Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Chainhurst, Kent
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Chainhurst and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Sharing tapas starters
- Work receptions
Tapas catering in Chainhurst
Drinks receptions around Chainhurst
Chainhurst is about 5 miles south-west of Maidstone, in Kent. Wherever your event is in the TN12 area, we’ll come to your venue or garden. We cook in 922 places in Kent. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 27 miles away.
Historic buildings near Chainhurst often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. Chainhurst is within about 8 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cover events in every part of the TN12 postcode area and the streets around it. We can cater an event on streets such as Raynham Villas and Hunton Road. Other places close to Chainhurst for tapas catering include Hunton (1 mile north-west), Benover (2 miles north-west), Congelow (2 miles north-west), Coxheath (2 miles north) and Yalding (2 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (5 miles north-east), Sittingbourne (15 miles north-east), Sevenoaks (14 miles north-west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (10 miles south-west), Tonbridge (9 miles west) and Kings Hill (6 miles north-west).
Nearby you’ll also find South East Romany Museum (2.6 miles south-east) and Oakwood Hospital (4.6 miles north).
How our tapas catering works in Chainhurst
We finish hot tapas on site, so they’re served at their best. Typical bookings include tapas starters and anniversary parties, serving padrón peppers, tortilla española and patatas bravas.
Near Chainhurst, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
For planners, venues and organisers
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
Hosting a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Catering for every guest
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Serving boards and crockery.
Chainhurst: your questions answered
Is Chainhurst too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
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’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Do you do starters?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas first, paella to follow.
What space do you need to cook?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
When do you arrive?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
Do you supply canapé staff?
Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to carry them round.
Who clears up?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Yes, tapas work on their own, for receptions, parties and evening food.
What happens on the day
Service is quick: we serve straight from the pan, so large groups are fed quickly. When service is finished, we pack down. Sunset in Chainhurst is around 9:15pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- 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 circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Preparing for the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
Get a quote
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Tell us about your event in Chainhurst, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Planning help
More for events in Chainhurst
Planning the cooking area
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We look for:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Space for a serving table or station
- An area to prepare hot tapas
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
On the menu in Chainhurst
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
What tapas catering costs
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- Timings and hours
- The paellas you choose
- Waiting and bar staff
- How many courses
Larger events generally cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What to tell us
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Expected numbers
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- A picture of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will come back with a clear quote.
Who books tapas catering in Chainhurst?
Big or small, tapas work.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in Chainhurst and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Tapas before paella
- Evening grazing
- Birthday drinks
- Engagement celebrations
For guests coming by train, Marden station is about 2 miles away.
Before booking anyone
- Who provides the crockery
- Space, access and power needs
- When payment is due
- Any travel, parking or access charges
The menu, dish by dish
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
- 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