Kent · England
Tapas Catering in Boxley
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Boxley and the surrounding area.
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Evening grazing
- Birthday drinks
Tapas catering for Boxley events
Diets, allergies and planning
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Book staff to carry canapés round
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Tapas catering in Boxley, made fresh on the day
We finish hot tapas on site, so they arrive hot. We are often asked to cater sharing tapas starters and engagement drinks, serving padrón peppers, patatas bravas and Serrano ham.
For a country party near Boxley, tapas and sangria set the mood. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
How the day works
The paella is cooked in huge, shallow pans over gas burners. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, and we agree where that is before the day. A summer drinks reception in Boxley has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:00pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:50pm, are better indoors.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Getting ready for the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Let us know the timings for the day
Ask for a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
Related guides
Boxley: venues and local tips
Boxley is about 3 miles north of Maidstone, in Kent. From the centre of Boxley to the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cover all 922 towns and villages across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 23 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Stoneacre (4 miles south). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. A picnic in The Larches? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is frequently easier for catering. Boxley is within about 5 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
For tapas catering in ME14, we plan around your venue and your guests. Local streets include The Street, Styles Lane and Pilgrims Way; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Other places close to Boxley for tapas catering include Dunn Street (2 miles north-east), Lidsing (2 miles north-east), Kit's Coty (2 miles north-west), Lordswood (2 miles north) and Scragged Oak (2 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (3 miles south), Sittingbourne (9 miles east), Gravesend (11 miles north-west), Tonbridge (14 miles south-west), Faversham (15 miles east) and Northfleet (12 miles north-west).
Well-known places in the area include KIMS hospital (1.4 miles south) and Allington Castle (1.6 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Burham Down and Boxley Hills.
- Nearby schools include Valley Park School (2.1 miles south)
- Pubs nearby include The King's Arms (under half a mile south)
Where we can cook in Boxley
If a space isn’t suitable, we will tell you, and help find another spot. What matters most:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Permission from the venue
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
DIY paella versus live catering
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. 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.
The menu, dish by dish
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil with a little chilli.
Also in Boxley
For event organisers in Boxley
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Boxley? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
If you’re organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we are happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
Is live paella right for your event?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel special. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is often good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We will send you a quote.
Why book with us
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Fast service from the pan
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
Read Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
What affects the price in Boxley
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- The length of service
- Your choice of paellas
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Getting an accurate quote
When you contact us, it helps to tell us:
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- What the venue already provides
- The date and rough timings
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, send us your details through our quote form.
Boxley: your questions answered
We’re having a ceremony at St Mary's and All Saints Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
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.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Of course. Tapas and canapés can be booked on their own.
Can you bring crockery?
If you need them, yes. Proper crockery or quality disposables are available.
Do you cater in Boxley?
Yes, we do. Boxley is one of the places we cover. Tell us your date and we will check availability.
Where do you cater?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Boxley.
How many tapas per person?
We plan quantities around your timings and courses. Give us the details and we will advise.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Yes. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
- 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