Greater London · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Puddle Dock, Greater London
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Puddle Dock.
- Sharing tapas starters
- Birthday drinks
- Tapas and paella menus
Tapas catering near Puddle Dock
Diets, allergies and planning
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Collect dietary needs
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Canapés go round with the drinks as guests arrive.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Tapas catering in Puddle Dock, cooked live
We will suggest a selection to suit your timings and guests, starter or main event. On the menu are gambas al ajillo, Serrano ham and Manchego with membrillo, and we are regularly asked to cater office parties and launches and tapas starters.
Canapé tapas suit smaller London spaces in Puddle Dock. Timings are planned around your event, whether that is speeches, a lunch break or a festival schedule.
- Location
- Puddle Dock (RM14)
- Region
- Greater London
- Dietary options
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Towns and villages near Puddle Dock
More for events in Puddle Dock
FAQs for Puddle Dock
What’s the nearest station to Puddle Dock for guests?
The closest is Upminster station, roughly 1.9 miles away.
Is parking a problem for events in Puddle Dock?
London parking needs planning: let us know about permits or off-street space. We’ll work around it.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes, always. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.
Do you come to Puddle Dock?
Yes, we do. Puddle Dock is one of the places we cover. Tell us your date and we will check availability.
How long do you need on site?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Do we need staff for canapés?
Staff make canapés work, which we can supply.
Do you provide drinks?
We can make sangria, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
Can you cook in the rain?
We need a covered spot, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Puddle Dock: venues and local tips
Puddle Dock is in Greater London. Tell us where your event in Puddle Dock will be, and we’ll plan access and set-up before the day. We cover all 764 towns and villages in Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Puddle Dock to London (17 miles away).
Historic buildings near Puddle Dock frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. After a ceremony at a church such as Moor Lane Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
We cook at events all over RM14. Nearby, we also cater events in Cranham (1 mile west), North Ockendon (1 mile south), Upminster (2 miles west), Upminster Bridge (2 miles west) and Emerson Park (3 miles west). Larger places within reach include Walthamstow (14 miles west), Orpington (15 miles south-west), Plaistow (12 miles west), Leyton (13 miles west), New Cross (15 miles south-west) and Romford (5 miles west).
Other landmarks nearby include Upminster Tithe Barn Museum of Nostalgia (1.7 miles west) and Spire Hartswood Hospital (2.8 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Cranham Brickfields.
- Local schools include Hall Mead School (1.4 miles west)
How it works
The paella is cooked in huge, shallow pans over gas burners. We need a level, ventilated spot, which we agree with you beforehand. At midsummer, it is light in Puddle Dock until about 9:20pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:00pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:50pm, are better indoors.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Before we arrive
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
- Give us a contact for the day
Ask for a quote
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
Related guides
Where we can cook in Puddle Dock
No two venues are the same, so we will ask about yours when you contact us. In general, we need:
- A spot for our serving station
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
As a London location, Puddle Dock is inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking takes planning: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
Menu ideas
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
How we price tapas catering
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- The number of people
- Timings and hours
- Whether you need crockery
Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We’ll send you a quote.
What to tell us
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- The address or venue name
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- What the venue already provides
Send us the date, your venue or RM14 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and we’ll reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. To get started, fill in our quote form.
Why choose tapas catering in Puddle Dock?
Tapas get people talking.
In Puddle Dock and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Popular bookings include:
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Engagement parties
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Sharing tapas starters
Historic houses near Puddle Dock include Hare Hall (4.1 miles north-west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Questions to ask before you book
- When final numbers are due
- The venue requirements
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- The wet-weather plan
A closer look at the menu
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, which makes them easy to plan around. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Why book with us
- Drinks service on request
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
Take a look at Our pricing Or What paella catering costs.
For planners, venues and organisers
Events in public spaces, like parks, normally need permission. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
- 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