Surrey · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Esher, Surrey
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Esher and the surrounding area.
- Work receptions
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Evening grazing
Book tapas catering in Esher
About our tapas catering in Esher
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; table tapas suit seated meals. Lots of events do both. Typical bookings include sharing boards for evening guests and welcome-drink canapés, with croquetas, Serrano ham and albóndigas.
Around Esher, tapas suit garden parties and village-hall celebrations. You will know exactly what’s included before booking: the menu, the staff and any extras.
Before you choose a spot
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- Room for a tapas table
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Space on each table
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Menu ideas
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
Receptions and parties in Esher
Esher is about 5 miles north-west of Epsom, in Surrey. We cook at events in gardens, halls and venues around Esher and the surrounding area. We cater in 395 places across Surrey. We cook right across the region, from Esher to Guildford (about 12 miles away).
Historic buildings near Esher often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. Parks such as Claremont Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
This part of Surrey takes in KT10, KT7 and KT8. From High Street, Station Road and Warren Close or a nearby road, we’ll bring the pans to you. Main roads around Esher include the A244 and A307, so getting the burners and pans to your event is simple. Nearby, we also cater events in West End (1 mile south-west), Lower Green (1 mile north), Hinchley Wood (1 mile east), Claygate (1 mile south-east) and Weston Green (1 mile north-east). Further out, we also cater in Guildford (12 miles south-west), Woking (10 miles west), Epsom (5 miles south-east), Redhill (12 miles south-east), Ewell (5 miles east) and Egham (9 miles north-west).
Nearby you will also find Elmbridge Museum (under half a mile east) and Bentall Centre (3.9 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Jubilee Wood and The Lake.
- Schools near Esher include Esher Church School (within half a mile south) and Esher Church of England High School (0.5 miles north-west)
- Local pubs include Albert Arms (less than half a mile west)
- Local facilities include Municipal Borough of Surbiton (2.9 miles east)
What happens on the day
On the day, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so the timing is planned around your event. Sunset in Esher 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.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We pack down when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
Ask for a quote
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Planning help
What else we do in Esher
Organising for someone else?
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll explain how it works. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Esher? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we will suggest a menu.
Dishes our guests love
Tortilla española
Potato omelette cut into bites.
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside, often with ham or mushroom.
Esher questions
Could we have live paella in Claremont Park?
Only if the landowner, typically the council, allows it. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
We are having a ceremony at St George's Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Will there be enough food?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Tell us what else is being served. See how much paella per person.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Yes. Tapas can be booked without paella.
Do you cover Esher?
We do. Esher is one of the places we cover. Send us your date to check availability.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three is usual: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We’ll suggest a split based on your guests.
Do you provide serving staff?
Staff make canapés work, which we can supply.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
Paella compared with other options
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel special. Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
Why choose Love Paella in Esher
- A quote that spells everything out
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Catering across Surrey, including Esher
Read Our pricing Or What paella catering costs.
How we price tapas catering
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- How long we are needed on site
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Parking and unloading
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We’ll send you a quote.
What we need to know
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- Expected numbers
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Which courses you have in mind
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: send us your details through our quote form.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it is in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Perfect for your event in Esher
They’re ideal when a full meal doesn’t fit.
Big or small, live paella works well. Common bookings include:
- Anniversary parties
- Cocktail parties
- Evening grazing
- Tapas with a paella main course
For guests coming by train, Esher station is about 0.8 miles away.
Questions to ask before booking
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- When final numbers are due
- The deposit and payment dates
- Travel and parking 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