Surrey · England
Tapas Catering for Shere events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Shere: paella cooked from scratch in huge pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Launches and office parties
- Engagement parties
- Cocktail parties
Live tapas catering in Shere
Why choose live paella in Shere?
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. 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 book with us
- A quote that spells everything out
- Catering across Surrey, including Shere
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Sangria and bar staff available
About our tapas catering in Shere
We’ll suggest a selection to suit your timings and guests, starter or main event. For tapas starters and anniversary parties, we can cook croquetas, gambas al ajillo and padrón peppers and more.
Near Shere, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it is hot and generous, and a queue moves quickly.
Where we can cook in Shere
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Permission from the venue
- A spot for our serving station
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
Planners, venues and businesses
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
Throwing a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we will tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Your questions about tapas catering in Shere
Can you cater a reception after a service at The Church of St James?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Is Shere too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
What happens if it rains?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We’ll make a plan B with you.
Do you cook inside?
Normally we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Are the tapas fresh?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue.
Do you do starters?
Yes. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, while the rice is cooking.
How many different paellas?
Two or three covers most guests. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
When should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
What affects the price in Shere
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- The length of service
- How many courses
- Waiting and bar staff
Got a budget? Let us know, and we will suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Details that help
These details help us quote quickly:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Which courses you have in mind
- Where the event is
- The date and rough timings
Still deciding on the menu? That’s fine: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, use our quote form.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
What happens on the day
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 is light in Shere until about 9:20pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
How to prepare
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
How to get a price
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Dishes our guests love
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite when made carefully.
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Who books tapas catering in Shere?
Big or small, tapas work.
Whatever the occasion, live paella can be the centrepiece. We frequently cook for:
- Drinks reception canapés
- Tapas before paella
- Engagement parties
- Evening sharing boards
Historic houses near Shere include Hatchlands Park (2.6 miles north) and Chilworth Manor (2.8 miles 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
- Payment terms and deposit
- When final numbers are due
- How long the team stays
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
Towns and villages near Shere
Also in Shere
Receptions and parties in Shere
Shere is about 5 miles east of Guildford, in Surrey. Events in Shere are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. Shere is one of 395 places in Surrey we cover.
Guests travelling by rail: Gomshall station is about 1.1 miles away. A picnic in Colekitchen Down? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering. Shere is within about a mile of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Anywhere in GU5, we can bring tapas catering to you. From Lower Street, Orchard Road and Shere Lane or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Other places close to Shere for tapas catering include Gomshall (1 mile east), Albury Heath (1 mile south-west), Little London (1 mile south-west), Albury (1 mile west) and Abinger Hammer (1 mile east). Larger places within reach include Guildford (5 miles west), Woking (8 miles north-west), Camberley (14 miles north-west), Epsom (12 miles north-east), Horley (13 miles east) and Redhill (13 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Shere Museum (less than half a mile east) and Abinger Castle (2.8 miles south-east). Open spaces near Shere include Silent Pool and St Martha's Hill.
- Pubs nearby include The White Horse Public House (under half a mile south-east)
- 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