Surrey · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Dormansland, Surrey
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Dormansland. We cook from scratch on site, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Drinks reception canapés
- Engagement parties
- Receptions and drinks parties
Live tapas catering in Dormansland
About our tapas catering in Dormansland
We can add sangria and bar staff, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. On the menu are croquetas, tortilla española and albóndigas, and typical bookings are for birthday and anniversary parties and tapas and paella menus.
For a country party near Dormansland, tapas and sangria set the mood. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, with each paella cooked in its own pan and clearly labelled.
Prices and what affects them
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- Whether you need crockery
- How many staff you need
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- How long we’re needed on site
Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so it helps to tell us about your venue. Everything is confirmed in writing.
What to tell us
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Where the event is
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Anything your venue supplies
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, send us your details through our quote form.
Planners, venues and businesses
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
If you are 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 can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Places near Dormansland
Also in Dormansland
Step by step
Expect a friendly, organised team. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up the pans and burners, and get on with cooking and serving. A summer drinks reception in Dormansland has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Preparing for the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Give us a contact for the day
How to get a price
To get a price, use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Read more
Tapas for events in Dormansland
Dormansland is about 3 miles north of East Grinstead, in Surrey. Anywhere in RH7, we’ll come to your venue or garden. We cover 395 places across Surrey, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Dormansland to London (24 miles away).
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Dormansland, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Historic houses near Dormansland include Hammerwood Park (3.2 miles south-east) and Saint Hill Manor (4.2 miles south). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Dormansland is within about 5 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Anywhere in RH7, we can bring tapas catering to you. Local streets include Dormans High Street, Locks Meadow and Newhache; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. If your venue is just outside Dormansland, we also cover Dormans Park (1 mile south-west), Lingfield (1 mile north-west), Felcourt (1 mile west), Lingfield Common (2 miles north-west) and Hammerwood (2 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Horley (8 miles west), Redhill (9 miles north-west), Reigate (10 miles north-west), Caterham (10 miles north-west), Dorking (15 miles west) and Oxted (6 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include Haxted Watermill Museum (2.2 miles north-east) and Hever Castle (5 miles east). Not far away are Hedgecourt Lake.
- Schools near Dormansland include Lingfield College (0.7 miles north)
- Pubs nearby include The Old House at Home (within half a mile south-west)
FAQs for Dormansland
Could we have live paella in Centenary Fields?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
What’s the nearest station to Dormansland for guests?
Dormans station, about 0.6 miles south-west of the centre.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Of course. We cook vegetarian and vegan paellas in their own pans.
Do you do starters?
Yes. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, while the rice is cooking.
Are the tapas fresh?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue so they’re served at their best.
Which areas do you serve?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
What about pudding?
We do. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices, or you can serve your own cake.
Do you provide serving staff?
Canapés work best with staff serving, which we can supply.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, so they fit most plans. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
Why Dormansland hosts choose us
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- A quote that spells everything out
- Catering across Surrey, including Dormansland
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
Take a look at How we price Or What paella catering costs.
Diets, allergies and planning
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Check diets in advance
- Add sangria or cava
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Label seafood clearly
Staff keep the canapés coming.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
What we need at the venue
Every venue is different, so we’ll ask about yours when you get in touch. Generally, we look for:
- Space for a serving table or station
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Access to unload near the serving area
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
On the menu in Dormansland
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
Events we cater in Dormansland
They make a perfect starter before paella.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In Dormansland, people book us for occasions like:
- Cocktail parties
- Table tapas as a starter
- Anniversary parties
- Drinks reception canapés
A picnic in Centenary Fields? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering.
What to look for in a quote
- Whether travel is included
- The deposit and payment dates
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- How long the team stays
DIY paella versus live catering
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
- 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