Surrey · England
Tapas Catering in Great Bookham
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Great Bookham and the surrounding area.
- Anniversary parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Drinks parties and receptions
Live tapas catering in Great Bookham
Tapas catering in Great Bookham, cooked live
We will suggest a selection to suit your timings and guests, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. We cook patatas bravas, tortilla española and gambas al ajillo, and we’re frequently booked for canapés with welcome drinks and engagement parties.
Around Great Bookham, tapas suit garden parties and village-hall celebrations. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it’s hot and generous, and a queue moves quickly.
What tapas catering costs
These are the factors that matter most:
- Waiting and bar staff
- Parking and unloading
- 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 garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. We itemise everything in your quote.
What we need to know
To check availability and price, we need:
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Which courses you have in mind
- Where the event is
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Great Bookham? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. To get in touch, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning a tapas spread in Great Bookham
Great Bookham is about 6 miles south-west of Epsom, in Surrey. Tell us where your event in Great Bookham will be, and we will plan the journey and set-up. We cover all 395 towns and villages across Surrey. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 9 miles away.
A picnic in River Mole LNR? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Bookham station, about 0.8 miles north-west. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 4 miles of Great Bookham, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Here we cover the KT23 and KT22 postcode area. Local streets include High Street, Church Road and Beeches Drive; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Other places close to Great Bookham for tapas catering include Fetcham (1 mile north-east), Little Bookham (1 mile south-west), Leatherhead (2 miles north-east), Mickleham (2 miles east) and Westhumble (3 miles south-east). Further out, we also cater in Guildford (9 miles west), Woking (9 miles west), Epsom (6 miles north-east), Horley (11 miles south-east), Redhill (9 miles east) and Ewell (7 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Headley Court (4.1 miles east) and Betchworth Castle (4.4 miles south-east). Open spaces near Great Bookham include Box Hill and Jubilee Wood.
- Local schools include Manor House School (0.9 miles south-west) and Howard of Effingham School (1.1 miles south-west)
- Pubs nearby include The Old Crown pub (less than half a mile south-west)
Why choose tapas catering in Great Bookham?
One spread covers many tastes and diets.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Typical bookings include:
- Engagement parties
- Sharing tapas starters
- Birthday drinks
- Work receptions
Historic houses near Great Bookham include Polesden Lacey (1.6 miles south) and Hatchlands Park (4.6 miles west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
What to look for in a quote
- The deadline for final numbers
- VAT, if it applies
- A clear list of what’s included
- Allergen information for each dish
Dietary needs and planning tips
Most events have a mix of diets. To cater well for them:
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Label seafood clearly
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Tell us what role tapas play
Each dish is labelled.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Before you choose a spot
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- Space on each table
- Space for a serving table or station
- Venue approval for outside catering
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
Popular choices
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
How the day works
Your timings come first. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we hold the paella at the right stage so it is served at its best. Evening receptions in Great Bookham stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
How to prepare
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Name one person we can ask on the day
How to get a price
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Paella compared with other options
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, which makes them easy to plan around. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. The full price is confirmed before booking.
What you get with us
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- A clear, itemised quote
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
Read Our prices page And Our guide to catering costs.
About the dishes
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, frequently with alioli.
Places near Great Bookham
What else we do in Great Bookham
For event organisers in Great Bookham
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so guests are fed quickly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Questions from Great Bookham
We are having a ceremony at Church of St Nicolas: 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 typically elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Could we have live paella in River Mole LNR?
Only if the landowner, typically the council, allows it. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
How much does tapas catering cost in Great Bookham?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in a separate pan.
Will there be enough food?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, in front of your guests.
Do you cater in Great Bookham?
Yes. We cover London and the South East, and Great Bookham is within our area and the rest of Surrey. To check your date, use our quote form.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Let us know if you’d like one in your enquiry.
- 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