Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Badlesmere, Kent
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Badlesmere. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, then served hot from the pan.
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Work receptions
- Tapas and paella menus
Tapas catering in Badlesmere
Tapas catering for your event in Badlesmere
Tapas pair naturally with a live paella, served while the paella cooks, but they work on their own too. We cook padrón peppers, croquetas and gambas al ajillo, and typical bookings are for launches and office parties and drinks reception canapés.
In a rural spot like Badlesmere, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
Planning for every diet
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. Our advice:
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Serving boards and crockery.
Prices and what affects them
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- The paellas you choose
- How many courses
Larger events usually cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Getting an accurate quote
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- The courses you’d like
- Where the event is
- The date and rough timings
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. When you’re ready, send us your details through our quote form.
Receptions and parties in Badlesmere
Badlesmere is about 4 miles south of Preston, in Kent. We cater events at gardens, halls and venues around Badlesmere. Badlesmere is one of 922 places in Kent we cover. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 9 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Belmont House and Gardens (1.9 miles north-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. Guests travelling by rail: Selling station is about 2.7 miles away. Badlesmere is within about 6 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Tapas catering in ME13 is planned around your venue and timings. Other places close to Badlesmere for tapas catering include Sheldwich Lees (1 mile north), Sheldwich (1 mile north), Throwley (1 mile west), Throwley Forstal (1 mile west) and North Street (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (15 miles west), Ashford (8 miles south), Canterbury (9 miles east), Sittingbourne (9 miles north-west), Whitstable (9 miles north-east) and Faversham (4 miles north).
Nearby you’ll also find Tower keep castle at Chilham (3.4 miles east).
- Pubs nearby include Red Lion pub (0.8 miles south-west)
Step by step
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. Sunset in Badlesmere is around 9:15pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Getting ready for the day
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Let us know the timings for the day
How to get a price
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Planners, venues and businesses
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Towns and villages near Badlesmere
Other catering in Badlesmere
Perfect for your event in Badlesmere
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
Big or small, live paella works well. Common bookings include:
- Evening grazing
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Cocktail parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Leonard, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Comparing caterers
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Who provides the crockery
- The wet-weather plan
- VAT, if it applies
Why choose live paella in Badlesmere?
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, so they fit most plans. The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
What you get with us
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
Take a look at Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Space, weather and the venue
We’ll agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Parking near the venue
- Permission from the venue
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
Menu ideas
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
Badlesmere: your questions answered
Can you cook at venues in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
How far is Badlesmere from London?
Roughly 45 miles from the centre of London.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes, we do. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in its own pan.
When should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it is short notice, it is worth asking.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we’ll check with you and the venue.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you’re providing the drinks.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
Do you come to Badlesmere?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, including Badlesmere and the rest of Kent. To check your date, fill in our quote form.
Dishes our guests love
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce.
- 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