Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Church Hougham, Kent
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Church Hougham and across Kent.
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Anniversary parties
- Engagement drinks
Tapas catering in Church Hougham
Organising for someone else?
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so guests are fed quickly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Tapas catering in Church Hougham, cooked live
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, served while the paella cooks, but they work on their own too. On the menu are padrón peppers, croquetas and Serrano ham, and we are regularly asked to cater canapés with welcome drinks and work receptions.
Near Church Hougham, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
Why choose Love Paella in Church Hougham
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Drinks service on request
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
Perfect for your event in Church Hougham
Big or small, tapas work.
In Church Hougham and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Popular bookings include:
- Drinks reception canapés
- Tapas starters
- Engagement parties
- Cocktail parties
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Lawrence, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
What to look for in a quote
- Payment terms and deposit
- Whether travel is included
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Whether VAT is included
FAQs for Church Hougham
Can you cook near the sea around Church Hougham?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
What’s the nearest station to Church Hougham for guests?
The closest is Dover Priory station, roughly 2.3 miles away.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can, if you tell us in advance. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
Do we need staff for canapés?
Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to serve.
Are the tapas fresh?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
Do you take everything away?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
How much is live paella catering?
We quote for each event, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
If you need them, yes. Proper crockery or quality disposables can be added to your booking.
Before you choose a spot
We’ll be honest if a space will not work. The main points are:
- Unloading access
- Space on each table
- Room for a tapas table
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before you book.
Menu ideas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite.
Towns and villages near Church Hougham
More for events in Church Hougham
Church Hougham: venues and local tips
Church Hougham is about 3 miles south-west of Dover, in Kent. From the centre of Church Hougham to the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cook in 922 places in Kent. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 14 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Dover Priory station is about 2.3 miles away. Parks such as Samphire Hoe Country Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. Church Hougham is within about 7 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception. With the sea within about 3 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
For tapas catering in CT15, we plan around your venue. Nearby, we also cater events in West Hougham (1 mile west), Farthingloe (1 mile east), Satmar (1 mile west), Maxton (2 miles east) and Aycliffe (2 miles east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Canterbury (14 miles north-west), Dover (3 miles north-east), Folkestone (4 miles south-west), Deal (9 miles north-east), Hythe (8 miles west) and Walmer (9 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Dover Castle (3.1 miles east) and Buckland Hospital (2.1 miles north-east). Open spaces near Church Hougham include Dover Western Heights and Sugar Loaf Hill.
Planning for every diet
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
Canapés go round with the drinks as guests arrive.
Waiting staff for canapés.
How the day works
The paella is cooked in giant, shallow pans over gas burners. We need a level, ventilated spot, which we agree with you beforehand. Evening receptions in Church Hougham stay light until about 8:45pm in late May and 9:15pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- 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.
Getting ready for the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
Get a quote
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can fill in our quote form.
Planning help
What tapas catering costs
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- How long we are needed on site
- The paellas you choose
- Parking and unloading
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
What to tell us
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- The address or venue name
- Expected numbers
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Send us the date, your venue or CT15 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and we will reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just use our quote form.
- 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