Surrey · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Staines-upon-Thames: paella cooked from scratch in huge pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Evening grazing
- Tapas starters
- Engagement drinks
Planning an event in Staines-upon-Thames?
Tapas catering in Staines-upon-Thames, made fresh on the day
We will recommend a tapas selection for your event, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. We are often asked to cater evening sharing boards and tapas before paella, with Serrano ham, gambas al ajillo and croquetas.
In a town like Staines-upon-Thames, tapas suit garden parties, hall parties and receptions. Hot tapas need a spot to finish them. We plan the timings around your day, so the paella is ready when you want to eat.
Space, weather and the venue
No two venues are the same, so we will ask about yours when you contact us. Generally, we look for:
- Room for a tapas table
- Permission from the venue
- Space to finish hot dishes
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
Also near Staines-upon-Thames
Other catering in Staines-upon-Thames
Catering for every guest
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. A few tips:
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Is live paella right for your event?
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas are hard to beat. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
Why us?
- Drinks service on request
- Events in Staines-upon-Thames and across Surrey
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
Planning a tapas spread in Staines-upon-Thames
Staines-upon-Thames is about 7 miles south-west of Hayes, in Surrey. For an event in Staines-upon-Thames, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices. We cater in 395 places in Surrey, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Staines-upon-Thames to Guildford (13 miles away).
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Peter. For guests coming by train, Staines-upon-Thames has its own station, Staines station.
Anywhere in TW18, TW20 and TW19, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Your event could be at a home on High Street, Goring's Square and London Road or the roads around them. Staines-upon-Thames is on the A308 and A320, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. Close by, we cover events in Egham Hythe (1 mile south-west), Penton Hook (2 miles south), Hythe End (2 miles north-west), Egham (2 miles west) and Thorpe (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Guildford (13 miles south), Woking (8 miles south), Camberley (12 miles south-west), Epsom (12 miles south-east), Ewell (12 miles south-east) and Walton-on-Thames (5 miles south-east).
Nearby you’ll also find Ashford Hospital (1.8 miles north-east) and Spelthorne Museum (0.5 miles north-west). Open spaces near Staines-upon-Thames include Staines Reservoirs and Kempton Park Reservoirs.
- Nearby schools include The Magna Carta School (0.7 miles west)
- Local pubs include The Star pub (within half a mile north)
What tapas catering costs
There is nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Guest numbers
- The paellas you choose
- Parking and unloading
Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
What we need to know
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- The venue or postcode
- Anything your venue supplies
- A picture of where we’d cook
- The date and time of the event
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can send us your details through our quote form.
Organising for someone else?
Hosting 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.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Dishes our guests love
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns.
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside, often with ham or mushroom.
The process
The paella is cooked in huge, shallow pans over gas burners. We need a level, ventilated spot, which we agree with you beforehand. Evening receptions in Staines-upon-Thames stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We pack down when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Share the running order, including any speeches
Ask for a quote
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will send a clear, itemised quote.
Planning help
Common questions in Staines-upon-Thames
We are having a ceremony at Church of St Peter: can you cater afterwards?
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 normally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Which station should guests use for Staines-upon-Thames?
Staines station, in Staines-upon-Thames itself.
How much is live paella catering?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Do you cater in Staines-upon-Thames?
We do. Staines-upon-Thames is one of the places we cover. Tell us your date and we will check availability.
What do you need at the venue?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, in front of your guests.
How soon do we need to book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
What about pudding?
Yes. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
Perfect for your event in Staines-upon-Thames
They’re ideal when a full meal doesn’t fit.
In Staines-upon-Thames and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Some of the most common are:
- Launches and office parties
- Engagement drinks
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Historic buildings near Staines-upon-Thames frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue.
What to look for in a quote
- The wet-weather plan
- Staff numbers and hours
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Travel and parking costs
- 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