Surrey · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Parkgate, Surrey
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Parkgate and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Tapas starters
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Live tapas catering in Parkgate
Should I cook it myself?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Tapas catering in Parkgate, made fresh on the day
A good spread mixes hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. We cook gambas al ajillo, Manchego with membrillo and croquetas, and we’re regularly asked to cater tapas starters and tapas and paella menus.
For a country party near Parkgate, tapas and sangria set the mood. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
Diets, allergies and planning
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Add sangria or cava
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Canapés need staff to serve
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Waiting staff for canapés.
How we price tapas catering
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- How many staff you need
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- How many courses
- The length of service
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is often good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
Getting an accurate quote
When you get in touch, it helps to tell us:
- The venue or postcode
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
Not sure what you need yet? That’s fine: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
Where we can cook in Parkgate
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Space on each table
- A spot for our serving station
- Access to unload near the serving area
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
Why choose live paella in Parkgate?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
What you get with us
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
Take a look at Our pricing Or The cost guide.
Tapas for events in Parkgate
Parkgate is about 4 miles south-east of Dorking, in Surrey. For an event in Parkgate, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. We cook in 395 places in Surrey. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 14 miles away.
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Holmwood station, about 2.1 miles west. Historic buildings near Parkgate often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 5 miles of Parkgate, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Wherever your event is in RH5, we can bring tapas catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Whether your event is on Broad Lane, Mill Lane and Becket Wood or a nearby road, we will bring the pans to you. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Shellwood Cross (1 mile north), Newdigate (1 mile south-west), Cudworth (2 miles south), Nalderswood (2 miles north-east) and Norwood Hill (2 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Guildford (14 miles west), Epsom (11 miles north), Horley (5 miles east), Redhill (6 miles north-east), Ewell (12 miles north) and Reigate (5 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Langley Green Hospital (5.1 miles south-east) and Betchworth Castle (3.8 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Reigate Heath and Leith Hill.
Working with your venue
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Step by step
Serving is fast: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so even a long queue moves. When service is finished, we pack down. Sunset in Parkgate is around 9:20pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
How to prepare
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
Getting a price
Send us the date, your venue or RH5 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and we’ll reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. To get started, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Places near Parkgate
What else we do in Parkgate
A closer look at the menu
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat.
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Your questions about tapas catering in Parkgate
What’s the nearest station to Parkgate for guests?
The closest is Holmwood station, roughly 2.1 miles away.
Is Parkgate too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Do you supply canapé staff?
We can provide staff. Canapés need staff to carry them round.
Can you cook indoors?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Courtyards, doorways and terraces often work.
Is the paella cooked on site?
It is. We arrive with everything we need and cook it there and then, then serve straight from the pan.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes, on request. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and we will cook a separate pan.
Who clears up?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
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.
- 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