Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Hawkenbury, Kent
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Hawkenbury. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Engagement parties
- Tapas starters
- Tapas before paella
Book tapas catering in Hawkenbury
About our tapas catering in Hawkenbury
We finish hot tapas on site, so they’re served at their best. We cook croquetas, Serrano ham and tortilla española, and we’re often booked for birthday and anniversary parties and tapas with a paella main course.
Near Hawkenbury, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in a separate pan.
Occasions we cook for in Hawkenbury
They cover lots of tastes and diets in one spread.
Whatever the occasion, live paella can be the centrepiece. We regularly cater:
- Engagement parties
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Launches and office parties
Historic buildings near Hawkenbury often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
Questions to ask before you book
- If the price includes VAT
- Space, access and power needs
- How long the team stays
- Whether travel is included
A closer look at the menu
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce.
FAQs for Hawkenbury
What’s the nearest station to Hawkenbury for guests?
Staplehurst station, about 1.3 miles west of the centre.
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 will follow the site rules.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Sangria, yes, plus bar staff for your own drinks.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.
How much paella per person?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes, we do. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in its own pan.
How much does tapas catering cost in Hawkenbury?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
Receptions and parties in Hawkenbury
Hawkenbury is about 7 miles south of Maidstone, in Kent. Whether your event is in the middle of Hawkenbury or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Hawkenbury is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Hawkenbury to Canterbury (about 23 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Staplehurst station, about 1.3 miles west. Hawkenbury is within about 6 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Wherever your event is in TN12, we can bring tapas catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Farthing Green (1 mile north-east), Devil's Den (1 mile north), Staplehurst (1 mile south-west), Cross-at-Hand (2 miles north-west) and Sinkhurst Green (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (7 miles north), Ashford (13 miles east), Sittingbourne (13 miles north-east), Royal Tunbridge Wells (14 miles west), Tonbridge (13 miles west) and Kings Hill (10 miles north-west).
Well-known places in the area include Brattle Farm Museum (2.4 miles south-west) and Sutton Valence Castle (2.6 miles north).
Prices and what affects them
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- Distance and access to the venue
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- The length of service
- Starters, canapés and desserts
Got a budget? Let us know, and we will put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
What we need to know
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Anything your venue supplies
- Where the event is
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can fill in our quote form.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Diets, allergies and planning
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Check diets in advance
- Add sangria or cava
- Include staff for canapés
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Table tapas are set down to share at the start of the meal.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
Why choose live paella in Hawkenbury?
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Why us?
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Sangria and bar staff available
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Live cooking, not reheated food
Take a look at How we price Or The cost guide.
Step by step
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you can enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first as the rice is cooking. Sunset in Hawkenbury is around 9:15pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- 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.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Getting ready for the day
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
Getting a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. When you are ready, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Before you choose a spot
We’ll agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Space on each table
- Room for a tapas table
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
What we offer
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
Nearby places to Hawkenbury
Also in Hawkenbury
- 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