Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Cross-at-Hand, Kent
Something for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Cross-at-Hand.
- Engagement parties
- Launches and office parties
- Tapas starters
Tapas catering in Cross-at-Hand
How our tapas catering works in Cross-at-Hand
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. We cook Serrano ham, gambas al ajillo and patatas bravas, and we are regularly asked to cater welcome-drink canapés and receptions and drinks parties.
Near Cross-at-Hand, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
Dietary needs and planning tips
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Include staff for canapés
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
Table tapas are set down to share.
Waiting staff for canapés.
About the dishes
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, often with alioli.
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite when made carefully.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Places near Cross-at-Hand
More for events in Cross-at-Hand
Is live paella right for your event?
Tapas are flexible, so they fit most plans. Live paella pricing depends on the event. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
What you get with us
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Catering across Kent, including Cross-at-Hand
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
Read Our pricing Or What paella catering costs.
Receptions and parties in Cross-at-Hand
Cross-at-Hand is about 5 miles south of Maidstone, in Kent. We cook at events in gardens, halls and venues around Cross-at-Hand and the surrounding area. We cover 922 places across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 24 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Stoneacre (4.6 miles north). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. If you’re looking at a historic venue around Cross-at-Hand, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Cross-at-Hand is within about 7 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
This part of Kent takes in TN12, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. Streets in the area include Staplehurst Road and Woodford Park, and we can cook for an event on any of them. For events just outside Cross-at-Hand, we cover Rabbit's Cross (1 mile north), Devil's Den (1 mile east), Wanshurst Green (1 mile south-west), St Ann's Green (1 mile west) and Underling Green (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (5 miles north), Ashford (14 miles east), Sittingbourne (13 miles north-east), Royal Tunbridge Wells (13 miles west), Tonbridge (12 miles west) and Kings Hill (8 miles north-west).
Nearby you will also find Sutton Valence Castle (2.8 miles north-east) and South East Romany Museum (1.8 miles south-west).
Planning the cooking area
No two venues are the same, so we will ask about yours when you contact us. In general, we need:
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Unloading access
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
Cross-at-Hand questions
Can you cook at venues in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will work to whatever the site needs.
How far is Cross-at-Hand from London?
About 35 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
How long do you need on site?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Are the tapas served hot?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue so they’re served at their best.
Can you cater for children?
Yes. A simple chicken paella is typically popular with children. Include children in your numbers.
How many different paellas?
Two or three covers most guests. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
What does tapas catering cost?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
What space do you need to cook?
Not a lot: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a photo.
Who books tapas catering in Cross-at-Hand?
They cover lots of tastes and diets in one spread.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Sharing tapas starters
- Tapas and paella menus
- Sharing boards for evening guests
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Staplehurst station, about 1.2 miles south.
Questions to ask before you book
- The venue requirements
- The deadline for final numbers
- A clear list of what’s included
- What happens if it rains
Step by step
Here’s how the day generally runs: we arrive, set up and start cooking, your guests watch the rice cook, and we serve straight from the pan when you’re ready to eat. At midsummer, it’s light in Cross-at-Hand until about 9:15pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:00pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:50pm, are better indoors.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Preparing for the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Get a quote
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, use our quote form.
Planning help
What affects the price in Cross-at-Hand
Your quote will be clear and itemised. The main things that affect it are:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- The length of service
- How many staff you need
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.
Getting an accurate quote
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- The courses you’d like
- Roughly how many adults and children
- The venue or postcode
- The date and rough timings
The quickest way to a quote is to fill in our quote form. Tell us about your event in Cross-at-Hand, and we’ll put together a menu and price.
- 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