Surrey · England
Tapas Catering in Downside
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Downside and the surrounding area.
- Launches and office parties
- Tapas and paella menus
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Planning an event in Downside?
Tapas catering in Downside, cooked live
We can add sangria and bar staff, for a complete drinks and tapas package. For birthday drinks and sharing tapas starters, we can cook padrón peppers, albóndigas and Serrano ham.
In a rural spot like Downside, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated, and served as soon as it is ready.
Step by step
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you are free to enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first while the paella cooks. At midsummer, it’s light in Downside until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Preparing for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Tell us when you want to eat
Ask for a quote
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we’re available that day.
Related guides
Planning the cooking area
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- A spot for our serving station
- Space on each table
- Unloading access
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
What we offer
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
More for events in Downside
Occasions we cook for in Downside
They cover lots of tastes and diets in one spread.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Work receptions
- Drinks reception canapés
- Engagement celebrations
- Tapas before paella
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St Michael's Chapel.
Comparing caterers
- Allergen information for each dish
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- What happens if it rains
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
FAQs for Downside
What’s the nearest station to Downside for guests?
The closest is Cobham & Stoke Dabernon station, roughly 1 mile away.
Is Downside close to London?
About 19 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Where do you cater?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Downside.
How many tapas per person?
We plan quantities around your timings and courses. Tell us more for a suggestion.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Courtyards, doorways and terraces often work.
How many paellas should we have?
Usually two or three, so every guest has a choice. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and meat eaters often go back for seconds. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
How much does tapas catering cost in Downside?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
Dishes our guests love
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Planning a tapas spread in Downside
Downside is about 4 miles west of Leatherhead, in Surrey. We cook at events in homes, gardens and venues in Downside and nearby villages. We cater in all 395 towns and villages in Surrey. We cook right across the region, from Downside to Guildford (about 8 miles away).
Guests travelling by rail: Cobham & Stoke Dabernon station is about 1 mile away. Historic buildings near Downside frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Downside, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
For tapas catering in KT11, we plan around your venue and timings. Streets in the area include Downside Common, Downsview Close and Deacon Close, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Hatchford (1 mile west), Martyr's Green (1 mile south-west), Hatchford End (2 miles west), Whiteley Village (3 miles north) and Wisley (3 miles west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Guildford (8 miles south-west), Woking (7 miles west), Camberley (14 miles west), Epsom (6 miles east), Horley (14 miles south-east) and Redhill (12 miles south-east).
A little further out are Epsom Cottage Hospital (5.1 miles north-east) and Send and Ripley History Society Museum (3.8 miles west). The countryside around Downside includes Jubilee Wood and Boldermere Lake.
- Nearby schools include Parkside School (1.2 miles east)
- Nearby, you will find The Plough Public House (0.7 miles north)
Working with your venue
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will explain how it works. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
Planning for every diet
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Label seafood clearly
- Check diets in advance
- Canapés need staff to serve
Canapés circulate with drinks.
Serving boards and crockery.
Live paella or other catering?
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel special. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We’ll send you a quote.
Why book with us
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Catering across Surrey, including Downside
Read How we price Or 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