Surrey · England
Tapas Catering in Thorpe
Planning tapas catering in Thorpe? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Tapas and paella menus
- Engagement parties
- Evening grazing
Live tapas catering in Thorpe
About our tapas catering in Thorpe
We finish hot tapas on site, so they arrive hot. We’re often asked to cater tapas with a paella main course and engagement drinks, with albóndigas, padrón peppers and gambas al ajillo.
Near Thorpe, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
DIY paella versus live catering
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. 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 be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Towns and villages near Thorpe
Other catering in Thorpe
Space, weather and the venue
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We need:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Room for a tapas table
- Space to finish hot dishes
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
About the dishes
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil with a little chilli.
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce, frequently with alioli.
Planning a tapas spread in Thorpe
Thorpe is about 2 miles south-east of Egham, in Surrey. For tapas catering in Thorpe, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Thorpe. We cover 395 places across Surrey, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 11 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Mary, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Nearby historic houses include Botleys Mansion (2.5 miles south). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
We cook at events all over TW20. Whether your event is on Village Road, Western Avenue and Midway Avenue or a nearby road, we’ll bring the pans to you. Being close to the B388, Thorpe is simple for us to get to with everything for your event. We also cook at events in Thorpe Green (1 mile south-west), Stroude (1 mile west), Egham Hythe (1 mile north), Penton Hook (1 mile east) and Virginia Water (1 mile west). Within a short drive, we also cover Guildford (11 miles south), Woking (7 miles south), Camberley (10 miles south-west), Epsom (12 miles south-east), Ewell (13 miles east) and Walton-on-Thames (6 miles east).
A little further out are Spelthorne Museum (1.9 miles north-east) and Runnymede Hospital (2.2 miles south). Open spaces near Thorpe include Gracious Pond and Manor Lake.
- Schools near Thorpe include The American School In England (less than half a mile east) and The Magna Carta School (1.4 miles north)
- Nearby, you will find The Red Lion pub (within half a mile south)
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We’ll send you a quote.
Why choose Love Paella in Thorpe
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Catering across Surrey, including Thorpe
- Drinks service on request
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
Take a look at How we price Or What paella catering costs.
What tapas catering costs
There is nothing hidden: the quote reflects:
- Distance and access to the venue
- Whether you need crockery
- How many staff you need
- How many guests are eating
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
What to tell us
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Try to include:
- The venue or postcode
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- What the venue already provides
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, send us your details through our quote form.
Planners, venues and businesses
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Thorpe? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we will suggest a menu.
Step by step
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you can enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first as the rice is cooking. A summer drinks reception in Thorpe has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
How to prepare
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
Get a quote
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, use our quote form.
Planning help
Diets, allergies and planning
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Label seafood clearly
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Common questions in Thorpe
What’s the nearest station to Thorpe for guests?
The closest is Virginia Water station, roughly 1.4 miles away.
Is Thorpe too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Can you supply plates?
We can. Let us know what you have, and we’ll quote for the rest.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Can you serve drinks?
Sangria can be added, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas first, paella to follow.
How many tapas per person?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Tell us more for a suggestion.
- 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