Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Ashurst, Kent
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Ashurst: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Birthday drinks
- Evening grazing
- Tapas with a paella main course
Live tapas catering in Ashurst
How the day works
A typical event goes like this: 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. At midsummer, it’s light in Ashurst until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
How to prepare
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
Getting a price
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will make suggestions. To start, use our quote form.
Planning help
How our tapas catering works in Ashurst
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. For canapés with welcome drinks and sharing tapas starters, we can cook gambas al ajillo, croquetas and tortilla española and more.
In a rural spot like Ashurst, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
Occasions we cook for in Ashurst
They’re easy to eat with a drink in hand.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In Ashurst, people book us for occasions like:
- Sharing tapas starters
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Birthday drinks
- Canapés with welcome drinks
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Martin of Tours, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Before you book anyone
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- Whether travel is included
- When final numbers are due
- If the price includes VAT
Paella compared with other options
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel special. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Why Ashurst hosts choose us
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- A clear, itemised quote
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
For planners, venues and organisers
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will explain how it works. We are happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Throwing a party at home? Send us a photo of the garden and tell us about access, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Planning a tapas spread in Ashurst
Ashurst is about 5 miles west of Royal Tunbridge Wells, in Kent. We bring tapas catering to gardens, halls and venues around Ashurst. Ashurst is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 24 miles away.
Historic houses near Ashurst include Groombridge Place (1.6 miles south-east) and Bassetts Manor (2.8 miles west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. If you’re looking at a historic venue around Ashurst, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. The High Weald National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Ashurst, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Tapas catering in TN3 is planned around your venue. We can cater an event on streets such as Ashurst Road, Clayton's Lane and Ashurst Hill. Nearby, we also cater events in Stone Cross (1 mile east), Teasley Mead (1 mile north-west), Fordcombe (1 mile north-east), Walter's Green (1 mile north) and Groombridge (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cater in Sevenoaks (11 miles north), Royal Tunbridge Wells (5 miles east), Tonbridge (7 miles north-east), Kings Hill (15 miles north-east), Paddock Wood (11 miles east) and Southborough (5 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Tunbridge Wells Homeopathic Hospital (4.4 miles east) and Bolebroke Castle (2.4 miles west). Open spaces near Ashurst include Broadwater Warren RSPB Reserve.
Also near Ashurst
What else we do in Ashurst
Before you choose a spot
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We look for:
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Access to unload near the serving area
- A spot for our serving station
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before you book.
What we offer
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
A closer look at the menu
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns with a little chilli.
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce, frequently with alioli.
DIY paella versus live catering
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
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.
Planning for every diet
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Here’s how:
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Include staff for canapés
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Tapas go out to the tables.
Bar staff and sangria.
Ashurst questions
How far is Ashurst from London?
Roughly 28 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
What’s the nearest station to Ashurst for guests?
Ashurst has its own station: Ashurst Kent station.
Can we add drinks?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you are providing the drinks.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three covers most guests. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we’ll suggest the mix.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Yes, tapas work on their own, for receptions, parties and evening food.
Can you cater for children?
Yes, children are easy to cater for. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we’ll plan a pan with them in mind.
Do you do desserts?
We can add a dessert. Let us know if you’d like one in your enquiry.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
Yes, on request. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
- 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