Surrey · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Sandy Cross, Surrey
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Sandy Cross: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests.
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Birthday drinks
- Welcome-drink canapés
Tapas catering in Sandy Cross
How the day works
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you’re free to enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first as the rice is cooking. A summer drinks reception in Sandy Cross has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
Preparing for the day
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
Ask for a quote
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you’re ready, send us your details through our quote form.
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Tapas catering in Sandy Cross, made fresh on the day
Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. We are frequently asked to cater launches and office parties and sharing boards for evening guests, serving albóndigas, Serrano ham and patatas bravas.
In a rural spot like Sandy Cross, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. You’ll know exactly what’s included before booking: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
Sandy Cross: venues and local tips
Sandy Cross is about 2 miles south-east of Aldershot, in Surrey. Whether your event is in the middle of Sandy Cross or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cook in 395 places across Surrey. Our events stretch from Sandy Cross to Guildford (about 7 miles away).
Guests travelling by rail: Aldershot station is about 2.1 miles away. Historic houses near Sandy Cross include Farnham Castle (3 miles west) and Wanborough Manor (3.1 miles east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Sandy Cross is within about 8 miles of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
For tapas catering in GU10, we plan around your venue. Your event could be at a home on Seale Lane and Binton Lane. We also cook at events in Seale (1 mile east), The Sands (1 mile south), Tongham (1 mile north), Runfold (1 mile south-west) and Badshot Lea (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include Guildford (7 miles east), Woking (9 miles north-east), Camberley (8 miles north), Farnham (3 miles west), Frimley (6 miles north) and Haslemere (9 miles south).
Other landmarks nearby include Seale and Tongham (within half a mile east) and Farnham Castle (3 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Aunt's Pool and Culverswell Hill.
- Nearby schools include The Connaught School (1.1 miles north) and Ash Manor School (1.3 miles north)
- Local pubs include The White Hart pub (0.8 miles north)
Planning the cooking area
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Room for a tapas table
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
Popular choices
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
Why choose tapas catering in Sandy Cross?
Tapas are sociable food.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Work receptions
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Engagement parties
- Birthday and anniversary parties
A picnic in Aldershot Park? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering.
Before you book anyone
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- The venue requirements
- When final numbers are due
For planners, venues and organisers
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.
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so guests are fed quickly. Let us know how long the food break is.
What else we do in Sandy Cross
What affects the price in Sandy Cross
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- How long we are needed on site
Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Details that help
To check availability and price, we need:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- What the venue already provides
- Which courses you have in mind
To get a price, use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll put together a menu and price.
Diets, allergies and planning
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Collect dietary needs
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
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. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Sandy Cross questions
Could we have live paella in Aldershot Park?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
Is Sandy Cross close to London?
Roughly 34 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in a separate pan.
How long does the paella take?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Do we need staff for canapés?
Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to carry them round.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, where your guests can watch.
How much tapas do we need?
It depends on whether they’re a starter, canapés or the whole meal. Tell us about the event and we will suggest quantities.
Dishes our guests love
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns.
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
- 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