Kent · England
Tapas Catering in Finglesham
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Finglesham and Kent, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Tapas and paella menus
- Sharing tapas starters
- Engagement celebrations
Book tapas catering in Finglesham
About our tapas catering in Finglesham
For standing receptions, canapés work best; table tapas suit seated meals. Many events have both. We’re frequently asked to cater tapas with a paella main course and evening sharing boards, with croquetas, gambas al ajillo and Manchego with membrillo.
Near Finglesham, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, never made in advance and reheated, and served as soon as it is ready.
The process
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 are ready to eat. A summer drinks reception in Finglesham has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:00pm, and in December by about 3:50pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Give us a contact for the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
Ask for a quote
It’s easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Related guides
Planning the cooking area
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- A spot for our serving station
- Space on each table
- Parking near the venue
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think.
On the menu in Finglesham
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
Your questions about tapas catering in Finglesham
We’re having a ceremony at Church of St George: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you cook near the sea around Finglesham?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes, always. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, where your guests can watch.
Is halal food available?
Yes, we do. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in a separate pan.
Do you cook inside?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, because we use gas burners. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
How much does tapas catering cost in Finglesham?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers and we will reply with a price.
What space do you need to cook?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
How long do you need on site?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Places near Finglesham
What else we do in Finglesham
DIY paella versus live catering
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.
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. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Paella compared with other options
For food that gets people mingling, tapas work brilliantly. 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.
What you get with us
- Events in Finglesham and across Kent
- A quote that spells everything out
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
Take a look at Our prices page And The cost guide.
Organising for someone else?
Throwing a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we will tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, whether you’re a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we’ll work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
What affects the price in Finglesham
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Guest numbers
- Travel, parking and access
- Timings and hours
- Your choice of paellas
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. Everything is confirmed in writing.
What to tell us
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Your date and when you want to eat
- The venue or postcode
- What the venue already provides
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can send us your details through our quote form.
Receptions and parties in Finglesham
Finglesham is about 2 miles north-west of Deal, in Kent. We cater events at homes, gardens and venues in Finglesham and the surrounding area. Finglesham is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Finglesham to Canterbury (about 12 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Sandwich station, about 2.4 miles north. Historic buildings near Finglesham frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. With the sea within about 3 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
We cover events in every part of CT14 and the streets around it. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Marley (1 mile south-west), Hacklinge (1 mile north-east), Ham (1 mile north-west), Northbourne (1 mile south) and Sholden Meadows (1 mile south-east). Larger places within reach include Canterbury (12 miles west), Margate (10 miles north), Dover (7 miles south), Folkestone (13 miles south-west), Ramsgate (8 miles north) and Broadstairs (9 miles north).
Well-known places in the area include Deal Museum (2.5 miles east) and Sandown Castle (2.4 miles east). Not far away are Monk's Wall nature reserve.
- Nearby schools include Sandwich Technology School (2 miles north)
- Local pubs include The Crown Inn (within half a mile south-east)
Planning for every diet
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
Afterwards, we clear away.
Bar staff and sangria.
About the dishes
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce, often with alioli.
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
- 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