Surrey · England
Tapas Catering for Dockenfield events
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Dockenfield and across Surrey.
- Tapas and paella menus
- Sharing tapas starters
- Birthday drinks
Tapas catering in Dockenfield
How our tapas catering works in Dockenfield
Tapas pair naturally with a live paella, served while the paella cooks, but they work on their own too. We are often asked to cater evening sharing boards and birthday drinks, with Serrano ham, padrón peppers and patatas bravas.
Near Dockenfield, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. The paella is served straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and service is quick once it is ready.
DIY paella versus live catering
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Occasions we cook for in Dockenfield
They make a perfect starter before paella.
In Dockenfield and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Some of the most common are:
- Tapas before paella
- Tapas starters
- Anniversary parties
- Evening sharing boards
Historic buildings near Dockenfield frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue.
Comparing caterers
- The venue requirements
- How late numbers can change
- If the price includes VAT
- Exactly what’s included in the price
Paella compared with other options
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Why book with us
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- We cover Dockenfield and the whole of Surrey
See Our prices page And The cost guide.
Before you choose a spot
If a space is not suitable, we’ll tell you, and suggest an alternative. What matters most:
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Unloading access
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
Planning for every diet
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Collect dietary needs
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Waiting staff for canapés.
Drinks receptions around Dockenfield
Dockenfield is about 4 miles south of Farnham, in Surrey. For tapas catering in Dockenfield, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Dockenfield. Dockenfield is one of 395 towns and villages 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 The Church Of The Good Shepherd. Nearby historic houses include Farnham Castle (4.1 miles north). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Dockenfield, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Anywhere in GU10, we can cook for your guests. Whether your event is on The Street and Lake Lane or a nearby road, we can cook there. If your venue is just outside Dockenfield, we also cover Batt's Corner (1 mile north-west), Frithend (1 mile west), Wishanger Common (1 mile south-east), Bucks Horn Oak (1 mile north-west) and Rowledge (2 miles north). Further out, we also cater in Guildford (12 miles north-east), Woking (15 miles north-east), Camberley (13 miles north), Farnham (4 miles north), Frimley (11 miles north) and Haslemere (7 miles south-east).
Nearby you will also find Powderham Castle (4 miles north) and Chase Community Hospital (4.1 miles south-west). The countryside around Dockenfield includes Farnham Heath.
Planners, venues and businesses
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.
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will talk you through the process. We are happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Places near Dockenfield
Other catering in Dockenfield
How we price tapas catering
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Timings and hours
- The number of people
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What we need to know
To check availability and price, we need:
- Anything your venue supplies
- The venue or postcode
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- A picture of the space, if you can
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Dockenfield? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll come back with ideas and a quote. Just use our quote form.
Step by step
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 while your guests chat. Sunset in Dockenfield is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
Ask for a quote
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Dockenfield questions
Do you come out to small places like Dockenfield?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
We are having a ceremony at The Church Of The Good Shepherd: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Courtyards, doorways and terraces frequently work.
How soon do we need to book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so it pays to ask early.
Do you cater for young children?
Yes. Children frequently love a simple chicken paella. Tell us how many are coming.
What does tapas catering cost?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
How much tapas do we need?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Give us the details for a suggestion.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.
- 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