Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Hartley, Kent
Paella 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 Hartley.
- Launches and office parties
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Drinks reception canapés
Book tapas catering in Hartley
Catering for every guest
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because every paella has its own pan. A few tips:
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Waiting staff for canapés.
Tapas catering in Hartley, cooked live
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they arrive hot. Popular choices include croquetas, Serrano ham and albóndigas, and typical bookings are for table tapas as a starter and drinks parties and receptions.
Around Hartley, tapas suit garden parties and village-hall celebrations. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: the menu, the staff and any extras, with no surprises on the day.
Also in Hartley
Working with your venue
Events in public spaces, like parks, typically need permission. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
How the day works
The paella is cooked in huge, shallow pans over gas burners. We need a level, ventilated spot, which we agree with you beforehand. A summer drinks reception in Hartley has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:00pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:50pm, are better indoors.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
Getting ready for the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
How to get a price
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Why choose live paella in Hartley?
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. The cost per head usually falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What you get with us
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Events in Hartley and across Kent
Take a look at Our pricing Or The cost guide.
Tapas for events in Hartley
Hartley is about 4 miles south-west of Northfleet, in Kent. For tapas catering in Hartley, we plan around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. Hartley is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Hartley to London (about 19 miles away).
Parks such as Rectory Meadow have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. Historic houses near Hartley include Cobham College (3.9 miles east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 7 miles of Hartley, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Anywhere in DA3, we can bring tapas catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Local streets include Church Road, Dickens Close and Stack Lane; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Close by, we cover events in Longfield (1 mile north), New Barn (1 mile north-east), Longfield Hill (1 mile east), New Ash Green (1 mile south) and Nash Street (2 miles east). Further out, we also cater in Maidstone (13 miles south-east), Dartford (5 miles north-west), Sevenoaks (9 miles south-west), Gravesend (4 miles north-east), Tonbridge (13 miles south) and Northfleet (4 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Darent Valley Hospital (4 miles north-west) and Stone Castle (4.1 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Sawyers Lake.
- Local schools include Longfield Academy (0.7 miles north)
- Pubs nearby include Railway Tavern (0.9 miles north)
Occasions we cook for in Hartley
Tapas are sociable food, because everyone shares.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In Hartley, people book us for events such as:
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Engagement celebrations
- Sharing tapas starters
- Birthday drinks
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of Saint Mary.
Before you book anyone
- Space, access and power needs
- A clear list of what’s included
- How long the team stays
- How bad weather is handled
Common questions in Hartley
Is Hartley close to London?
Roughly 19 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Can you cook in Rectory Meadow?
Only if the landowner, usually the council, allows it. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Yes, tapas work on their own, for receptions, parties and evening food.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
What areas do you cover?
We cover London and the South East, including Kent. Find your area.
How long do you need on site?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, and it’s a popular combination. Tapas first, paella to follow.
Can you bring crockery?
We can. Tell us what your venue provides and we’ll include the rest in the quote.
Before you choose a spot
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Unloading access
- Venue approval for outside catering
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before booking.
On the menu in Hartley
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
Can I cook paella for a crowd 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. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Dishes our guests love
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil with a little chilli.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
- 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