Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Groombridge, Kent
Looking for tapas catering in Groombridge? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Engagement celebrations
- Evening sharing boards
Tapas catering in Groombridge
Is live paella right for your event?
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Why choose Love Paella in Groombridge
- Fast service from the pan
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Catering across Kent, including Groombridge
Tapas catering in Groombridge, cooked live
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, served while the paella cooks, but they’re great on their own. We are frequently asked to cater receptions and drinks parties and engagement parties, with Manchego with membrillo, tortilla española and patatas bravas.
In a rural spot like Groombridge, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We serve straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
Nearby places to Groombridge
What else we do in Groombridge
Should I cook it myself?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
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 enjoy the party, let us cook.
Receptions and parties in Groombridge
Groombridge is about 4 miles south-west of Royal Tunbridge Wells, in Kent. From the centre of Groombridge to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cater in 922 places in Kent. Our events stretch from Groombridge to Brighton (about 24 miles away).
If you are looking at a historic venue around Groombridge, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Thomas the Apostle. Groombridge is within about 7 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cater events across TN3. Streets in the area include Station Road, Meadow Road and Orchard Rise, and we can cook for an event on any of them. For events just outside Groombridge, we cover Birchden (1 mile south-east), Stone Cross (1 mile north), Ashurst (2 miles north-west), Balls Green (2 miles west) and Fordcombe (2 miles north). Further out, we also cater in Sevenoaks (12 miles north), Royal Tunbridge Wells (4 miles north-east), Tonbridge (7 miles north-east), Kings Hill (15 miles north-east), Paddock Wood (10 miles north-east) and Southborough (4 miles north-east).
A little further out are Tunbridge Wells Homeopathic Hospital (3.5 miles east) and The Corn Exchange (3.3 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Broadwater Warren RSPB Reserve.
The menu, dish by dish
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Common questions in Groombridge
What’s the nearest station to Groombridge for guests?
Eridge station, about 1.8 miles south-east of the centre.
Is Groombridge too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Lots. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
What about pudding?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Let us know if you’d like one in your enquiry.
Can you do sangria?
We can add sangria and bar staff.
Do you clear up afterwards?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Do you cover Groombridge?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, and Groombridge is within our area and the rest of Kent. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Yes. Tapas can be booked without paella.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
What tapas catering costs
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- The length of service
- Parking and unloading
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Details that help
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The date and rough timings
- Any dietary needs and allergies
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, use our quote form.
Events we cater in Groombridge
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Sharing tapas starters
- Tapas before paella
- Work receptions
Nearby historic houses include Groombridge Place (under half a mile north-east) and Bassetts Manor (3.9 miles west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
Before booking anyone
- How each diet is kept separate
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- How long the team stays
- Whether VAT is included
Before you choose a spot
Every venue is different, so we ask about the space when you get in touch. Generally, we look for:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Space on each table
- Space for a serving table or station
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in Groombridge
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
How the day works
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, which we agree with you beforehand. Sunset in Groombridge is around 9:20pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Preparing for the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Leave space around the cooking area
Getting a price
To get a price, use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll put together a menu and price.
Read more
- 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