Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Hawkenbury, Kent
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Hawkenbury: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Engagement parties
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Birthday drinks
Live tapas catering in Hawkenbury
Tapas catering in Hawkenbury, made fresh on the day
Tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties, office events and weddings in and around Hawkenbury. Typical bookings include tapas before paella and engagement drinks, serving gambas al ajillo, tortilla española and Serrano ham.
Around Hawkenbury, tapas suit garden parties and village-hall celebrations. The paella is served straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
How we price tapas catering
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- How many guests are eating
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Travel, parking and access
Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We’ll send you a quote.
Details that help
To check availability and price, we need:
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Expected numbers
- The address or venue name
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
Why choose live paella in Hawkenbury?
Nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Why us?
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Served hot, straight from the pan
Take a look at Our prices page Or What paella catering costs.
Planning a tapas spread in Hawkenbury
Hawkenbury is about 1 mile south-east of Royal Tunbridge Wells, in Kent. Tell us where your event in Hawkenbury will be, and we’ll plan access and set-up before the day. Hawkenbury is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent we cover. Our nearest city page is Brighton, about 27 miles away.
Historic houses near Hawkenbury include Groombridge Place (3.9 miles west) and Wadhurst Castle (4.7 miles south-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. Historic buildings near Hawkenbury frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. The High Weald National Landscape is within about 5 miles of Hawkenbury, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
This part of Kent takes in TN2 and TN1. Local streets include Forest Road, Nelson Road and Dorset Road; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Close by, we cover events in Royal Tunbridge Wells (1 mile north-west), Broadwater Down (1 mile west), Bells Yew Green (2 miles south-east), High Brooms (2 miles north) and Rusthall (2 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (15 miles north-east), Sevenoaks (12 miles north), Tonbridge (5 miles north), Kings Hill (12 miles north-east), Paddock Wood (6 miles north-east) and Park Wood (14 miles north-east).
A little further out are Tunbridge Wells Homeopathic Hospital (1 mile north-west) and The Amelia (1 mile north-west). Green spaces nearby include Broadwater Warren RSPB Reserve.
- Schools near Hawkenbury include Skinners' Kent Academy (1.3 miles north-east) and The Skinners’ Kent Academy (1.4 miles north-east)
- Local pubs include The Hawkenbury pub (within half a mile south-west)
Step by step
The cooking is part of the entertainment. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook. Evening receptions in Hawkenbury 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.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Preparing for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Let us know the timings for the day
Getting a price
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, plus any dietary needs, and we will reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Diets, allergies and planning
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. A few tips:
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Include staff for canapés
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Collect dietary needs
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Also near Hawkenbury
More for events in Hawkenbury
Occasions we cook for in Hawkenbury
One spread covers many tastes and diets.
These are some of the occasions we cater:
- Sharing tapas starters
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Engagement parties
- Cocktail parties
Parks such as Dunorlan Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
Before you book anyone
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- Space, access and power needs
- Whether travel is included
- Payment terms and deposit
Organising for someone else?
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
Throwing a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Where we can cook in Hawkenbury
We will agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- A spot for our serving station
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Permission from the venue
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before booking.
Menu ideas
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
Common questions in Hawkenbury
Can you cook at venues in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will follow the site rules.
Is Hawkenbury close to London?
About 31 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance so the paella is ready when you want it.
Can you cook in the rain?
We cook under cover, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We will agree a wet-weather plan with you.
How many different paellas?
Most events have two or three: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We will help you decide the split.
How much is live paella catering?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we will send a quote.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Tell us what you have in mind when you ask for a quote.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Hot tapas are finished on site so they’re served at their best.
A closer look at the menu
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat, frequently with ham or mushroom.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, often with alioli.
- 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