Iberian Signature
Iberian Signature — Spanish Premium Catering in London
The Iberian Signature is Vlamber’s core culinary identity. It is the cuisine at the heart of everything we do — Spanish gastronomy at its most honest and most impressive, adapted for professional event catering in London. From hand-carved Jamón Ibérico de Bellota and slow-cooked arroces to properly made croquetas, Basque-style cheesecake and live paella stations, the Iberian Signature brings the depth and confidence of Spanish cooking to corporate events, weddings, private celebrations and brand activations across London.
Why Spannish Cuisine Works Exceptionally Well At Catering Events In London
Spanish cuisine’s versatility fosters connection among guests — it is one of the most consistently well-received culinary directions available in London event catering, working across corporate, wedding and private event formats with equal effectiveness. timeout
London’s event catering market has a sophisticated relationship with Spanish food. Jamón Ibérico, paella, croquetas and pan cristal are understood and appreciated by the city’s international guest lists — they carry prestige without being unfamiliar, and they deliver flavour without being divisive.
At Vlamber, the Iberian Signature is not a themed catering option — it is a serious culinary identity. Our chefs work with proper Spanish ingredients, classical techniques and a respect for the tradition behind the food. The result is Spanish catering in London that feels genuinely Spanish, not a generic approximation of it.
Prestige without pretension
Jamón Ibérico de Bellota, Oscietra caviar on a blini and a properly made paella all communicate quality in an immediate way that guests understand and respond to
Universally appealing flavours
Spanish food is bold, clean and satisfying; it works for international guest lists and mixed dietary profiles
Visual impact
the presentation of Spanish food at catering events is naturally strong: a whole leg of jamón, a giant paella pan, a styled table of pan cristal and toppings
Theatre
live stations, carving experiences and show cooking are central to Spanish catering culture and translate directly into memorable event moments
Seasonal depth
Spanish gastronomy is deeply seasonal; the menu changes with what is best, not with what is convenient
The Iberian Signature Across All Event Formats
The Iberian Signature adapts to every catering format we offer in London — from a delivered office working lunch to a full wedding catering programme with live stations.
Spanish-inspired canapés are among the strongest performers at London catering receptions. They are designed to be eaten in one or two bites, they hold well on a tray and they carry flavour with conviction.
- The most theatrical expression of Spanish catering available — a chef cooking a proper paella in a giant pan in front of your guests, filling the room with saffron and the sound of a proper sofrito. One of the most requested live stations at London catering events.
A skilled cortador carving acorn-fed Iberian ham to order, served with pan cristal and extra virgin olive oil. The single most visually striking live station we offer at London events.
Spanish-inspired working lunches — pan cristal with toppings, tortilla española in portions, ensaladilla rusa, croquetas, arroces — bring genuine flavour and identity to corporate catering in London that a standard sandwich platter cannot match.
From a refined three-course dinner through to a full tasting menu, Spanish gastronomy is as comfortable at a plated seated dinner as it is at a standing reception. The techniques, the ingredients and the progression of courses translate directly into fine dining catering in London.
Spanish cuisine brings authenticity and warmth to wedding catering — from intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations — with menus that tell a story through the food and create moments that guests remember long after the day itself. Butterdream Bakery
Iberian Signature Across Event Types In London
Event type | Iberian Signature recommendation |
Canapé reception catering London | Croquetas + gilda + pan cristal + tortilla + jamón carving station |
Working lunch catering London | Pan cristal bar + tortilla portions + ensaladilla rusa + arroz meloso bowl |
Wedding catering London | Paella live station + full reception canapés + plated dinner with Spanish direction |
Corporate event catering London | Jamón carving + arroz meloso bowls + gazpacho shots + Basque cheesecake |
Private dining catering London | Full Iberian tasting menu — 5 or 7 courses with Spanish wine pairing |
Brand event catering London | Jamón carving + gilda + pan cristal station + Basque cheesecake bites |
Christmas party catering London | Arroz negro + croquetas + tortilla + churros con chocolate |
The Iberian Signature Menu - What We Cook
At Vlamber, the Iberian Signature menu for London catering events is built around three principles: proper ingredients, proper technique and proper seasoning. Spanish cooking is not complicated — it is confident, and that confidence comes from the quality of the produce and the respect shown to it.
