Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Hawkinge, Kent
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Hawkinge: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Anniversary parties
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Receptions and drinks parties
Planning an event in Hawkinge?
What we need at the venue
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space when you contact us. Generally, we look for:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Room for a tapas table
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think before you book.
What we offer
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
How our tapas catering works in Hawkinge
Receptions, parties, office events and weddings all suit tapas. For engagement drinks and drinks parties and receptions, we will put together a menu of Serrano ham, croquetas and Manchego with membrillo for your guests.
Around Hawkinge, tapas suit garden parties and village-hall celebrations. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and do not stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Perfect for your event in Hawkinge
They’re the classic starter before paella.
Here are some of the events we cook for around Hawkinge:
- Office parties and launches
- Tapas before paella
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Receptions and drinks parties
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Folkestone West station, about 2 miles south.
Questions to ask before you book
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- The deposit and payment dates
- Whether VAT is included
- When final numbers are due
How it works
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. We need a level, ventilated spot, and we agree where that is before the day. At midsummer, it’s light in Hawkinge until about 9:15pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:00pm, and in December by about 3:50pm.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
Getting a price
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
What affects the price in Hawkinge
These are the factors that matter most:
- Your choice of paellas
- The length of service
- Parking and unloading
- Starters, canapés and desserts
There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
Details that help
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- The address or venue name
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- A picture of where we’d cook
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: give us the basics about your event, and we will make suggestions. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
For planners, venues and organisers
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we’ll talk you through the process. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Towns and villages near Hawkinge
More for events in Hawkinge
FAQs for Hawkinge
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Luke's?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is typically elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Is Hawkinge close to London?
About 60 miles from central London.
Do you do vegan paella?
Of course. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans.
Will there be enough food?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
How long does the paella take?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
Where do you cater?
We cover London and the South East, Kent included. See all areas.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three covers most guests. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we will suggest the mix.
Receptions and parties in Hawkinge
Hawkinge is about 2 miles north of Folkestone, in Kent. We cook at events in gardens, halls and venues around Hawkinge and nearby villages. We cook in 922 places in Kent. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 12 miles away.
Historic houses near Hawkinge include Acrise Place (2 miles north-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. After a ceremony at a church such as St Luke's, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Hawkinge is within about 4 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 3 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Tapas catering in CT18 is planned around your venue and your guests. Your event could be at a home on The Street, Spitfire Way and Waddington Drive or the roads around them. If your venue is just outside Hawkinge, we also cover Densole (1 mile north), Old Hawkinge (1 mile east), Arpinge (1 mile south-west), Swingfield Minnis (2 miles north) and Selsted (3 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Ashford (13 miles west), Canterbury (12 miles north), Dover (6 miles east), Deal (12 miles north-east), Hythe (4 miles south-west) and Tower Hamlets (6 miles east).
Nearby you will also find Royal Victoria Hospital (2 miles south) and Elham Valley Countryside Centre And Railway Museum (2.1 miles south-west). Open spaces near Hawkinge include Cheriton Hill.
- Nearby schools include Turner Free School (1.6 miles south)
- Pubs nearby include The Mayfly pub (under half a mile south-east)
What’s in the pans
Tortilla española
Potato omelette cut into bites.
Patatas bravas
Always popular.
Is live paella right for your event?
Nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Why book with us
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Drinks service on request
- 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