Greater London · England
Tapas Catering for Friern Barnet events
Something for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Friern Barnet.
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Evening sharing boards
- Engagement celebrations
Tapas catering in Friern Barnet
Tapas catering in Friern Barnet, cooked live
A good spread mixes hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. Popular choices include tortilla española, padrón peppers and albóndigas, and we’re often booked for work receptions and engagement celebrations.
In Friern Barnet, tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties and work events, indoors or out. Tell us about access and parking. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, not reheated, and served the moment it’s ready.
- Area
- Friern Barnet (N11, N12, N10, N20)
- Area hub
- Greater London
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
How it works
When we arrive, we set up our cooking area, light the burners and start the sofrito. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so we time everything to your schedule. Evening receptions in Friern Barnet stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Preparing for the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Ask for a quote
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll make suggestions. Start when you are ready: fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. A caterer handles all of that.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. 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.
Planners, venues and businesses
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Events in public spaces, like parks, normally need permission. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
What tapas catering costs
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- How long we are needed on site
- The paellas you choose
- How many staff you need
- How many courses
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Getting an accurate quote
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The date and rough timings
- Which courses you have in mind
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Friern Barnet? Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back with ideas and a quote. To get in touch, use our quote form.
What’s in the pans
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free when made carefully.
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Tapas for events in Friern Barnet
Friern Barnet is about 2 miles north-east of Finchley, in Greater London. Whether your event is in the middle of Friern Barnet or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Friern Barnet is one of 764 places in Greater London we cover. Our nearest city page is London, about 8 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Heath Hall (2.7 miles south) and Athlone House (2.9 miles south). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Historic buildings near Friern Barnet frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue.
Here we cover the N11, N12, N10 and N20 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. Your event could be at a home on Martock Gardens, Shapwick Close and Radstock Close. Friern Barnet sits on or near the A406 and B550, so getting the burners and pans to your event is simple. Neighbouring places where we cater events include New Southgate (1 mile east), Brunswick Park (1 mile north), North Finchley (1 mile west), Arnos Grove (1 mile east) and Whetstone (1 mile north-west). Larger places within reach include London (8 miles south), City of Westminster (7 miles south), Marylebone (7 miles south), Kensington (8 miles south), St Pancras (6 miles south) and Shoreditch (7 miles south-east).
Well-known places in the area include Coppetts Wood Hospital (0.7 miles south) and Municipal Borough of Finchley (1.5 miles south-west). Open spaces near Friern Barnet include Highgate Hill and Darland's Lake.
- Local schools include Friern Barnet School (less than half a mile north) and Woodhouse College (0.7 miles west)
- Other local spots include Francis Skaryna Belarusian Library and Museum (1.4 miles west)
Planning for every diet
Most events have a mix of diets. To cater well for them:
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Collect dietary needs
Canapés go round with the drinks as guests arrive.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
Your questions about tapas catering in Friern Barnet
We are having a ceremony at St John's Church: can you cater afterwards?
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. Send us the reception address.
Can you cook in Friary Park?
Only if the landowner, normally the council, allows it. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
How do you work out quantities?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Tell us what else is being served. See how much paella per person.
Is the paella gluten-free?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
How far ahead should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it is short notice, it’s worth asking.
Can you bring crockery?
If you need them, yes. Proper crockery or quality disposables can be added to your booking.
Do you do starters?
Of course. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, while the rice is cooking.
Can you serve drinks?
We can make sangria, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
Is live paella right for your event?
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We’ll send you a quote.
Why choose Love Paella in Friern Barnet
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Events in Friern Barnet and across Greater London
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
Read How we price Or What paella catering costs.
Before you choose a spot
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We need:
- Unloading access
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Space for a serving table or station
As a London location, Friern Barnet is inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking takes planning: tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway.
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
Towns and villages near Friern Barnet
More for events in Friern Barnet
- 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