Cold canapés:
- Pan cristal con tomate y jamón ibérico — thin, crispy bread with grated fresh tomato, extra virgin olive oil and sliced acorn-fed Iberian ham
- Gilda premium — Cantabrian anchovy, Basque piparra pepper and gordal olive on a skewer, finished with smoked oil
- Tartar de atún rojo — red tuna tartare with avocado, yuzu aioli and a sesame rice crisp
- Boquerón en vinagre sobre tosta — white anchovy in vinegar with piquillo pepper on artisan toast
- Navaja con cítrico — razor clam with lemon oil and micro herbs (seasonal)
- Ostra con granita de sidra — oyster with a cider and apple granita (premium)
- Melón con jamón — fresh melon with Iberian ham, a classic reinvented
Warm canapés:
- Croqueta trufada de jamón ibérico — the Vlamber signature: a proper béchamel croqueta with Iberian ham and truffle, with a liquid centre
- Croqueta de bacalao — salt cod croquette with piquillo pepper aioli
- Tortilla española en porciones — traditional Spanish omelette, properly made with potato and onion, served warm
- Buñuelo de bacalao — salt cod fritter with honey and chilli
- Pimiento del piquillo relleno de brandada — piquillo pepper stuffed with salt cod brandade
- Chipirones a la plancha — grilled baby squid with aioli and smoked paprika (mini format)
Sharing bites:
- Pan cristal station — thin artisan bread with grated tomato, AOVE, Maldon salt and toppings (jamón, anchoa, queso curado)
- Tabla de embutidos ibéricos — lomo ibérico, chorizo ibérico, salchichón ibérico with artisan bread
- Queso manchego curado con membrillo — aged Manchego with quince jelly
The arroz is the centrepiece of the Spanish catering repertoire — and at Vlamber it is treated with the seriousness it deserves. All rice dishes use authentic Spanish bomba rice, a proper sofrito base, house-made stocks and genuine saffron.
Paella de marisco — king prawns, mussels, clams and squid with saffron, sofrito, bomba rice and alioli. The classic.
Paella valenciana — chicken, rabbit, green beans, butter beans, sofrito and saffron. The original — deeply flavoursome and properly traditional.
Paella de pollo — free-range chicken with sofrito, roasted peppers, saffron and bomba rice. The most accessible version for mixed London audiences.
Arroz negro — squid ink rice with cuttlefish, king prawns and saffron aioli. Visually dramatic and deeply complex.
Arroz meloso — a wetter, creamier rice — less paella, more soupy — with seafood, saffron and a finishing of alioli. One of the most popular bowl food options at London catering events.
Arroz a banda — the fisherman's rice, cooked in a deep fish stock. Served with alioli and lemon.
Arroz vegano — seasonal vegetables, artichokes, green beans, sofrito, saffron. A proper vegan arroz — not a compromise.
Fish and seafood:
- Pulpo a la gallega — slow-cooked octopus, olive oil, smoked paprika and Maldon salt on cachelo potato
- Gambas al ajillo — king prawns with garlic, chilli and extra virgin olive oil, served with crusty bread
- Pescaíto frito — mixed fried fish with lemon and aioli (event format: served in individual cones)
- Boquerones al vinagre — white anchovies marinated in vinegar with garlic and parsley
- Vieiras con crema de coliflor — seared scallop with cauliflower purée and Iberian ham dust (premium)
- Ceviche con leche de tigre — sea bass ceviche with tiger milk, red onion and chilli (contemporary)
Meat:
- Carrillera ibérica estofada — slow-braised Iberian pork cheek with Pedro Ximénez reduction and creamy potato
- Secreto ibérico a la brasa — grilled Iberian secreto cut with romesco and alioli
- Costillas glaseadas — slow-cooked pork ribs with honey, smoked paprika and orange glaze
- Pollo al ajillo — chicken with garlic, white wine and herbs — properly made, properly seasoned
Vegetables:
- Pimientos de Padrón — blistered padron peppers with sea salt
- Espinacas con garbanzos — spinach and chickpea stew with cumin and smoked paprika (vegan)
- Alcachofas confitadas — confit artichoke hearts with AOVE and herbs
- Ensalada de tomate y anchoa — heirloom tomato salad with Cantabrian anchovy, shallot and AOVE
Cold dishes:
- Gazpacho andaluz — cold tomato and vegetable soup with cucumber, pepper and AOVE (served in glasses at receptions)
