Kent · England
Tapas Catering in Castle Hill
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Castle Hill: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, in full view of your guests.
- Birthday drinks
- Tapas before paella
- Welcome-drink canapés
Tapas catering near Castle Hill
About our tapas catering in Castle Hill
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. For canapés with welcome drinks and anniversary parties, we will put together a menu of gambas al ajillo, padrón peppers and Serrano ham and more.
In a rural spot like Castle Hill, 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.
Space, weather and the venue
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We need:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Space for a serving table or station
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
Places near Castle Hill
Also in Castle Hill
Prices and what affects them
We will give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- Guest numbers
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- The paellas you choose
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
Details that help
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Expected numbers
- Which courses you have in mind
- Any dietary needs and allergies
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, send us your details through our quote form.
FAQs for Castle Hill
Is Castle Hill close to London?
Roughly 32 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Do you cater in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will work to whatever the site needs.
Do you come to Castle Hill?
Yes. We cover London and the South East, and Castle Hill is within our area and the rest of Kent. For a quote, use our quote form.
How much does tapas catering cost in Castle Hill?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we will send a quote.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Children are welcome. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we’ll plan for them.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
How much paella per person?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
Planners, venues and businesses
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Drinks receptions around Castle Hill
Castle Hill is about 7 miles east of Royal Tunbridge Wells, in Kent. Wherever your event is in the TN12 area, we can cook for your guests. We cook in all 922 towns and villages across Kent. Our events stretch from Castle Hill to Canterbury (30 miles away).
Guests travelling by rail: Paddock Wood station is about 2.2 miles away. Historic houses near Castle Hill include Scotney Castle (4.3 miles south). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. The High Weald National Landscape is within about 7 miles of Castle Hill, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
For tapas catering in TN12, we plan around your venue. Your event could be at a home on Crook Road and Pearson's Green Road. Other places close to Castle Hill for tapas catering include Palmer's Green (1 mile south-west), Pearson's Green (1 mile north-east), Mile Oak (1 mile north-west), Horsmonden (1 mile south-east) and Hazel Street (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (9 miles north-east), Sevenoaks (13 miles north-west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (7 miles west), Tonbridge (7 miles north-west), Kings Hill (8 miles north) and Foley Park (10 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include The Hop Farm Museum (3 miles north) and Tunbridge Wells Hospital (4.7 miles west). Open spaces near Castle Hill include Tudeley Woods RSPB reserve.
- Schools near Castle Hill include Mascalls School (1.6 miles north-west)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Castle Inn (less than half a mile north-east)
How the day works
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. A summer drinks reception in Castle Hill has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:00pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
Ask for a quote
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll suggest a menu. Start when you’re ready: fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Is live paella right for your event?
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, so they fit most plans. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What you get with us
- Drinks service on request
- Catering across Kent, including Castle Hill
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Live cooking, not reheated food
DIY paella versus live catering
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
The menu, dish by dish
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Planning for every diet
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
Canapés go round with the drinks as guests arrive.
Serving boards and crockery.
- 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