Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Etchinghill, Kent
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in Etchinghill. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Launches and office parties
- Birthday drinks
- Tapas and paella menus
Tapas catering for Etchinghill events
Live paella or other catering?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel special. The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Why us?
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
Take a look at Our pricing Or What paella catering costs.
How our tapas catering works in Etchinghill
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they arrive hot. We’re frequently asked to cater receptions and drinks parties and tapas with a paella main course, serving Serrano ham, gambas al ajillo and patatas bravas.
For a country party near Etchinghill, tapas and sangria set the mood. We plan the timings around your day, so the paella is ready when you want to eat.
What else we do in Etchinghill
Planning the cooking area
No two venues are the same, so we will ask about yours before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Space for a serving table or station
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Popular choices
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
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.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Drinks receptions around Etchinghill
Etchinghill is about 3 miles north of Hythe, in Kent. Events in Etchinghill are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. Etchinghill is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Etchinghill to Canterbury (12 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Acrise Place (2.4 miles north-east) and Westenhanger Castle (3 miles south-west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Sandling station, about 2 miles south-west. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 4 miles of Etchinghill, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors. The coast is within about 4 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Wherever your event is in CT18, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Local streets include St Marys Close, Meriden Walk and St Marys Drive; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Lyminge (1 mile north), Postling (1 mile west), Woodland (2 miles north-west), Skeete (2 miles north-west) and Ottinge (2 miles north). We also cook in nearby towns such as Ashford (10 miles west), Canterbury (12 miles north), Dover (9 miles east), Folkestone (4 miles south-east), Deal (15 miles north-east) and Hythe (3 miles south).
Well-known places in the area include Royal Victoria Hospital (3.8 miles south-east) and Elham Valley Countryside Centre And Railway Museum (1.4 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Tolsford Hill.
- Schools near Etchinghill include Brockhill Park Performing Arts College (2.4 miles south-west)
How it works
On the day, we set up our cooking area, light the burners and start the sofrito. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so the timing is planned around your event. A summer drinks reception in Etchinghill has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:00pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:50pm, are better indoors.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Getting ready for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Tell us where to park and unload
Getting a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. When you’re ready, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
For event organisers in Etchinghill
Events in public spaces, like parks, generally need permission. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
A closer look at the menu
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside.
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Your questions about tapas catering in Etchinghill
How far is Etchinghill from London?
Roughly 58 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
What’s the nearest station to Etchinghill for guests?
The closest is Sandling station, roughly 2 miles away.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in a separate pan.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Sangria, yes, plus bar staff for your own drinks.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, where your guests can watch.
Do you cover Etchinghill?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Etchinghill and across Kent. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
Diets, allergies and planning
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Here’s how:
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Check diets in advance
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
Canapés circulate with drinks as guests arrive.
Serving boards and crockery.
What tapas catering costs
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- How long we are needed on site
- Waiting and bar staff
- How many guests are eating
- Starters, canapés and desserts
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
What to tell us
To speed things up, tell us:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The date and time of the event
- The courses you’d like
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Etchinghill? Send us the details and we will come back with ideas and a quote. To contact us, fill in 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