Kent · England
Tapas Catering for Aldington events
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Aldington. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Engagement drinks
Tapas catering in Aldington
Tapas catering for your event in Aldington
We finish hot tapas on site, so they’re served at their best. Whether it is engagement drinks and tapas before paella, we’ll put together a menu of padrón peppers, albóndigas and croquetas for your guests.
In a rural spot like Aldington, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
Catering for every guest
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Step by step
Here’s how the day generally runs: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and it’s served hot from the pan at the agreed time. A summer drinks reception in Aldington has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:00pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:50pm, are better indoors.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Before we arrive
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
Get a quote
The quickest way to a quote is to use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Aldington, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Read more
Events we cater in Aldington
They’re the classic starter before paella.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Birthday drinks
- Engagement drinks
- Work receptions
- Welcome-drink canapés
Nearby historic houses include Westenhanger Castle (3.9 miles east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Questions to ask before booking
- Payment terms and deposit
- The deadline for final numbers
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- Any travel, parking or access charges
What we need at the venue
Before the day, we will agree where we cook. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Permission from the venue
- A spot for our serving station
- Access to unload near the serving area
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
On the menu in Aldington
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
Planning a tapas spread in Aldington
Aldington is about 5 miles south-east of Ashford, in Kent. We cater events at gardens, halls and venues around Aldington and nearby villages. We cater in all 922 towns and villages in Kent. Our events stretch from Aldington to Canterbury (about 14 miles away).
If you are looking at a historic venue around Aldington, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Parks such as Poulton Wood have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. Aldington is within about 7 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Tapas catering in TN25 is planned around your venue. Local streets include Earlsfield, Walnut Ridge and Badgers Close; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Nearby, we also cater events in Clap Hill (1 mile north-west), Stonestreet Green (1 mile north), Bonnington (1 mile south-west), Postling Green (1 mile south-east) and Aldington Frith (1 mile west). Within a short drive, we also cover Ashford (5 miles north-west), Canterbury (14 miles north-east), Folkestone (10 miles east), Hythe (6 miles east), Preston (15 miles north) and Hawkinge (10 miles east).
Other landmarks nearby include Lympne Castle (3.8 miles east) and William Harvey Hospital (3.6 miles north). Not far away are Hatch Park.
- Local pubs include Walnut Tree Inn (less than half a mile east)
Prices and what affects them
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- Travel, parking and access
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- The paellas you choose
- The length of service
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What we need to know
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- What the venue already provides
- A picture of where we’d cook
- The address or venue name
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Towns and villages near Aldington
Other catering in Aldington
Aldington: your questions answered
What’s the nearest station to Aldington for guests?
The closest is Ham Street station, roughly 4.1 miles away.
Can you cook in Poulton Wood?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
How much paella per person?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Tell us what else is being served. Our guide to portions explains more.
Can you cook in the rain?
We cook under cover, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We’ll agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Yes. Tortilla, bravas and Manchego are popular vegetarian choices.
Can you do sangria?
Yes, sangria. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.
Can you bring crockery?
Yes, on request. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables are available.
Do you cook it at the event?
It is. We arrive with everything we need and cook it there and then, then serve straight from the pan.
About the dishes
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns with a little chilli.
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside.
Organising for someone else?
If you are planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we’re happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
- 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