Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Claygate, Kent
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Claygate: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Work receptions
Planning an event in Claygate?
Claygate: venues and local tips
Claygate is about 7 miles south-west of Maidstone, in Kent. From the centre of Claygate to the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Claygate is one of 922 places in Kent we cover. Our events stretch from Claygate to Canterbury (28 miles away).
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Claygate, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Margaret, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Claygate is within about 7 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
For tapas catering in TN12, we plan around your venue and timings. From Sheephurst Lane, Maidstone Road and Spenny Lane or a nearby road, we will bring the pans to you. Nearby, we also cater events in Pearson's Green (1 mile south-west), Marden Beech (2 miles south-east), Marden (2 miles east), Queen Street (2 miles north-west) and Castle Hill (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (7 miles north-east), Sevenoaks (14 miles north-west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (8 miles west), Tonbridge (8 miles west), Kings Hill (7 miles north) and Foley Park (8 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include South East Romany Museum (2.7 miles east).
- Pubs nearby include The White Hart pub (less than half a mile west)
Tapas catering for your event in Claygate
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. We’re frequently asked to cater cocktail parties and canapés with welcome drinks, serving padrón peppers, albóndigas and Serrano ham.
Near Claygate, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, not reheated.
Towns and villages near Claygate
What else we do in Claygate
Occasions we cook for in Claygate
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In Claygate, people book us for events such as:
- Table tapas as a starter
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Launches and office parties
Guests travelling by rail: Marden station is about 1.8 miles away.
What your quote should include
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- If the price includes VAT
- How long the team stays
How it works
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Guests usually gather round to watch while it cooks. A summer drinks reception in Claygate has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:00pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
How to prepare
- Give us a contact for the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
How to get a price
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, use our quote form.
Related guides
Planning for every diet
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Waiting staff for canapés.
What affects the price in Claygate
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Travel, parking and access
- The length of service
- Waiting and bar staff
- The number of people
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What we need to know
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but these help:
- The venue or postcode
- The courses you’d like
- A picture of the space, if you can
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Tell us about your event in Claygate, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Paella compared with other options
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel special. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before you book.
Why choose Love Paella in Claygate
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Catering across Kent, including Claygate
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
Take a look at Our prices page And What paella catering costs.
Working with your venue
Events in public spaces, like parks, typically need permission. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Claygate? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
Your questions about tapas catering in Claygate
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.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Margaret?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Do you do desserts?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Let us know if you’d like one in your enquiry.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Who clears up?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
How far ahead should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Popular dates book up first, so it pays to ask early.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we take the right care.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it is in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Planning the cooking area
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- A spot for our serving station
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- 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