Kent · England
Tapas Catering in Greatness
Something for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Greatness.
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Engagement parties
- Tapas before paella
Tapas catering in Greatness
Tapas catering in Greatness, made fresh on the day
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; for seated meals, table tapas. Lots of events do both. Whether it is engagement celebrations and office parties and launches, we can cook albóndigas, tortilla española and gambas al ajillo and more.
Around Greatness, tapas suit garden parties and village-hall celebrations. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
Drinks receptions around Greatness
Greatness is about 1 mile north-east of Sevenoaks, in Kent. From the centre of Greatness to the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cater in 922 places across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is London, about 19 miles away.
A picnic in Montreal Park? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering. If you are looking at a historic venue around Greatness, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 4 miles of Greatness, ideal for an outdoor reception.
For tapas catering in TN13, TN14 and TN15, we plan around your venue and timings. From Seal Road, Mill Lane and Sandy Lane or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Nearby, we also cater events in Seal (1 mile east), Godden Green (2 miles south-east), Styants Bottom (3 miles east), Bitchet Green (3 miles south-east) and Stone Street (3 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (14 miles east), Dartford (11 miles north), Royal Tunbridge Wells (11 miles south), Gravesend (12 miles north-east), Tonbridge (7 miles south-east) and Northfleet (12 miles north-east).
A little further out are Sevenoaks Museum (1.3 miles south) and Kemsing Castle Bank (1.7 miles north-east). Open spaces near Greatness include Dryhill Nature Reserve.
- Schools near Greatness include Knole Academy (0.7 miles west) and Wildernesse School (0.9 miles east)
- Local pubs include The Old Bat and Ball pub (under half a mile south-west)
For planners, venues and organisers
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so guests are fed quickly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Space, weather and the venue
We’ll be honest if a space will not work, and suggest an alternative. The main points are:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Space for a serving table or station
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
Nearby places to Greatness
Other catering in Greatness
How we price tapas catering
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- How long we are needed on site
- How many courses
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Your choice of paellas
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Details that help
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- The date and time of the event
- Anything your venue supplies
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Diets and allergies you know about
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Should I cook it myself?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. 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 enjoy the party, let us cook.
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. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
The process
A typical event goes like this: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and it is served hot from the pan when you’re ready to eat. Sunset in Greatness is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
How to prepare
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
Get a quote
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Is live paella right for your event?
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Live paella pricing depends on the event. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
Why choose Love Paella in Greatness
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
Catering for every guest
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Add sangria or cava
- Check diets in advance
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
FAQs for Greatness
Can you cook in Montreal Park?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
Which station should guests use for Greatness?
Bat & Ball station, in Greatness itself.
Do you do desserts?
We can add a dessert. Let us know if you’d like one when you ask for a quote.
When do you arrive?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
How do you work out quantities?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
How do you work out quantities?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Give us the details and we’ll advise.
Do you cook inside?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Lots. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
Events we cater in Greatness
They’re the classic starter before paella.
These are some of the occasions we cater around Greatness:
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Tapas and paella menus
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Work receptions
For guests coming by train, Greatness has its own station, Bat & Ball station.
What to look for in a quote
- Payment terms and deposit
- If the price includes VAT
- How each diet is kept separate
- How long the team stays
- 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