Live paella catering, cooked fresh at your event · London and the South East
A spread of tapas on wooden boards with glasses of red wine

Greater London · England

Tapas & canapé catering in Southgate, Greater London

From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Southgate.

  • Tapas with a paella main course
  • Cocktail parties
  • Birthday drinks

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Live tapas catering in Southgate

Cook it yourself or book a caterer?

Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.

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.

About our tapas catering in Southgate

Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. For table tapas as a starter and canapés with welcome drinks, we can cook croquetas, Manchego with membrillo and albóndigas and more.

Canapé tapas suit smaller London spaces in Southgate. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.

Location
Southgate (N14, N11, N21, N13)
Area hub
Greater London
Special diets
Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
Also available
Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
Quotes
Contact us for a quote
Page updated
23 October 2026
Rows of canapés on a wooden board

Perfect for your event in Southgate

One spread covers many tastes and diets.

Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We frequently cook for:

  • Tapas before paella
  • Drinks parties and receptions
  • Table tapas as a starter
  • Office parties and launches

Parks such as Grovelands Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.

Questions to ask before booking

  • Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
  • How bad weather is handled
  • Travel and parking costs
  • The venue requirements

Our caterer checklist

For event organisers in Southgate

Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.

Hosting a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.

Common questions in Southgate

Can you cater a reception after a service at Christ Church Southgate Parish Church?

Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is typically elsewhere. Send us the reception address.

Is parking a problem for events in Southgate?

It can be, so tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway. We’ll work around it.

Do you do desserts?

Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Let us know if you’d like one when you ask for a quote.

How many tapas per person?

It depends on whether they’re a starter, canapés or the whole meal. We’ll suggest quantities for your event.

Which areas do you serve?

We cover London and the South East, including Greater London. Find your area.

Is halal food available?

Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in its own pan.

How many paellas should we have?

Normally two or three, so every guest has a choice. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we will suggest the mix.

How much is live paella catering?

Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.

How we price tapas catering

We will give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:

  • How many staff you need
  • Your choice of paellas
  • Parking and unloading
  • Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert

The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.

What we need to know

Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:

  • Any dietary needs and allergies
  • The courses you’d like
  • Where the event is
  • Expected numbers

Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. Start when you’re ready: fill in our quote form.

How the day works

We work to your timings. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we adjust the cooking so it’s still served fresh. A summer drinks reception in Southgate has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.

  1. Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
  2. We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
  3. On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
  4. Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
  5. We clear away our equipment when service is finished.

Preparing for the day

  • Let us know the timings for the day
  • Arrange parking near the cooking spot
  • Give us your final numbers and diets

Ask for a quote

The quickest way to a quote is to use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Southgate, and we’ll put together a menu and price.

Ask for a quote

Planning help

Dietary needs and planning tips

Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To get it right:

  • Add sangria or cava
  • Label seafood clearly
  • Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
  • Include staff for canapés

Table tapas are set down to share.

Serving boards and crockery.

Southgate: venues and local tips

Southgate is about 3 miles south-east of Barnet, in Greater London. Tell us where your event in Southgate will be, and we will plan access and set-up. We cater in 764 places in Greater London. Our events stretch from Southgate to London (9 miles away).

Guests travelling by rail: New Southgate station is about 1 mile away. Nearby historic houses include Bruce Castle (3.2 miles south-east) and Heath Hall (4 miles south-west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.

Wherever your event is in N14, N11, N21 and N13, we can bring tapas catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. That could mean an event in a garden on High Street, Station Road and Blagden's Close or the roads around them. You’ll find Southgate on the A111 and A1004, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. Other places close to Southgate for tapas catering include Osidge (1 mile north-west), Brunswick Park (1 mile west), Arnos Grove (1 mile south), New Southgate (1 mile south) and Oakwood (1 mile north). Within a short drive, we also cover London (9 miles south), City of Westminster (8 miles south), Marylebone (8 miles south), Kensington (9 miles south), St Pancras (7 miles south) and Shoreditch (7 miles south).

Nearby you’ll also find Municipal Borough of Southgate (1.3 miles south-east) and Grand Arcade (2.1 miles south-west). Not far away are Highgate Hill and Barfield Allotments Nature Park.

  • Nearby schools include Ashmole Academy (less than half a mile north) and Salcombe School (0.8 miles north)
  • Nearby, you will find The New Crown pub (less than half a mile north)
Map of Southgate © OpenStreetMap contributors

Paella compared with other options

If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas are hard to beat. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before you book.

Why Southgate hosts choose us

  • A quote that spells everything out
  • Catering across Greater London, including Southgate
  • Fast service from the pan
  • Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them

See Our prices page Or Our guide to catering costs.

About the dishes

Gambas al ajillo

Popular with prawn fans.

Manchego & membrillo

A simple, classic pairing.

  • 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

See the menu · How it works · Get a quote