Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Hartley, Kent
Looking for tapas catering in Hartley? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Birthday drinks
- Tapas before paella
- Work receptions
Tapas catering in Hartley
Tapas catering in Hartley, cooked live
Tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties, office events and weddings. Typical bookings include engagement parties and anniversary parties, with Serrano ham, albóndigas and Manchego with membrillo.
In a rural spot like Hartley, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, each in a separate pan and clearly labelled.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Events we cater in Hartley
They’re easy to eat with a drink in hand.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas starters
- Tapas before paella
Historic houses near Hartley include Scotney Castle (4.4 miles west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Before you book anyone
- The wet-weather plan
- Staff numbers and hours
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- The venue requirements
Receptions and parties in Hartley
Hartley is about 8 miles south-east of Paddock Wood, in Kent. We cater events at gardens, halls and venues around Hartley and the surrounding area. We cater in all 922 towns and villages in Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 28 miles away.
A picnic in Crane Valley? 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 Hartley, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Hartley is within about 2 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
For tapas catering in TN17, we plan around your venue. Local streets include Hartley Road, Campion Crescent and Hartley Court Gardens; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Swattenden (1 mile east), Cranbrook (1 mile north-east), Baker's Cross (2 miles north-east), Gill's Green (2 miles south) and Beal's Green (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (13 miles north), Royal Tunbridge Wells (11 miles west), Tonbridge (13 miles north-west), Kings Hill (14 miles north), Foley Park (14 miles north) and Paddock Wood (8 miles north-west).
Well-known places in the area include Benenden Hospital (4.7 miles east) and Sissinghurst Castle (3.8 miles north-east).
Nearby places to Hartley
More for events in Hartley
Where we can cook in Hartley
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Venue approval for outside catering
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Menu ideas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
Step by step
Here’s how the day generally runs: we arrive, set up and start cooking, your guests watch the rice cook, and we serve straight from the pan at the agreed time. Evening receptions in Hartley stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:15pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Give us a contact for the day
Ask for a quote
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, use our quote form.
Planning help
For planners, venues and organisers
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so guests are fed quickly. Tell us how long you have for food.
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Most events have a mix of diets. To cater well for them:
- Check diets in advance
- Label seafood clearly
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Bar staff and sangria.
Live paella or other catering?
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Why choose Love Paella in Hartley
- A quote that spells everything out
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
Questions from Hartley
Can you cook in Crane Valley?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, typically the council. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
Do you cater in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll follow the site rules.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Lots. Tortilla, bravas and Manchego are popular vegetarian choices.
How much does tapas catering cost in Hartley?
We quote for each event, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers and we will reply with a price.
Do you come to Hartley?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, and Hartley is within our area. To check your date, fill in our quote form.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
Are the tapas served hot?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away; cold tapas are laid out as guests arrive.
- 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