Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Allington, Kent
Paella for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Allington.
- Engagement parties
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Tapas starters
Book tapas catering in Allington
Allington: venues and local tips
Allington is about 2 miles north-west of Maidstone, in Kent. Anywhere in ME16, we can bring the pans to you. Allington is one of 922 places in Kent we cover. Our events stretch from Allington to Canterbury (about 25 miles away).
A picnic in Whatman Park? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is frequently easier for catering. Historic buildings near Allington frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 7 miles of Allington, ideal for an outdoor reception.
We cover events in every part of the ME16, ME20 and ME14 postcode area and the streets around it. We can cater an event on streets such as Wyatt Road, Beaver Road and Godwin Road or the roads around them. For events just outside Allington, we cover Aylesford (1 mile north-west), Fant (1 mile south), Ditton (2 miles west), East Farleigh (2 miles south) and Kettle Corner (2 miles south-west). Further out, we also cater in Sittingbourne (11 miles east), Sevenoaks (13 miles west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (14 miles south-west), Gravesend (11 miles north-west), Tonbridge (11 miles south-west) and Northfleet (12 miles north-west).
Well-known places in the area include Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum (1.3 miles south-east) and Fremlin Walk (1.3 miles south-east). The countryside around Allington includes Burham Down and Boxley Hills.
- Schools near Allington include The Maplesden Noakes School (0.7 miles south-east) and St. Simon Stock Catholic School (0.9 miles south)
- Pubs nearby include Malta Inn (0.8 miles north-east)
Tapas catering for your event in Allington
We will suggest a selection to suit your timings and guests, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. We are often asked to cater tapas before paella and sharing boards for evening guests, with gambas al ajillo, tortilla española and Serrano ham.
Tapas make a party in Allington easy and sociable. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
Who books tapas catering in Allington?
Tapas are sociable food, because everyone shares.
Whatever you’re celebrating in Allington, live paella can be the centrepiece. We frequently cook for:
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Evening sharing boards
- Office parties and launches
Guests travelling by rail: Barming station is about 0.8 miles away.
Questions to ask before you book
- Payment terms and deposit
- What the price includes, item by item
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- What the caterer needs from your venue
Nearby places to Allington
Also in Allington
Prices and what affects them
The price comes down to a few factors:
- How many staff you need
- Parking and unloading
- How many guests are eating
- Your choice of paellas
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
What to tell us
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The courses you’d like
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The date and time of the event
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, send us your details through 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. We take care of all of it.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Catering for every guest
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Include staff for canapés
- Check diets in advance
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Dishes our guests love
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce.
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
The process
The cooking is part of the entertainment. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring while your guests chat. Evening receptions in Allington stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:15pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Getting ready for the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
Getting a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Read more
Is live paella right for your event?
Standard canapés can feel samey. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why book with us
- A clear, itemised quote
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Events in Allington and across Kent
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
Take a look at Our pricing And The cost guide.
Where we can cook in Allington
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We need:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Access to unload near the serving area
- A spot for our serving station
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
Menu ideas
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
FAQs for Allington
Which station should guests use for Allington?
The closest is Barming station, roughly 0.8 miles away.
Can you cook in Whatman Park?
Only if the landowner, normally the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
How much does tapas catering cost in Allington?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
How do you work out quantities?
That depends on their role in the meal. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest quantities.
What areas do you cover?
We cater across London and the South East, including Kent. See all areas.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Lots. Tortilla, bravas and Manchego are popular vegetarian choices.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three is usual: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We will suggest a split based on your guests.
- 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