Surrey · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Grafham, Surrey
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Grafham: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, in full view of your guests.
- Office parties and launches
- Anniversary parties
- Sharing boards for evening guests
Planning an event in Grafham?
For planners, venues and organisers
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
Organising a club, school or community event in Grafham? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
How our tapas catering works in Grafham
A good spread mixes hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. On the menu are patatas bravas, Manchego with membrillo and tortilla española, and we are regularly asked to cater tapas starters and tapas with a paella main course.
Near Grafham, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. The paella is served straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
Who books tapas catering in Grafham?
They make a perfect starter before paella.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In Grafham, people book us for occasions like:
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Work receptions
- Engagement celebrations
A picnic in Cucknell's Wood? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is frequently easier for catering.
What to look for in a quote
- The deadline for final numbers
- Staff numbers and hours
- How each diet is kept separate
- If the price includes VAT
Diets, allergies and planning
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Book staff to carry canapés round
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Paella compared with other options
Generic canapés all look the same. Tapas bring something different. Larger events generally cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
Why book with us
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Live cooking, not reheated food
Read Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
How we price tapas catering
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- The paellas you choose
- Distance and access to the venue
- How many guests are eating
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
There’s 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. Your quote spells it all out.
What we need to know
To check availability and price, we need:
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- A photo of the space, if you can
- The venue or postcode
- The date and rough timings
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you’re ready, send us your details through our quote form.
The process
The paella is cooked in huge, shallow pans over gas burners. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, and we agree where that is before the day. At midsummer, it is light in Grafham until about 9:20pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Tell us where to park and unload
Getting a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will confirm whether we’re available that day.
Related guides
DIY paella versus live catering
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 be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Space, weather and the venue
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- A spot for our serving station
- Permission from the venue
- Parking near the venue
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
Menu ideas
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
Other catering in Grafham
Planning a tapas spread in Grafham
Grafham is about 6 miles south of Guildford, in Surrey. From the centre of Grafham to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cook in 395 places in Surrey. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 6 miles away.
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Grafham, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Andrew. Grafham is within about 5 miles of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
This part of Surrey takes in GU5, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. For events just outside Grafham, we cover Birtley Green (1 mile north), Shamley Green (1 mile north), Thorncombe Street (1 mile west), Stroud Common (1 mile north-east) and Rowly (2 miles east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Guildford (6 miles north), Woking (11 miles north), Camberley (14 miles north-west), Farnham (11 miles west), Reigate (15 miles east) and Dorking (10 miles north-east).
A little further out are Godalming Museum (3.6 miles north-west) and Guildford Castle (4.9 miles north). Green spaces nearby include St Martha's Hill and Colyer's Hanger and Lower Lake.
Common questions in Grafham
What’s the nearest station to Grafham for guests?
Chilworth station, about 3.5 miles north of the centre.
Can you cook in Cucknell's Wood?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
Do you cover Grafham?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, including Grafham and the rest of Surrey. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and meat eaters often go back for seconds. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Do you cater for young children?
Yes, children are easy to cater for. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we’ll plan for them.
Do you cook inside?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Are the tapas served hot?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue so they’re served at their best.
Do you provide serving staff?
Canapés work best with staff serving, which we can supply.
- 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