Surrey · England
Tapas Catering for Little Bookham events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Little Bookham: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Tapas before paella
- Evening grazing
Tapas catering near Little Bookham
Tapas catering for your event in Little Bookham
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. We cook Serrano ham, tortilla española and padrón peppers, and we’re frequently booked for table tapas as a starter and work receptions.
Tapas make a party in Little Bookham easy and sociable. Timings are planned around your event, whether that’s speeches, a lunch break or a festival schedule.
What happens on the day
We work to your timings. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we hold the paella at the right stage so it’s served at its best. A summer drinks reception in Little Bookham has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
How to get a price
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Towns and villages near Little Bookham
Also in Little Bookham
For event organisers in Little Bookham
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we’ll work directly with you and the venue. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Planning the cooking area
We will agree the cooking spot with you before the day. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- A spot for our serving station
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- An area to prepare hot tapas
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
Menu ideas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
Common questions in Little Bookham
Which station should guests use for Little Bookham?
The closest is Bookham station, roughly 1.4 miles away.
We’re having a ceremony at Church of St Lawrence: 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.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away; cold tapas are laid out as guests arrive.
Do you do desserts?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
How much paella per person?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Tell us what else is being served. Our guide to portions explains more.
How many tapas per person?
We plan quantities around your timings and courses. Tell us more and we will advise.
Can you serve drinks?
We can make sangria, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
Do you cook it at the event?
It is. We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook on the day, serving it hot from the pan.
Catering for every guest
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Collect dietary needs
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Canapés circulate with drinks as guests arrive.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
Drinks receptions around Little Bookham
Little Bookham is about 3 miles south-west of Leatherhead, in Surrey. Tell us where your event in Little Bookham will be, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up before the day. Little Bookham is one of 395 places in Surrey we cover. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 8 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Polesden Lacey (1.1 miles south-east) and Hatchlands Park (3.6 miles west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. Historic buildings near Little Bookham often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 4 miles of Little Bookham, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
This part of Surrey takes in KT23 and KT24, so your event can be anywhere in it. Whether your event is on Orchard Gardens, Guildford Road and Lindens Close or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Great Bookham (1 mile north-east), Fetcham (2 miles north-east), Ranmore Common (2 miles south-east), Westhumble (3 miles south-east) and Mickleham (3 miles east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Guildford (8 miles west), Woking (9 miles west), Camberley (15 miles west), Epsom (7 miles north-east), Horley (11 miles south-east) and Redhill (10 miles east).
A little further out are Betchworth Castle (4.6 miles south-east) and Headley Court (5.1 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Combe Bottom and Boldermere Lake.
- Local schools include Manor House School (under half a mile north) and St Lawrence Primary School (0.5 miles north-west)
- Local pubs include The Queen Stage pub (0.5 miles north-west)
Dishes our guests love
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Is live paella right for your event?
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. Got a budget? Let us know, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
What you get with us
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- We cover Little Bookham and the whole of Surrey
- A clear, itemised quote
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
Take a look at Our prices page And The cost guide.
What tapas catering costs
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Your choice of paellas
- The length of service
- The number of people
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
What we need to know
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- The date and rough timings
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The venue or postcode
- Expected numbers
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
- 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