Greater London · England
Tapas Catering for North Cray events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in North Cray: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Evening grazing
- Birthday drinks
Book tapas catering in North Cray
A closer look at the menu
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette served in wedges or squares.
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns.
Tapas catering in North Cray, made fresh on the day
Sangria and bar staff can be added, for a complete drinks and tapas package. Whether it is sharing tapas starters and receptions and drinks parties, we will put together a menu of padrón peppers, tortilla española and gambas al ajillo for your guests.
Canapé tapas suit smaller London spaces in North Cray. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
- Area
- North Cray (DA14)
- Region
- Greater London
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
For event organisers in North Cray
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Prices and what affects them
We will give you a clear, itemised quote. What affects it most:
- The length of service
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Parking and unloading
- The paellas you choose
The cost per head normally falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Details that help
For a quote, it helps to have:
- The courses you’d like
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Where the event is
- The date and time of the event
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
North Cray: venues and local tips
North Cray is about 2 miles east of Sidcup, in Greater London. For tapas catering in North Cray, we plan around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. North Cray is one of 764 places in Greater London where we cook. Our nearest city page is London, about 11 miles away.
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Albany Park station, about 0.6 miles north-west. Parks such as Foots Cray Meadows have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 8 miles of North Cray, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
This part of Greater London takes in DA14, so your event can be anywhere in it. Local streets include Water Lane, North Cray Road and Leafield Lane; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. We also cook at events in Bexley (1 mile north), Coldblow (1 mile north-east), Ruxley (1 mile south), Blendon (1 mile north-west) and Joyden's Wood (1 mile east). Larger places within reach include London (11 miles north-west), City of Westminster (14 miles north-west), Marylebone (14 miles north-west), Kensington (15 miles west), St Pancras (13 miles north-west) and Shoreditch (11 miles north-west).
Well-known places in the area include Broadway Shopping Centre (1.7 miles north) and Bexley Hospital (1.8 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Wansunt Pit and Summer Hill.
- Local schools include Cleeve Park School (0.9 miles west)
- Local pubs include The White Cross pub (less than half a mile south)
North Cray: your questions answered
Could we have live paella in Foots Cray Meadows?
Only if the landowner, normally the council, allows it. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
What about parking in North Cray?
It can be, so tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway. We’ll plan unloading around it.
Do you take everything away?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
How far ahead should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Peak dates go quickly, so get in touch early.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
We can. Let us know what you have, and we will quote for the rest.
Do you do desserts?
We can add a dessert. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
Do you provide serving staff?
Canapés work best with staff serving, which we can supply.
Occasions we cook for in North Cray
Tapas are sociable food.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We frequently cook for:
- Sharing tapas starters
- Evening sharing boards
- Tapas and paella menus
- Launches and office parties
If you are looking at a historic venue around North Cray, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Questions to ask before you book
- A clear list of what’s included
- How each diet is kept separate
- Travel and parking costs
- Payment terms and deposit
Places near North Cray
Other catering in North Cray
Planning for every diet
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Check diets in advance
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Include staff for canapés
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Serving boards and crockery.
DIY paella versus live catering
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
Step by step
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, which we agree with you beforehand. Evening receptions in North Cray stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
How to prepare
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
Getting a price
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, use our quote form.
Planning help
Live paella or other catering?
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why choose Love Paella in North Cray
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- A quote that spells everything out
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
Read How we price And What paella catering costs.
- 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