Surrey · England
Tapas Catering for Shackleford events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Shackleford: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Tapas before paella
- Engagement parties
Tapas catering for Shackleford events
What’s in the pans
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce.
Tapas catering for your event in Shackleford
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they arrive hot. On the menu are gambas al ajillo, tortilla española and albóndigas, and typical bookings are for evening grazing and table tapas as a starter.
Near Shackleford, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
Prices and what affects them
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- How many staff you need
- The number of people
- Parking and unloading
- Timings and hours
Larger events generally cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Details that help
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- Anything your venue supplies
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Which courses you have in mind
- A picture of where we’d cook
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
FAQs for Shackleford
Can you cook at venues in the Surrey Hills National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will follow the site rules.
Is Shackleford too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Do you come to Shackleford?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Shackleford and across Surrey. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
How many different paellas?
Two or three covers most guests. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Yes. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
What areas do you cover?
We cater across London and the South East, Surrey included. See all areas.
When should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it’s short notice, it’s worth asking.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Of course. Tapas and canapés can be booked on their own.
Towns and villages near Shackleford
More for events in Shackleford
Live paella or other catering?
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
Why choose Love Paella in Shackleford
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Live cooking, not reheated food
See Our pricing And The cost guide.
How it works
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. At midsummer, it’s light in Shackleford until about 9:20pm, 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 and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
Getting a price
The quickest way to a quote is to send us your details through our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Related guides
Who books tapas catering in Shackleford?
Big or small, tapas work.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in Shackleford book us for occasions like:
- Table tapas as a starter
- Birthday drinks
- Engagement parties
- Receptions and drinks parties
Parks such as Middlebriars Wood have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
Before booking anyone
- What happens if it rains
- When final numbers are due
- How each diet is kept separate
- How long the team stays
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. A caterer handles all of that.
Space, weather and the venue
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We need:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
For event organisers in Shackleford
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
Organising a club, school or community event in Shackleford? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
Shackleford: venues and local tips
Shackleford is about 5 miles south-west of Guildford, in Surrey. Wherever your event is in the GU8 area, we can cook for your guests. Shackleford is one of 395 places in Surrey where we cook.
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Mary. Historic buildings near Shackleford frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 7 miles of Shackleford, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cover events in every part of GU8 and the streets around it. Streets in the area include The Street, Lombard Street and Chalk Lane, and we can cook for an event on any of them. If your venue is just outside Shackleford, we also cover Hurtmore (1 mile east), Puttenham (2 miles north), Compton (2 miles north-east), Wanborough (2 miles north) and Binscombe (2 miles east). Further out, we also cater in Guildford (5 miles north-east), Woking (9 miles north-east), Camberley (10 miles north), Farnham (6 miles west), Dorking (15 miles east) and Frimley (8 miles north).
A little further out are Charterhouse School Museum (1.8 miles east) and Milford Hospital (2.9 miles south-east). The countryside around Shackleford includes Farncombe Wood and Hog's Back.
- Schools near Shackleford include Prior's Field School (0.8 miles north-east)
- Local facilities include Seale and Tongham (3 miles north-west)
- 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