Greater London · England
Tapas Catering for Penge events
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Penge and the surrounding area.
- Birthday drinks
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Tapas and paella menus
Tapas catering in Penge
About our tapas catering in Penge
Tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties, office events and weddings. Typical bookings include tapas with a paella main course and birthday and anniversary parties, with padrón peppers, albóndigas and gambas al ajillo.
For a London drinks party in Penge, canapé tapas are easy to serve in a small space. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated, and served the moment it’s ready.
- Area
- Penge (SE20, SE19, SE26)
- Region
- Greater London
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning the cooking area
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but a few things matter:
- Parking near the venue
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Space to finish hot dishes
As a London location, Penge is inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking takes planning: tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway.
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before you book.
Menu ideas
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it is in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
What tapas catering costs
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- Guest numbers
- How long we are needed on site
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Parking and unloading
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What we need to know
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Expected numbers
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The address or venue name
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. When you’re ready, use our quote form.
Paella compared with other options
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Why Penge hosts choose us
- Fast service from the pan
- We cover Penge and the whole of Greater London
- Real theatre, not just catering
- A clear, itemised quote
Take a look at Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
The process
The paella is cooked in giant, shallow pans over gas burners. We need a level, ventilated spot, and we agree where that is before the day. Evening receptions in Penge stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We pack down when service ends.
Before we arrive
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Tell us where to park and unload
Get a quote
The quickest way to a quote is to use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Read more
Tapas for events in Penge
Penge is about 1 mile west of Beckenham, in Greater London. For tapas catering in Penge, we plan around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. We cater in all 764 towns and villages across Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Penge to London (about 6 miles away).
For guests coming by train, Penge has its own station, Penge West station. Historic houses near Penge include Kingswood House (1.4 miles north-west) and Bromley Palace (3.6 miles east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
This part of Greater London takes in SE20, SE19 and SE26. Streets in the area include High Street, Anerley Station Road and Station Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Main roads around Penge include the A234, which makes travel to your event easy. If your venue is just outside Penge, we also cover Anerley (1 mile west), Crystal Palace (1 mile north-west), Sydenham (1 mile north), Gipsy Hill (1 mile north-west) and Upper Norwood (1 mile west). Within a short drive, we also cover London (6 miles north), City of Westminster (8 miles north-west), Marylebone (8 miles north-west), Kensington (8 miles north-west), St Pancras (8 miles north) and Shoreditch (8 miles north).
Nearby you’ll also find Whitgift Centre (3.2 miles south-west) and St Christopher's Hospice (0.5 miles north). The countryside around Penge includes Dulwich Upper Wood and Knight's Hill.
- Nearby schools include Harris City Academy Crystal Palace (0.8 miles west) and Crystal Palace School (0.8 miles north-west)
- Pubs nearby include Crooked Billet pub (under half a mile north-west)
- Local facilities include Addiscombe (2.5 miles south)
Other catering in Penge
Events we cater in Penge
One spread covers many tastes and diets.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Table tapas as a starter
- Receptions and drinks parties
Historic buildings near Penge frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
Comparing caterers
- What happens if it rains
- What the price includes, item by item
- How late numbers can change
- Space, access and power needs
Common questions in Penge
Could we have live paella in Crystal Palace Dinosaurs?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, typically the council. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
What’s the nearest station to Penge for guests?
Penge has its own station: Penge West station.
Do you cover Penge?
We do. Penge is one of the places we cover. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
Do we need staff for canapés?
Canapés work best with staff serving, which we can supply.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
How long does the paella take?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
How many tapas per person?
That depends on their role in the meal. We will suggest quantities for your event.
What about pudding?
We do. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
What’s in the pans
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
For event organisers in Penge
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will explain how it works. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
- 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