Surrey · England
Tapas Catering in Ranmore Common
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Ranmore Common and across Surrey.
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Engagement parties
- Tapas starters
Tapas catering in Ranmore Common
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Tapas catering for your event in Ranmore Common
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, served while the paella cooks, but they’re great on their own. On the menu are croquetas, patatas bravas and Manchego with membrillo, and we are often booked for sharing boards for evening guests and birthday drinks.
Near Ranmore Common, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
The process
The cooking is part of the entertainment. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook. A summer drinks reception in Ranmore Common has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, 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, numbers and serving style.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
How to prepare
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
Getting a price
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll make suggestions. To start, use our quote form.
Related guides
Questions from Ranmore Common
Could we have live paella in Milton Heath and The Nower?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
Which station should guests use for Ranmore Common?
Dorking West station, about 1.1 miles east of the centre.
Do you provide serving staff?
Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to serve.
How many paellas should we have?
Typically two or three, so every guest has a choice. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
Can you supply plates?
If you need them, yes. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables can be added to your booking.
What about pudding?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
How do you work out quantities?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Tell us what else is being served. Our guide to portions explains more.
Planning for every diet
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Include staff for canapés
Tapas go out to the tables.
Waiting staff for canapés.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
Towns and villages near Ranmore Common
Also in Ranmore Common
Drinks receptions around Ranmore Common
Ranmore Common is about 2 miles north-west of Dorking, in Surrey. Events in Ranmore Common are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. We cover 395 places across Surrey. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 9 miles away.
Historic buildings near Ranmore Common often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. Nearby historic houses include Polesden Lacey (1.2 miles north) and Hatchlands Park (4.8 miles west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. Ranmore Common is within about 3 miles of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Anywhere in RH5, we can bring tapas catering to you. We also cook at events in Westcott (1 mile south), Westhumble (2 miles north-east), Dorking (2 miles south-east), Pixham (2 miles east) and Wotton (2 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Guildford (9 miles west), Woking (10 miles north-west), Epsom (8 miles north-east), Horley (10 miles south-east), Redhill (8 miles east) and Ewell (9 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Betchworth Castle (3 miles east) and Mesolithic Museum (3.3 miles south-west). Open spaces near Ranmore Common include Box Hill and Combe Bottom.
- Nearby schools include The Priory CofE Voluntary Aided School (1.4 miles south-east)
- Local facilities include Pippbrook House (1.7 miles east)
Before you choose a spot
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Unloading access
- Space on each table
- Venue approval for outside catering
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
For event organisers in Ranmore Common
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Ranmore Common? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
How we price tapas catering
There is nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- Waiting and bar staff
- The number of people
- How long we are needed on site
- The paellas you choose
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
What to tell us
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The venue or postcode
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can send us your details through our quote form.
Why choose tapas catering in Ranmore Common?
Tapas are sociable food.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Work receptions
- Anniversary parties
- Tapas starters
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Dorking West station, about 1.1 miles east.
What your quote should include
- What the price includes, item by item
- The deadline for final numbers
- How each diet is kept separate
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- 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