Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Hartlip, Kent
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Hartlip and the surrounding area.
- Tapas before paella
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Work receptions
Book tapas catering in Hartlip
Tapas catering for your event in Hartlip
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; table tapas suit seated meals. Lots of events do both. We’re often asked to cater cocktail parties and table tapas as a starter, serving croquetas, Manchego with membrillo and albóndigas.
Near Hartlip, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. You’ll know exactly what’s included before booking: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose.
Live paella or other catering?
Generic canapés all look the same. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We will send you a quote.
Why us?
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
See How we price And The cost guide.
Hartlip: venues and local tips
Hartlip is about 3 miles south-east of Gillingham, in Kent. From the centre of Hartlip to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Hartlip is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. Our events stretch from Hartlip to Canterbury (about 20 miles away).
Parks such as Foxburrow Wood have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Michael, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Hartlip, ideal for an outdoor reception.
This part of Kent takes in ME9, so your event can be anywhere in it. Streets in the area include The Street, Dane Close and Place Lane, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Close by, we cover events in Lower Hartlip (1 mile east), Moor Street (1 mile north-west), Breach (1 mile north-east), Meresborough (1 mile west) and Newington (1 mile east). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (7 miles south-west), Sittingbourne (4 miles east), Gravesend (13 miles north-west), Faversham (11 miles east), Northfleet (14 miles north-west) and Minster (9 miles north-east).
A little further out are Bayford Court (4.5 miles east) and Medway Maritime Hospital (4.8 miles north-west). Open spaces near Hartlip include Detling Hill and Bishop Saltings.
- Local schools include Leigh Academy Rainham (1.3 miles north-west)
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Planners, venues and businesses
Events in public spaces, like parks, normally need permission. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
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.
The menu, dish by dish
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
Your questions about tapas catering in Hartlip
Could we have live paella in Foxburrow Wood?
Only if the landowner, usually the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
We are having a ceremony at Church of St Michael: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Are the tapas served hot?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue.
Do you offer halal options?
We can. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and it’s cooked separately.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
Can we add drinks?
Sangria, yes, plus bar staff for your own drinks.
When should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Is the paella cooked on site?
It is. We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook on the day, then serve straight from the pan.
Dietary needs and planning tips
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Check diets in advance
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Serving boards and crockery.
What else we do in Hartlip
Planning the cooking area
We will be honest if a space won’t work, and help find another spot. What matters most:
- Unloading access
- Space on each table
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
Popular choices
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
What tapas catering costs
Your quote will be clear and itemised. What affects it most:
- The number of people
- Your choice of paellas
- How many staff you need
- The length of service
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. We itemise everything in your quote.
Getting an accurate quote
When you get in touch, it helps to tell us:
- What the venue already provides
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- A picture of the space, if you can
- The courses you’d like
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Step by step
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. We need a level, ventilated spot, which we agree with you beforehand. Evening receptions in Hartlip stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:15pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
Before we arrive
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Share the running order, including any speeches
Ask for a quote
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you’re ready, fill in our quote form.
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