Surrey · England
Tapas Catering for Merle Common events
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Merle Common.
- Engagement parties
- Evening sharing boards
- Receptions and drinks parties
Planning an event in Merle Common?
About our tapas catering in Merle Common
We’ll suggest a selection to suit your timings and guests, starter or main event. Popular choices include albóndigas, tortilla española and padrón peppers, and we are frequently booked for work receptions and birthday drinks.
In a rural spot like Merle Common, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
Why choose tapas catering in Merle Common?
They’re ideal when a full meal doesn’t fit.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Birthday drinks
- Launches and office parties
Nearby historic houses include Chartwell (3.3 miles north-east) and Titsey Place (3.6 miles north). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
What to look for in a quote
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- Whether VAT is included
- The wet-weather plan
The menu, dish by dish
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns.
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
What affects the price in Merle Common
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- How many courses
- Timings and hours
- Waiting and bar staff
- Parking and unloading
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What we need to know
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- The venue or postcode
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Expected numbers
- The date and rough timings
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why book with us
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- We cover Merle Common and the whole of Surrey
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Your questions about tapas catering in Merle Common
Which station should guests use for Merle Common?
Hurst Green station, about 1.4 miles north of the centre.
How far is Merle Common from London?
Roughly 19 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Plenty are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers. Each dish is labelled.
Do you provide drinks?
Sangria, yes. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.
Do you come to Merle Common?
Yes. We cover London and the South East, and Merle Common is within our area. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Do you do desserts?
We can add a dessert. Tell us what you have in mind when you ask for a quote.
Is it really cooked live?
It is. We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook on the day, then serve straight from the pan.
How many tapas per person?
It depends on whether they’re a starter, canapés or the whole meal. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest quantities.
Planning a tapas spread in Merle Common
Merle Common is about 6 miles south-east of Caterham, in Surrey. Across the RH8 area, we will come to your venue or garden. Merle Common is one of 395 places in Surrey where we cook. You can also see our page for London, about 19 miles away.
Historic buildings near Merle Common frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. For guests coming by train, Hurst Green station is about 1.4 miles away.
Here we cover the RH8 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. If your venue is just outside Merle Common, we also cover Crowhurst (1 mile south-west), Troy Town (2 miles south-east), Hurst Green (2 miles north-west), Pains-Hill (2 miles north) and Crowhurst Lane End (2 miles south-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Epsom (14 miles north-west), Horley (8 miles west), Redhill (8 miles west), Ewell (15 miles north-west), Reigate (9 miles west) and Caterham (6 miles north-west).
Well-known places in the area include Tandridge Priory (2.1 miles north) and Haxted Watermill Museum (2.5 miles south). The countryside around Merle Common includes Botley Hill and Bay Pond.
- Local schools include Oxted School (2.4 miles north)
Space, weather and the venue
If a space isn’t suitable, we will tell you, and suggest an alternative. What matters most:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Space on each table
- Permission from the venue
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
On the menu in Merle Common
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
Also near Merle Common
More for events in Merle Common
Step by step
It is a relaxed, well-organised set-up. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up the pans and burners, and get on with cooking and serving. A summer drinks reception in Merle Common has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. 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 put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
How to prepare
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
Get a quote
To get a price, use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Planning help
For planners, venues and organisers
Events in public spaces, like parks, normally need permission. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Hosting a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and do not stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
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’ll do the cooking.
- 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