Greater London · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Elmstead, Greater London
Something for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Elmstead.
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Evening grazing
- Engagement drinks
Book tapas catering in Elmstead
Perfect for your event in Elmstead
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Engagement parties
- Office parties and launches
- Cocktail parties
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Elmstead, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Before you book anyone
- When payment is due
- The deadline for final numbers
- The venue requirements
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
Tapas catering in Elmstead, cooked live
Receptions, parties, office events and weddings all suit tapas. We’re frequently asked to cater sharing boards for evening guests and cocktail parties, with gambas al ajillo, tortilla española and patatas bravas.
Canapé tapas suit smaller London spaces in Elmstead. We serve straight from the pan, so it’s hot and generous, and service is quick once it’s ready.
- Location
- Elmstead (BR7, BR1, SE9)
- Area hub
- Greater London
- Dietary options
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Why choose live paella in Elmstead?
Generic canapés all look the same. Tapas bring something different. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Why book with us
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- We cover Elmstead and the whole of Greater London
Take a look at Our prices page Or Our guide to catering costs.
Nearby places to Elmstead
Other catering in Elmstead
How it works
The paella is cooked in huge, shallow pans over gas burners. We need a level, ventilated spot, and we agree where that is before the day. Evening receptions in Elmstead 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.
Getting ready for the day
- Give us a contact for the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Plan cover in case of rain
Get a quote
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, use our quote form.
Read more
Before you choose a spot
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Parking near the venue
Elmstead is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway.
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
On the menu in Elmstead
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
Organising for someone else?
Hosting 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.
If you’re organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we’ll work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
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.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and do not stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Receptions and parties in Elmstead
Elmstead is about 1 mile west of Chislehurst, in Greater London. Give us the address of your event in Elmstead, and we’ll plan access and set-up before the day. We cater in all 764 towns and villages across Greater London. You can also see our page for London, about 9 miles away.
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Christ Church. A picnic in Elmstead Wood? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering.
This part of Greater London takes in BR7, BR1 and SE9, so your event can be anywhere in it. Streets in the area include Yester Road, Walden Road and Downs Avenue, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Chislehurst (1 mile east), Bickley (1 mile south), Widmore (1 mile south), Sundridge (1 mile west) and Coldharbour (1 mile north). We also cook in nearby towns such as London (9 miles north-west), City of Westminster (11 miles north-west), Marylebone (11 miles north-west), Kensington (12 miles north-west), St Pancras (11 miles north-west) and Shoreditch (9 miles north-west).
Nearby you’ll also find Municipal Borough of Bromley (1.8 miles south-west) and The Glades (1.6 miles south-west). Open spaces near Elmstead include Summer Hill and The Tarn.
- Schools near Elmstead include Red Hill Primary School (0.7 miles north-east) and Holy Trinity College Bromley (1 mile west)
- Nearby, you will find The Queens Head pub (0.8 miles east)
Elmstead: your questions answered
Can you cater a reception after a service at Christ Church?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is usually elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you cook in Elmstead Wood?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, generally the council. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
How soon do we need to book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Even if it is short notice, it’s worth asking.
Where do you cater?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
What do you need at the venue?
Not a lot: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. If in doubt, send a picture.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Lots. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. We arrive with everything we need and cook on the day, serving it hot from the pan.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
Catering for every guest
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Label seafood clearly
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
Afterwards, we clear away.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
How we price tapas catering
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Your choice of paellas
- Guest numbers
- How long we’re needed on site
- Starters, canapés and desserts
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Getting an accurate quote
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but these help:
- Your date and when you want to eat
- The venue or postcode
- What the venue already provides
- The courses you’d like
Planning tapas catering in Elmstead? Send us the details and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. To get in touch, use our quote form.
- 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