Kent · England
Tapas Catering for Dover events
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Dover and the surrounding area.
- Cocktail parties
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Engagement celebrations
Tapas catering near Dover
About our tapas catering in Dover
The best spreads mix hot and cold: cold cheese and ham with hot bravas, croquetas and garlic prawns. We are frequently asked to cater engagement parties and drinks parties and receptions, with Serrano ham, patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo.
In a town like Dover, tapas suit garden parties, hall parties and receptions. Hot tapas need a spot to finish them. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
Who books tapas catering in Dover?
Tapas are sociable food.
These are some of the occasions we cater around Dover:
- Work receptions
- Engagement drinks
- Birthday drinks
- Sharing boards for evening guests
A picnic in Connaught Park? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is frequently easier for catering.
What your quote should include
- Staff numbers and hours
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- How late numbers can change
- If the price includes VAT
How we price tapas catering
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, depending on:
- How many courses
- Your choice of paellas
- Waiting and bar staff
- Parking and unloading
Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Getting an accurate quote
These details help us quote quickly:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- A picture of where we’d cook
- The address or venue name
- Your date and when you want to eat
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will make suggestions. To start, use our quote form.
DIY paella versus live catering
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. 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 be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Catering for every guest
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Book staff to carry canapés round
Table tapas are set down to share.
Waiting staff for canapés.
Places near Dover
Other catering in Dover
Organising for someone else?
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Receptions and parties in Dover
Dover is in Kent. For tapas catering in Dover, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices in and around Dover. Dover is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. Our events stretch from Dover to Canterbury (14 miles away).
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Dover, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Dover Priory station, about 0.9 miles south. The coast is within about 2 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
We cook at events all over CT17, CT16, CT15 and CT14 and the streets around it. From London Road, High Street and Church Road or a nearby road, we can cook there. Main roads around Dover include the A2 and A20, so getting the burners and pans to your event is simple. Other places close to Dover for tapas catering include River (1 mile north-west), Maxton (1 mile south), Kearsney (1 mile north-west), Whitfield (1 mile north) and Temple Ewell (2 miles north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Canterbury (14 miles north-west), Folkestone (7 miles south-west), Ramsgate (15 miles north), Deal (7 miles north-east), Hythe (11 miles south-west) and Walmer (6 miles north-east). Being one of Kent’s larger places, Dover has lots of places to hold an event.
Other landmarks nearby include Dover Castle (1.3 miles south-east) and Crabble Corn Mill (0.7 miles west). Open spaces near Dover include Dover Western Heights.
- Schools near Dover include St Edmund's Catholic School (under half a mile south-east) and St Edmund's Catholic School (under half a mile south-east)
- Nearby, you will find The Bull pub (under half a mile south-west)
Dover questions
How far is Dover from London?
About 65 miles from central London.
What’s the nearest station to Dover for guests?
The closest is Dover Priory station, roughly 0.9 miles away.
What about pudding?
We can add a dessert. Tell us what you have in mind when you ask for a quote.
How long does the paella take?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Can you serve drinks?
Yes, sangria. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Sangria and bar staff can be added.
Do you do starters?
Yes. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, served while the paella cooks.
What if the weather’s bad?
We cook under cover, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
The process
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Your guests are welcome to watch while it cooks. At midsummer, it’s light in Dover 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.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We pack down when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Give us a contact for the day
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
How to get a price
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Before you choose a spot
Every venue is different, so we will ask about yours before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Permission from the venue
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
What we offer
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, so they fit most plans. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Why book with us
- Drinks service on request
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
Take a look at Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
- 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