Greater London · England
Tapas Catering in Derry Downs
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Derry Downs: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests.
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Office parties and launches
- Tapas starters
Planning an event in Derry Downs?
Prices and what affects them
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Your choice of paellas
- Guest numbers
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Details that help
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- What the venue already provides
- The date and time of the event
- A picture of where we’d cook
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can send us your details through our quote form.
About our tapas catering in Derry Downs
For standing receptions, canapés work best; table tapas suit seated meals. Many events have both. Typical bookings include sharing tapas starters and tapas and paella menus, with gambas al ajillo, tortilla española and croquetas.
Canapé tapas suit smaller London spaces in Derry Downs. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
- Location
- Derry Downs (BR5, BR6)
- County
- Greater London
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
The process
Here’s how the day generally runs: we arrive, set up and start cooking, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and we serve straight from the pan when you are ready to eat. Evening receptions in Derry Downs stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
Getting a price
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Derry Downs? Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back with ideas and a quote. Just fill in our quote form.
Read more
DIY paella versus live catering
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Planning the cooking area
Every venue is different, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- A spot for our serving station
- Space on each table
Derry Downs is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
What we offer
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
Why choose live paella in Derry Downs?
Generic canapés all look the same. Tapas bring something different. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Why book with us
- A clear, itemised quote
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
See Our pricing And The cost guide.
Derry Downs: your questions answered
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Andrew's?
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.
Which station should guests use for Derry Downs?
St Mary Cray station, about 0.8 miles north-west of the centre.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas first, paella to follow.
How long do you need on site?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
What does tapas catering cost?
We quote for each event, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers and we’ll reply with a price.
What do you need at the venue?
Less than you might think: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. If in doubt, send a photo.
Are the tapas served hot?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue.
Do you provide drinks?
Yes, sangria. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Planners, venues and businesses
Throwing a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
About the dishes
Patatas bravas
Always popular and normally vegetarian.
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Derry Downs: venues and local tips
Derry Downs is about 1 mile east of Orpington, in Greater London. For an event in Derry Downs, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. Derry Downs is one of 764 places in Greater London where we cook. Our nearest city page is London, about 12 miles away.
Historic houses near Derry Downs include Lullingstone Castle (3.9 miles south-east) and Bromley Palace (4.3 miles west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. For guests coming by train, St Mary Cray station is about 0.8 miles away. Derry Downs is within about 5 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
For tapas catering in BR5 and BR6, we plan around your venue and timings. Your event could be at a home on Kent Road, Park Road and Cross Road or the roads around them. Derry Downs is on the A224, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. If your venue is just outside Derry Downs, we also cover Orpington (1 mile west), St Mary Cray (1 mile north-west), Poverest (1 mile north-west), Kevington (1 mile east) and St Paul's Cray (1 mile north). Within a short drive, we also cover London (12 miles north-west), City of Westminster (15 miles north-west), Marylebone (15 miles north-west), St Pancras (14 miles north-west), Shoreditch (13 miles north-west) and Walthamstow (15 miles north-west).
A little further out are London Borough of Bromley Museum (0.7 miles south-west) and Lullingstone Castle (3.9 miles south-east). The countryside around Derry Downs includes The Warren and Summer Hill.
- Schools near Derry Downs include The Priory School (0.6 miles south) and Harris Academy Orpington (0.7 miles south)
- Pubs nearby include The Royal Albert pub (within half a mile west)
Diets, allergies and planning
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Check diets in advance
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Add a live paella main.
Also near Derry Downs
Also in Derry Downs
- 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