Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Buttsole, Kent
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Buttsole.
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Evening grazing
- Engagement parties
Book tapas catering in Buttsole
Tapas catering in Buttsole, cooked live
We’ll recommend a tapas selection for your event, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. For drinks reception canapés and engagement drinks, we’ll put together a menu of tortilla española, patatas bravas and padrón peppers for your guests.
In a rural spot like Buttsole, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We plan the timings around your day, so the paella is ready when you want to eat.
Planning the cooking area
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- Space for a serving table or station
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Space to finish hot dishes
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
What we offer
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
What happens on the day
Watching it cook is half the fun. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook. Evening receptions in Buttsole stay light until about 8:45pm 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 arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Getting ready for the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
Get a quote
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
For planners, venues and organisers
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Events in public spaces, like parks, generally need permission. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Prices and what affects them
Your quote will be clear and itemised. The main things that affect it are:
- Parking and unloading
- How many staff you need
- Whether you need crockery
- Timings and hours
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
What we need to know
For a quote, it helps to have:
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
To get a price, use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Buttsole, and we’ll put together a menu and price.
Live paella or other catering?
For food that gets people mingling, tapas are hard to beat. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is often good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
Why book with us
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Drinks service on request
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
Read Our prices page And The cost guide.
Nearby places to Buttsole
Other catering in Buttsole
Tapas for events in Buttsole
Buttsole is about 4 miles north-west of Deal, in Kent. We bring tapas catering to gardens, halls and venues around Buttsole. We cook in 922 places in Kent. Our events stretch from Buttsole to Canterbury (about 10 miles away).
Historic houses near Buttsole include Goodnestone Park (3.5 miles west) and Walmer Castle (4.9 miles south-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. Guests travelling by rail: Sandwich station is about 2.5 miles away. With the sea within about 5 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Wherever your event is in CT13 and CT14, we can cook for your guests. Streets in the area include Mill Lane, Liss Road and High Street, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Other places close to Buttsole for tapas catering include Eastry (1 mile north), Ham (1 mile east), Statenborough (1 mile north-east), Marley (2 miles east) and Felderland (2 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Canterbury (10 miles west), Margate (10 miles north), Dover (7 miles south), Folkestone (12 miles south-west), Ramsgate (8 miles north-east) and Broadstairs (10 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include The Precinct Toy Collection (2.8 miles north-east) and Sandown Castle (4.1 miles east). Open spaces near Buttsole include Monk's Wall nature reserve.
- Local schools include Sandwich Technology School (2 miles north-east)
- Pubs nearby include The Five Bells pub (less than half a mile north)
Catering for every guest
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because every paella has its own pan. A few tips:
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
A closer look at the menu
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil.
Buttsole questions
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Mary the Virgin?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is normally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Could we have live paella in Ham Fen?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, normally the council. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
How long do you need on site?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
What if the weather’s bad?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
Do you clear up afterwards?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, on request. Proper crockery or quality disposables are available.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in a separate pan.
Why choose tapas catering in Buttsole?
They’re the classic starter before paella.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Engagement parties
- Tapas starters
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Receptions and drinks parties
Historic buildings near Buttsole often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue.
Before booking anyone
- Who provides the crockery
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- VAT, if it applies
- 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