Greater London · England
Tapas Catering for South Croydon events
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in South Croydon. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Work receptions
- Sharing tapas starters
- Welcome-drink canapés
Tapas catering near South Croydon
Planning the cooking area
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Space for a serving table or station
South Croydon is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway.
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Popular choices
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
How our tapas catering works in South Croydon
Tapas are sharing food, made for conversation. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. For tapas and paella menus and work receptions, we’ll put together a menu of Serrano ham, Manchego with membrillo and patatas bravas for your guests.
Canapé tapas suit smaller London spaces in South Croydon. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
- Area
- South Croydon (CR2, CR8, CR0)
- Area hub
- Greater London
- Dietary options
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it is in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Receptions and parties in South Croydon
South Croydon is about 1 mile south of Croydon, in Greater London. Across the CR2 area, we’ll come to your venue or garden. South Croydon is one of 764 towns and villages in Greater London we cover. Our nearest city page is London, about 10 miles away.
Guests travelling by rail: South Croydon has its own station, Sanderstead station. A picnic in Duppas Hill? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is frequently easier for catering.
Tapas catering in CR2, CR8 and CR0 is planned around your venue. We can cater an event on streets such as Edgar Road, Bynes Road and Grange Road. If your venue is just outside South Croydon, we also cover Croydon (1 mile north), Coombe (1 mile north-east), Sanderstead (1 mile south-east), Riddlesdown (2 miles south) and Selsdon (2 miles east). Larger places within reach include London (10 miles north), City of Westminster (11 miles north), Marylebone (12 miles north), Kensington (11 miles north-west), St Pancras (12 miles north) and Shoreditch (12 miles north).
A little further out are St George's Walk (1.4 miles north) and Purley War Memorial Hospital (1.2 miles south-west). The countryside around South Croydon includes Roundshaw Downs and Duppas Hill.
- Schools near South Croydon include Harris Academy Purley (0.6 miles west) and Rutherford School (0.8 miles north-east)
- Pubs nearby include The Purley Arms (within half a mile south-west)
- Parks and local facilities nearby include County Borough of Croydon (1.3 miles north)
Paella compared with other options
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
Why us?
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- A quote that spells everything out
Take a look at Our pricing Or What paella catering costs.
Occasions we cook for in South Croydon
They’re ideal when a full meal doesn’t fit.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Office parties and launches
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Engagement drinks
Historic houses near South Croydon include Addington Palace (2.4 miles east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Comparing caterers
- Travel and parking costs
- How long the team stays
- The deposit and payment dates
- Whether VAT is included
How it works
Here’s how the day normally runs: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, your guests watch the rice cook, and we serve straight from the pan when you’re ready to eat. A summer drinks reception in South Croydon 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.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Tell us where to park and unload
Get a quote
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in South Croydon? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. To contact us, fill in our quote form.
Read more
The menu, dish by dish
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Ask for labels on each dish
Canapés go round with the drinks as guests arrive.
Spanish desserts to finish.
What tapas catering costs
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- How long we’re needed on site
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- The number of people
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What to tell us
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Try to include:
- Anything your venue supplies
- A picture of the space, if you can
- Which courses you have in mind
- The venue or postcode
It’s easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Also near South Croydon
Other catering in South Croydon
Questions from South Croydon
Can you cook in Duppas Hill?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Augustine?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is typically elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes. Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana, or you can serve your own cake.
Can you bring crockery?
Yes, if you need them. Let us know what you have, and we’ll quote for the rest.
How long do you need on site?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Can you cook indoors?
Typically we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, because we use gas burners. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three is usual: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We will suggest a split based on your guests.
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.
- 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