Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Chilham, Kent
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Chilham and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Tapas starters
- Cocktail parties
- Tapas with a paella main course
Tapas catering in Chilham
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. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
How our tapas catering works in Chilham
Sangria and bar staff can be added, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. Typical bookings include tapas before paella and sharing tapas starters, serving albóndigas, Manchego with membrillo and tortilla española.
Near Chilham, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it’s hot and generous, and a queue moves quickly.
Occasions we cook for in Chilham
They cover lots of tastes and diets in one spread.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Engagement parties
- Tapas starters
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Cocktail parties
For guests coming by train, Chilham has its own station, Chilham station.
What to look for in a quote
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- The venue requirements
- The wet-weather plan
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
Why choose live paella in Chilham?
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Why Chilham hosts choose us
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Catering across Kent, including Chilham
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
See Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
Before you choose a spot
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Room for a tapas table
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
What we offer
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
Dietary needs and planning tips
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Ask for labels on each dish
Canapés go round with the drinks.
Staff to serve canapés.
What’s in the pans
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat, frequently with ham or mushroom.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Your questions about tapas catering in Chilham
We’re having a ceremony at Church of St Mary: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
What’s the nearest station to Chilham for guests?
Chilham station, in Chilham itself.
Is the paella gluten-free?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
How many different paellas?
Two or three is usual: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We’ll help you decide the split.
How much is live paella catering?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers and we’ll reply with a price.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Let us know if you’d like one in your enquiry.
Is halal food available?
Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in a separate pan.
What affects the price in Chilham
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- Timings and hours
- Your choice of paellas
- How many staff you need
- Distance and access to the venue
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before booking.
Details that help
To check availability and price, we need:
- A picture of the space, if you can
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Where the event is
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, along with any dietary needs, and we’ll reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. To get started, use our quote form.
Step by step
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Guests generally gather round to watch while it cooks. At midsummer, it’s light in Chilham until about 9:15pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:00pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:50pm, are better indoors.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
How to get a price
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We will come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Planning help
Chilham: venues and local tips
Chilham is about 5 miles south-west of Canterbury, in Kent. Events in Chilham are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. Chilham is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent we cover.
Parks such as Broadham Down have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Mary, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 5 miles of Chilham, ideal for an outdoor reception.
We cover events in every part of the CT4 postcode area. We can cater an event on streets such as The Street, The Square and Bagham Road. Other places close to Chilham for tapas catering include Mountain Street (1 mile south-west), Old Wives Lees (1 mile north), Godmersham (2 miles south), Shottenden (2 miles west) and Perrywood (2 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Ashford (8 miles south-west), Canterbury (5 miles north-east), Sittingbourne (12 miles north-west), Folkestone (14 miles south-east), Whitstable (8 miles north) and Faversham (6 miles north-west).
A little further out are Kent and Canterbury Hospital (5.3 miles east) and Chilham Castle (within half a mile west). Open spaces near Chilham include Blean Woods RSPB Reserve.
- Local pubs include Woolpack Inn (within half a mile west)
Other catering in Chilham
- 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