Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Grove, Kent
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella turns food into part of your event in Grove.
- Tapas and paella menus
- Engagement drinks
- Anniversary parties
Planning an event in Grove?
About our tapas catering in Grove
A good spread mixes hot and cold: cold cheese and ham with hot bravas, croquetas and garlic prawns. On the menu are croquetas, gambas al ajillo and Serrano ham, and typical bookings are for tapas before paella and engagement drinks.
Near Grove, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. You will know exactly what’s included before you book: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
Live paella or other catering?
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why Grove hosts choose us
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Events in Grove and across Kent
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Served hot, straight from the pan
See How we price And Our guide to catering costs.
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside.
More for events in Grove
What tapas catering costs
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- The length of service
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- The paellas you choose
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is often good value, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We will send you a quote.
What we need to know
When you contact us, it helps to tell us:
- Expected numbers
- Which courses you have in mind
- Where the event is
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
The quickest way to a quote is to fill in our quote form. Tell us about your event in Grove, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Common questions in Grove
What about events near the coast?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Is Grove close to London?
Roughly 58 miles from the centre of London.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and meat eaters often go back for seconds. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three covers most guests. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Absolutely.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
What if the weather’s bad?
Rain doesn’t stop us, as long as there’s a ventilated cover. We’ll talk it through before the day.
Do you take everything away?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
Grove: venues and local tips
Grove is about 5 miles south-east of Herne Bay, in Kent. We cater events at gardens, halls and venues around Grove and nearby villages. Grove is one of 922 places in Kent we cover. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 6 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Goodnestone Park (4.7 miles south). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. A picnic in Grove Ferry Picnic Area? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is frequently easier for catering. With the sea within about 6 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Tapas catering in CT3 is planned around your venue. If your venue is just outside Grove, we also cover Preston (1 mile south-east), Upstreet (1 mile north), West Stourmouth (1 mile north-east), East Stourmouth (2 miles east) and Sarre (2 miles north-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Canterbury (6 miles west), Margate (9 miles north-east), Dover (13 miles south), Ramsgate (9 miles east), Broadstairs (10 miles east) and Whitstable (8 miles west).
Nearby you’ll also find St Martins Hospital (4.9 miles south-west).
- Nearby, you’ll find The Grove Ferry Inn (0.9 miles north)
Diets, allergies and planning
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Label seafood clearly
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away.
Staff to serve canapés.
Where we can cook in Grove
No two venues are the same, so we will ask about yours when you get in touch. In general, we need:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Space for a serving table or station
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
Events we cater in Grove
One spread covers many tastes and diets.
Big or small, live paella works well. Common bookings include:
- Anniversary parties
- Cocktail parties
- Tapas and paella menus
- Office parties and launches
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Sturry station, about 3.8 miles west.
Before booking anyone
- If the price includes VAT
- Allergen information for each dish
- What happens if it rains
- Who provides the crockery
Step by step
The paella is cooked in giant, shallow pans over gas burners. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, which we agree with you beforehand. At midsummer, it is light in Grove until about 9:15pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:00pm, and in December by about 3:50pm.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Have a level space ready for the pans
Get a quote
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
Planners, venues and businesses
If you are organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we’ll work directly with you and the venue. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
- 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