Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Goodnestone, Kent
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Goodnestone.
- Tapas before paella
- Engagement celebrations
- Table tapas as a starter
Planning an event in Goodnestone?
What we need at the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- Space on each table
- Venue approval for outside catering
- An area to prepare hot tapas
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
Tapas catering in Goodnestone, cooked live
We can add sangria and bar staff, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. We cook Manchego with membrillo, albóndigas and tortilla española, and we’re regularly asked to cater canapés with welcome drinks and office parties and launches.
In a rural spot like Goodnestone, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, never made in advance and reheated.
Catering for every guest
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Receptions and parties in Goodnestone
Goodnestone is about 2 miles east of Preston, in Kent. We cater events at homes, gardens and venues in Goodnestone and nearby villages. We cover all 922 towns and villages in Kent. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 7 miles away.
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St Bartholomew's Church. Nearby historic houses include Belmont House and Gardens (5 miles south-west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. With the sea within about 5 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
We cater events across ME13. Your event could be at a home on Head Hill Road and Cherrywood. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Culmers (1 mile north-east), Graveney (1 mile north-east), Broom Street (1 mile north), Staplestreet (1 mile south-east) and Slutshole (1 mile south-east). Further out, we also cater in Ashford (12 miles south), Canterbury (7 miles east), Sittingbourne (9 miles west), Whitstable (5 miles north-east), Herne Bay (9 miles north-east) and Minster (9 miles north-west).
Nearby you will also find Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital (5.8 miles north-east). Not far away are Blean Woods RSPB Reserve.
- Schools near Goodnestone include Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School (1.7 miles west)
The process
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. We need a level, ventilated spot, which we agree with you beforehand. At midsummer, it is light in Goodnestone until about 9:15pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it is dark around 7:00pm, and in December by about 3:50pm.
- 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.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Before we arrive
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Leave space around the cooking area
Getting a price
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you are ready, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Who books tapas catering in Goodnestone?
They’re easy to eat with a drink in hand.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In Goodnestone, people book us for occasions like:
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Engagement parties
- Evening sharing boards
- Tapas with a paella main course
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Faversham station, about 1.9 miles west.
Comparing caterers
- Whether travel is included
- Staff numbers and hours
- Allergen information for each dish
- The deposit and payment dates
Nearby places to Goodnestone
Other catering in Goodnestone
About the dishes
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic.
Should I cook it myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Paella compared with other options
Standard canapés can feel samey. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so it helps to tell us about your venue. The full price is confirmed before booking.
Why us?
- We cover Goodnestone and the whole of Kent
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- No hidden extras in your quote
Read How we price And The cost guide.
How we price tapas catering
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, depending on:
- Your choice of paellas
- How long we are needed on site
- Parking and unloading
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
The cost per head typically falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
What to tell us
To speed things up, tell us:
- The venue or postcode
- A picture of where we’d cook
- The date and time of the event
- Anything your venue supplies
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Your questions about tapas catering in Goodnestone
Could we have live paella in Mount Ephraim Gardens?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
We’re having a ceremony at St Bartholomew's Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking generally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
What do you need at the venue?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities around your timings and courses. Tell us more for a suggestion.
Do you provide drinks?
Yes, sangria. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Children are welcome. Let us know numbers and ages, and we will plan a pan with them in mind.
Can you supply plates?
If you need them, yes. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables can be added to your booking.
- 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