Surrey · England
Tapas Catering in St John's
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in St John's. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Anniversary parties
- Launches and office parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Tapas catering for St John's events
Events we cater in St John's
They make a perfect starter before paella.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In St John's, people book us for occasions like:
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Drinks reception canapés
- Engagement drinks
- Birthday and anniversary parties
A picnic in Brookwood Lye? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering.
Before booking anyone
- Whether travel is included
- Allergen information for each dish
- What happens if it rains
- Exactly what’s included in the price
Tapas catering in St John's, made fresh on the day
Tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties, office events and weddings. Whether it is engagement drinks and tapas and paella menus, we will put together a menu of croquetas, padrón peppers and tortilla española and more.
In St John's, tapas work at home or in a local hall. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
Common questions in St John's
Can you cook in Brookwood Lye?
Only if the landowner, normally the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
How far is St John's from London?
Roughly 25 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Absolutely.
What areas do you cover?
We cater across London and the South East, Surrey included. See all areas.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, and it’s a popular combination. Tapas first, paella to follow.
Do you provide drinks?
We can make sangria, and we can staff a bar with your drinks.
How do you work out quantities?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Tell us more for a suggestion.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and meat eaters often go back for seconds. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
How the day works
The paella is cooked in huge, shallow pans over gas burners. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, and we agree where that is before the day. At midsummer, it is light in St John's until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- We pack down when service ends.
Preparing for the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Tell us where to park and unload
How to get 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’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Related guides
Receptions and parties in St John's
St John's is about 1 mile west of Woking, in Surrey. From the centre of St John's to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cover 395 places across Surrey.
Historic buildings near St John's frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Woking station, about 1.6 miles east.
This part of Surrey takes in GU21 and GU22, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. Your event could be at a home on Pond Road, Copse Road and Raglan Road. You will find St John's on the A324, so it is easy for us to reach with the van and pans. If your venue is just outside St John's, we also cover Goldsworth Park (1 mile north-east), Woking (1 mile east), Westfield (2 miles south-east), Horsell (2 miles north-east) and Mimbridge (2 miles north). We also cook in nearby towns such as Guildford (5 miles south), Camberley (6 miles west), Epsom (14 miles east), Farnham (11 miles south-west), Ewell (15 miles east) and Egham (8 miles north).
Nearby you will also find Brookwood Hospital (1 mile west) and The Peacocks (1.6 miles east). Not far away are Brookwood Lye.
- Nearby schools include The Oaktree School (0.6 miles west) and Hoe Valley School (1.2 miles south-east)
- Local pubs include Royal Oak pub (1 mile north-west)
Catering for every guest
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
Canapés go round with the drinks.
Waiting staff for canapés.
Also near St John's
Also in St John's
How we price tapas catering
These are the factors that matter most:
- Waiting and bar staff
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- How many guests are eating
- How long we’re needed on site
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What to tell us
When you contact us, it helps to tell us:
- The venue or postcode
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The courses you’d like
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will make suggestions. Start when you are ready: fill in our quote form.
DIY paella versus live catering
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Why choose live paella in St John's?
Nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
Why St John's hosts choose us
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Catering across Surrey, including St John's
Read How we price And Our guide to catering costs.
Organising for someone else?
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we’ll talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
About the dishes
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic.
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
- 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