Greater London · England
Tapas & canapé catering in North Ockendon, Greater London
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in North Ockendon. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Work receptions
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Tapas with a paella main course
Live tapas catering in North Ockendon
Tapas catering in North Ockendon, cooked live
Tapas are sharing food, made for conversation. Canapés go round while guests mingle, or table tapas go out to share. Whether it is receptions and drinks parties and tapas and paella menus, we can cook Serrano ham, croquetas and tortilla española.
Tapas work well for receptions and parties in North Ockendon, indoors or out. Let us know about parking and loading. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose.
- Area
- North Ockendon (RM14)
- Area hub
- Greater London
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning for every diet
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Include staff for canapés
- Label seafood clearly
Canapés circulate with drinks as guests arrive.
Waiting staff for canapés.
The process
We work to your timings. If things run behind, we hold the paella at the right stage so it is served at its best. Sunset in North Ockendon is around 9:20pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Getting ready for the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
Get a quote
To get a price, fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll put together a menu and price.
Related guides
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Tapas are flexible, which makes them easy to plan around. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Why book with us
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Events in North Ockendon and across Greater London
See How we price And What paella catering costs.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
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 at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
North Ockendon: venues and local tips
North Ockendon is about 3 miles east of Hornchurch, in Greater London. Whether your event is in the middle of North Ockendon or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cover 764 places in Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from North Ockendon to London (17 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Ockendon station, about 1.5 miles south. Historic houses near North Ockendon include Hare Hall (4.5 miles north-west) and Rainham Hall (4.5 miles south-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
Tapas catering in RM14 is planned around your venue. For events just outside North Ockendon, we cover Puddle Dock (1 mile north), Cranham (2 miles north-west), Upminster (2 miles north-west), Upminster Bridge (2 miles north-west) and Hacton (3 miles west). Larger places within reach include Walthamstow (14 miles west), Whitechapel (15 miles west), Orpington (14 miles south-west), Plaistow (11 miles west), Leyton (13 miles west) and New Cross (15 miles west).
Well-known places in the area include Upminster Tithe Barn Museum of Nostalgia (2.1 miles north-west) and St George's Hospital (3 miles west). Not far away are Cranham Marsh.
- Schools near North Ockendon include Eastbrook School (1.5 miles north-west)
North Ockendon: your questions answered
We’re having a ceremony at Church of St Mary Magdalene: 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.
What’s the nearest station to North Ockendon for guests?
Ockendon station, about 1.5 miles south of the centre.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in a separate pan.
How long does the paella take?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
Do we need staff for canapés?
Staff make canapés work, which we can supply.
Can you cook in the rain?
We cook under cover, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Children are welcome. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we will plan for them.
Also near North Ockendon
More for events in North Ockendon
Who books tapas catering in North Ockendon?
They’re the classic starter before paella.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in North Ockendon book us for occasions like:
- Sharing tapas starters
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Birthday drinks
- Evening grazing
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Mary Magdalene.
What to look for in a quote
- The wet-weather plan
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- How late numbers can change
- A clear list of what’s included
Organising for someone else?
Organising a club, school or community event in North Ockendon? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Before you choose a spot
If a space isn’t suitable, we will tell you, and suggest an alternative. The main points are:
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
North Ockendon is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
What we offer
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
The menu, dish by dish
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, frequently with alioli.
Tortilla española
Potato omelette cut into bites.
- 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