we cook. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Space for a serving table or station
- Space on each table
As a London location, Dagenham Dock is inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking takes planning: tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway.
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
Organising for someone else?
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
Events in public spaces, like parks, normally need permission. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
- 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