Greater London · England
Tapas Catering for Old Ford events
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Old Ford and across Greater London.
- Engagement celebrations
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Anniversary parties
Book tapas catering in Old Ford
Receptions and parties in Old Ford
Old Ford is about 2 miles west of Plaistow, in Greater London. Events in Old Ford are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. Old Ford is one of 764 places in Greater London we cover.
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Hackney Wick station, about 0.6 miles north. After a ceremony at a church such as St Paul Old Ford, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Wherever your event is in E3, E15 and E9, we can bring tapas catering to you. We can cater an event on streets such as Bow Road, Wick Lane and Dace Road. Close by, we cover events in Donnybrook Quarter (1 mile west), Fish Island (1 mile north), Bow (1 mile south-west), Hackney Wick (1 mile north) and Bromley (1 mile south). Within a short drive, we also cover London (4 miles south-west), City of Westminster (6 miles west), Marylebone (6 miles west), Kensington (8 miles west), St Pancras (4 miles west) and Walthamstow (4 miles north).
Well-known places in the area include V&A East (0.6 miles north-east) and Tower of London (3 miles south-west). The countryside around Old Ford includes Hollow Pond and Old Ford Island.
- Nearby schools include Old Ford Primary - A Paradigm Academy (within half a mile west)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Lea Tavern (0.5 miles north)
- Local facilities include Park (under half a mile north-west)
Tapas catering in Old Ford, made fresh on the day
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they’re served at their best. We cook albóndigas, Serrano ham and Manchego with membrillo, and typical bookings are for evening sharing boards and engagement parties.
Tapas work well for receptions and parties in Old Ford, indoors or out. Tell us about access and parking. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, never made in advance and reheated, and served as soon as it is ready.
- Location
- Old Ford (E3, E15, E9)
- County
- Greater London
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
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.
Occasions we cook for in Old Ford
Big or small, tapas work.
Here are some of the events we cook for in Old Ford and Greater London:
- Evening sharing boards
- Sharing tapas starters
- Engagement celebrations
- Receptions and drinks parties
Historic houses near Old Ford include Sutton House (1.5 miles north-west) and Mansion House (3.3 miles south-west). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Before booking anyone
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- A clear list of what’s included
- Who provides the crockery
- Whether travel is included
Nearby places to Old Ford
What else we do in Old Ford
About the dishes
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce.
Planning for every diet
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Add sangria or cava
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
Table tapas are set down to share at the start of the meal.
Bar staff and sangria.
How the day works
We work to your timings. If things run behind, we adjust the cooking so it is still served fresh. At midsummer, it’s light in Old Ford until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Before we arrive
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Name one person we can ask on the day
Getting a price
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Read more
Questions from Old Ford
Can you cook in Grove Hall Park?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Paul Old Ford?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
How much does tapas catering cost in Old Ford?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas and we’ll reply with a price.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in a separate pan.
When do you arrive?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance so the paella is ready when you want it.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Yes. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
Can you cook in the rain?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
What tapas catering costs
There is nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- Timings and hours
- How many staff you need
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
Details that help
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Expected numbers
- The venue or postcode
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can fill in our quote form.
For planners, venues and organisers
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will explain how it works. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Old Ford? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why choose live paella in Old Ford?
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, so they fit most plans. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Why us?
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- We cover Old Ford and the whole of Greater London
See Our prices page And The cost guide.
- 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