- Salmorejo cordobés — thicker, richer tomato cream with Iberian ham dust and boiled egg
- Ensaladilla rusa de autor — the Vlamber version of the Spanish classic: potato salad with king prawns, homemade mayonnaise and seasonal garnish
Starters:
- Vieira con crema de coliflor trufada, jamón ibérico y caviar — seared scallop, truffle cauliflower purée, crispy Iberian ham and Oscietra caviar
- Gazpacho de remolacha con langostino — chilled beetroot gazpacho with seared king prawn and AOVE
- Ensalada de tomate heritage con burrata y anchoa — heritage tomato, burrata, Cantabrian anchovy and basil oil
Main courses:
- Rodaballo salvaje con beurre blanc de azafrán y espárragos — wild turbot with saffron beurre blanc, asparagus and samphire
- Carrillera ibérica con puré de patata trufado y reducción de PX — Iberian pork cheek, truffle mashed potato and Pedro Ximénez reduction
- Secreto ibérico con romesco, patata rota y pimientos asados — grilled Iberian secreto, romesco, smashed potato and roasted peppers
- Lubina a la sal o a la espalda — sea bass baked in salt or in the Basque style, with AOVE and pickled peppers
- Opción vegetariana: Menestra de verduras de temporada con espuma de ajo blanco — seasonal vegetable menestra with white garlic foam
Desserts:
- Tarta de queso vasca — the Basque-style cheesecake: deeply caramelised on top, almost liquid in the centre, with warm berry compote and artisan honey
- Crema catalana — set custard with orange and cinnamon, caramelised sugar crust torched to order
- Churros con chocolate — freshly made churros with a proper 70% dark chocolate dipping sauce
- Tocino de cielo — the intensely rich Spanish egg yolk custard, served in individual portions with caramel
- Arroz con leche — traditional rice pudding, properly made with whole milk, lemon and cinnamon, served chilled with cinnamon sugar
Jamón Ibérico Carving Experience The most iconic live station catering moment in the Iberian Signature repertoire. A skilled cortador carving D.O. acorn-fed Iberian ham to order at a traditional jamonero stand, served with pan cristal, grated tomato and extra virgin olive oil.
Paella Live Station A chef cooking authentic paella in a giant traditional pan in front of your guests — sofrito, bomba rice, saffron, stock and the socarrat. Available in multiple varieties. The most theatrical live catering station at London events.
Pan Cristal Station A styled self-serve station with thin artisan bread, bowls of grated fresh tomato, premium extra virgin olive oil, Maldon salt and toppings — Iberian ham, Cantabrian anchovy, queso manchego curado. Simple, generous and visually impressive.
Tortilla Station A chef making fresh tortilla española to order — sliced and served warm, with aioli and pickled peppers alongside.
Gazpacho Station Individual shot glasses of chilled gazpacho andaluz or salmorejo cordobés passed on trays through the room — a cooling, flavoursome and distinctively Spanish canapé moment.
Ingredients - How We Source
At Vlamber, the quality of the Iberian Signature at London catering events depends entirely on the quality of the ingredients behind it. We source with care.
Jamón Ibérico de Bellota D.O. We use only Denominación de Origen certified acorn-fed Iberian ham from trusted Spanish producers. The provenance of the jamón is verifiable and we are transparent about it.
Bomba Rice All paella and arroz dishes use Spanish Denominación de Origen bomba rice — the only rice that delivers the correct texture and absorbs stock properly without becoming stodgy.
Saffron Genuine Denominación de Origen saffron from La Mancha — not a substitute or a colouring.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Premium Spanish AOVE — cold-pressed, properly graded. We do not use generic cooking oil in any dish where olive oil matters.
Pimentón de la Vera Smoked paprika from La Vera, Extremadura — the one with genuine depth and smokiness.
Cantabrian Anchovies Hand-selected, properly cured Cantabrian anchovies — not tinned Spanish anchovies.
Iberian Charcuterie Lomo ibérico, chorizo ibérico de bellota and salchichón ibérico from verified Iberian producers.
Seafood Fresh, sustainably sourced shellfish and fish — sourced as close to the event date as possible for freshness.
