Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Cranbrook, Kent
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Cranbrook. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Engagement drinks
Planning an event in Cranbrook?
Tapas catering for your event in Cranbrook
We can add sangria and bar staff, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. For tapas before paella and drinks parties and receptions, we can cook croquetas, patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo for your guests.
Tapas make a party in Cranbrook easy and sociable. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
Drinks receptions around Cranbrook
Cranbrook is about 12 miles south of Maidstone, in Kent. We bring tapas catering to homes, gardens and venues in Cranbrook and nearby villages. We cook in all 922 towns and villages across Kent. We cook right across the region, from Cranbrook to Canterbury (about 27 miles away).
A picnic in Crane Valley? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering. Historic buildings near Cranbrook frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. The High Weald National Landscape is within about a mile of Cranbrook, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Wherever your event is in TN17 and TN18, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Streets in the area include High Street, Crane Lane and White Lion Yard, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Baker's Cross (1 mile east), Coursehorn (1 mile east), Swattenden (1 mile south), Hartley (1 mile south-west) and Gill's Green (3 miles south-west). Further out, we also cater in Maidstone (12 miles north), Ashford (15 miles east), Royal Tunbridge Wells (12 miles west), Tonbridge (13 miles north-west), Kings Hill (13 miles north-west) and Foley Park (13 miles north).
Nearby you’ll also find Sissinghurst Castle (2.5 miles north-east) and Benenden Hospital (3.6 miles east).
- Local schools include Cranbrook Church of England Primary School (less than half a mile north)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Crown Public House (under half a mile north-west)
A closer look at the menu
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, often with alioli.
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
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.
Events we cater in Cranbrook
Big or small, tapas work.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in Cranbrook book us for events such as:
- Cocktail parties
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Work receptions
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Congregational Church.
Comparing caterers
- How bad weather is handled
- The deposit and payment dates
- How late numbers can change
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
Dietary needs and planning tips
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To get it right:
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Sangria and bar staff.
Towns and villages near Cranbrook
More for events in Cranbrook
For event organisers in Cranbrook
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, whether you are a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we’re happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
Hosting a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
What we need at the venue
Every venue is different, so we’ll ask about yours when you contact us. In general, we need:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Permission from the venue
- Room for a tapas table
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
What we offer
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
Prices and what affects them
The price comes down to a few factors:
- The number of people
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Parking and unloading
- The paellas you choose
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. The full price is confirmed before you book.
What we need to know
When you get in touch, it helps to tell us:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Which courses you have in mind
- Your date and when you want to eat
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Common questions in Cranbrook
Could we have live paella in Crane Valley?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, typically the council. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
We are having a ceremony at Congregational Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Are the tapas served hot?
Hot tapas are finished on site.
Do you supply canapé staff?
Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to carry them round.
How long do you need on site?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
How much does tapas catering cost in Cranbrook?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas and we will reply with a price.
How many different paellas?
Two or three covers most guests. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
What happens on the day
A typical event goes like this: we arrive, set up and start cooking, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and we serve straight from the pan when you’re ready to eat. Sunset in Cranbrook is around 9:15pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Before we arrive
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
How to get a price
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: give us the basics about your event, and we will suggest a menu. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
- 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