Surrey · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Godalming, Surrey
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Godalming and the surrounding area.
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Sharing tapas starters
- Engagement parties
Planning an event in Godalming?
Tapas for events in Godalming
Godalming is about 5 miles south of Guildford, in Surrey. Events in Godalming are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cover 395 places across Surrey, from the larger towns to small villages.
For guests coming by train, Godalming station is in Godalming itself. After a ceremony at a church such as St Edmund Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Godalming is within about 7 miles of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Wherever your event is in GU7 and GU8, we can bring tapas catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Whether your event is on High Street, Station Road and Market Mews or anywhere nearby, we’ll bring the pans to you. With the A3100 and B2130 close by, Godalming is easy for us to reach. Nearby, we also cater events in Aaron's Hill (1 mile west), Busbridge (1 mile south-east), Farncombe (1 mile north), Tuesley (1 mile south) and Upper Eashing (1 mile west). Within a short drive, we also cover Guildford (5 miles north), Woking (9 miles north), Camberley (11 miles north-west), Farnham (8 miles west), Dorking (13 miles east) and Frimley (10 miles north-west).
A little further out are Guildford Castle (3.9 miles north-east) and Godalming Museum (within half a mile north). Open spaces near Godalming include Frith Hill and Farncombe Wood.
- Schools near Godalming include St Hilary's School (less than half a mile south-west) and Godalming College (0.5 miles south)
- Local pubs include The Richmond Arms Public House (less than half a mile west)
Tapas catering in Godalming, cooked live
For standing receptions, canapés work best; table tapas suit seated meals. Lots of events do both. We cook albóndigas, tortilla española and Manchego with membrillo, and we are regularly asked to cater canapés with welcome drinks and sharing tapas starters.
Tapas make a party in Godalming easy and sociable. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
The menu, dish by dish
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
What tapas catering costs
Your quote will be clear and itemised. The main things that affect it are:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- The number of people
- Distance and access to the venue
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
Details that help
To check availability and price, we need:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Expected numbers
- What the venue already provides
- The address or venue name
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, fill in our quote form.
Catering for every guest
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Ask for labels on each dish
Canapés circulate with drinks as guests arrive.
Staff to serve canapés.
What happens on the day
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you are free to enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first as the rice is cooking. Evening receptions in Godalming stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
How to prepare
- Give us a contact for the day
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
How to get a price
The quickest way to a quote is to send us your details through our quote form. Tell us about your event in Godalming, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Read more
Planning the cooking area
We will be honest if a space won’t work. What matters most:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Access to unload near the serving area
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think before booking.
Menu ideas
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and do not stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
FAQs for Godalming
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Edmund Church?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking generally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Do you cater in the Surrey Hills National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
What does tapas catering cost?
We quote for each event, based on what you actually want. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas for a clear quote.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Of course. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, served while the paella cooks.
How many tapas per person?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Tell us more and we’ll advise.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Yes. Tapas and canapés can be booked on their own.
Is halal food available?
Yes. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in a separate pan.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can, if you tell us in advance. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Nearby places to Godalming
More for events in Godalming
Organising for someone else?
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
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 are happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Perfect for your event in Godalming
They’re ideal when a full meal doesn’t fit.
Here are some of the events we cook for in Godalming and Surrey:
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Evening grazing
- Sharing tapas starters
A picnic in Phillips Memorial Park? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is frequently easier for catering.
Comparing caterers
- Who provides the crockery
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- The deposit and payment dates
- How long the team stays
- 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