Dietetary - Management - Iberian Signature
Spanish cuisine is naturally inclusive of many dietary requirements:
- Gluten-Free — most Spanish dishes are naturally gluten-free; croquetas can be adapted; pan cristal has gluten-free alternatives
- Dairy-Free — the majority of the savoury Iberian Signature menu is dairy-free; aioli, romesco and tomato-based sauces contain no dairy
- Vegan — proper vegan arroces, pimientos de Padrón, espinacas con garbanzos, gazpacho, alcachofas confitadas and seasonal vegetable dishes are all genuinely vegan
- Vegetarian — extensive vegetarian options across every format
- Halal-friendly — available on request; we confirm which dishes apply and adjust accordingly
- Nut-Free — the Iberian Signature menu contains very few nut ingredients; confirm at the proposal stage
Pairing — Iberian Wines With The Iberian Signature
| Wine Category | Iberian Signature recommendation |
| White wines | Albariño (Rías Baixas D.O.) — fresh, mineral, slightly saline — the definitive pairing for seafood paella and fish dishesGodello (Valdeorras) — rich and aromatic — works beautifully with arroz meloso and pork dishesVerdejo (Rueda D.O.) — clean and herbal — excellent with gambas al ajillo and lighter tapas |
| Cava | Cava Brut Nature (Penedès) — the Spanish sparkling wine for receptions and canapé moments |
| Red wines | Rioja Reserva — aged Tempranillo with oak structure — the classic pairing for Iberian meat dishesRibera del Duero — powerful, structured Tempranillo — for slow-cooked Iberian pork and secretoPriorat — concentrated, mineral and profound — for the most prestigious plated dinner pairingsGarnacha (Campo de Borja) — lighter, fruit-forward — for tapas receptions and informal formats |
| Sherry | Manzanilla or Fino — ice-cold, bone dry — the most traditional pairing for jamón ibérico and seafood tapasAmontillado — for pork dishes and aged cheesePedro Ximénez — for dessert pairings, particularly with tocino de cielo and Basque cheesecake |
Sample Iberian Signature Menus For London Events
For a 2-hour standing reception catering event in London
Cold canapés: Pan cristal con tomate y jamón ibérico — Gilda premium — Tartar de atún con alioli de yuzu
Warm canapés: Croqueta trufada de jamón ibérico — Buñuelo de bacalao con miel — Pimiento del piquillo relleno de brandada
Live station: Jamón Ibérico Carving Experience — cortador working throughout
Sweet close: Mini tarta de queso vasca con compota de frutos del bosque
For a corporate working lunch catering event in London
Pan cristal con tomate, AOVE y toppings (jamón, anchoa, queso curado) Tortilla española en porciones Ensaladilla rusa de autor con langostino Pimientos de Padrón Salmorejo cordobés individual Mini tarta de queso vasca
For a three-course seated catering event in London
Starter: Vieira con crema de coliflor trufada, jamón ibérico crujiente y alioli
Main: Carrillera ibérica estofada con reducción de PX, puré de patata trufado y espinacas al ajillo
Dessert: Tarta de queso vasca con miel de trufa, pol·len d'abella i compota de frutillas del bosque
For a wedding catering event in London
Reception: Canapés ibéricos (6 varieties) — Jamón Ibérico Carving Station throughout
Wedding breakfast: Starter: Gazpacho andaluz servido en copa con AOVE y brotes Main: Rodaballo salvaje con beurre blanc de azafrán, espárragos y samphire — or — Carrillera ibérica con PX y patata trufada Dessert: Tarta de queso vasca
Evening food: Paella Live Station — Iberian pork varieties — Basque cheesecake portions
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Iberian Signature combines naturally with the Modern Mediterranean, the Levantine selection and European Contemporary — and is the foundation of many of our multi-cuisine catering events in London.
Yes. Key Iberian ingredients — jamón ibérico de bellota, bomba rice, saffron, pimentón de la Vera, Cantabrian anchovies and Iberian charcuterie — are sourced from trusted Spanish and UK-based Spanish importers. We verify provenance and quality at every stage.
Yes. Pan cristal with toppings, tortilla española, ensaladilla rusa, croquetas and Basque cheesecake all travel and hold well for delivered catering events in London. We advise on the best dishes for your format at the proposal stage.
Yes. Spanish cuisine is not heavily spiced — the heat comes only from a small number of dishes (pimientos de Padrón, gambas al ajillo). We confirm spice levels at the proposal stage and adjust accordingly for corporate catering events in London where a mild profile is preferred.
Yes. A full Iberian Signature wedding catering programme — reception canapés, paella live station, plated dinner with Spanish direction, Basque cheesecake — is one of our most requested complete wedding catering formats in London.
Add The Iberian Signature To Your London Event
The Iberian Signature is available across every Vlamber catering format in London — from a delivered working lunch to a full wedding catering programme with live stations and a plated dinner. It is the cuisine at the heart of Vlamber and the one we execute with the most depth and confidence.
Tell us your event date, location in London, guest numbers and format and we will build an Iberian Signature proposal tailored to your event.