Surrey · England
Tapas Catering for Shortfield Common events
Paella for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Shortfield Common.
- Tapas before paella
- Anniversary parties
- Evening sharing boards
Book tapas catering in Shortfield Common
Dietary needs and planning tips
Most events have a mix of diets. To cater well for them:
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Label seafood clearly
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Tell us what role tapas play
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Staff to serve canapés.
Tapas catering in Shortfield Common, cooked live
We’ll recommend a tapas selection for your event, starter or main event. We’re often asked to cater work receptions and sharing tapas starters, with Serrano ham, patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo.
In a rural spot like Shortfield Common, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. The paella is served straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and service is quick once it is ready.
Events we cater in Shortfield Common
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
In Shortfield Common and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Popular bookings include:
- Engagement parties
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Cocktail parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
Historic buildings near Shortfield Common frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
Questions to ask before you book
- Travel and parking costs
- How each diet is kept separate
- When payment is due
- A clear list of what’s included
Space, weather and the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- A spot for our serving station
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
What we offer
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Tortilla española
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
Planning a tapas spread in Shortfield Common
Shortfield Common is about 2 miles south of Farnham, in Surrey. Wherever your event is in the GU10 area, we can cook for your guests. We cook in 395 places in Surrey. Our events stretch from Shortfield Common to Guildford (11 miles away).
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Mary the Virgin, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Historic houses near Shortfield Common include Farnham Castle (3 miles north). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Shortfield Common, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Wherever your event is in GU10, we can bring tapas catering to you. Whether your event is on Hamlash Lane, West End Lane and Moons Hill or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. If your venue is just outside Shortfield Common, we also cover Millbridge (1 mile east), Frensham (1 mile south), Lower Bourne (1 mile north), Tilford Reeds (2 miles east) and Crosswater (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cater in Guildford (11 miles north-east), Woking (14 miles north-east), Camberley (11 miles north), Frimley (10 miles north), Haslemere (7 miles south-east) and Cranleigh (14 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Museum of Farnham (2.6 miles north) and Chase Community Hospital (5.5 miles south-west). Open spaces near Shortfield Common include Culverswell Hill and Farnham Heath.
- Schools near Shortfield Common include St Mary's CofE Aided Infant School (0.8 miles south-east) and Weydon School (2 miles north)
Towns and villages near Shortfield Common
Also in Shortfield Common
How we price tapas catering
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Travel, parking and access
- Guest numbers
- Your choice of paellas
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Getting an accurate quote
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Which courses you have in mind
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Where the event is
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Step by step
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, which we agree with you beforehand. Sunset in Shortfield Common is around 9:20pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
How to get a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Shortfield Common: your questions answered
Could we have live paella in Underdown nature reserve?
Only if the landowner, typically the council, allows it. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
Is Shortfield Common too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
Are the tapas fresh?
Hot tapas are finished on site.
Is halal food available?
Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in its own pan.
Do you supply canapé staff?
Canapés work best with staff serving, which we can supply.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Lots. Tortilla, bravas and Manchego are popular vegetarian choices.
How much tapas do we need?
It depends on whether they’re a starter, canapés or the whole meal. We’ll suggest quantities for your event.
Why choose live paella in Shortfield Common?
Tapas are flexible, which makes them easy to plan around. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why Shortfield Common hosts choose us
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Events in Shortfield Common and across Surrey
- No hidden extras in your quote
Take a look at Our pricing Or What paella catering costs.
Dishes our guests love
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette served in wedges or squares.
- 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