Kent · England
Tapas Catering in Headcorn
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 Headcorn.
- Tapas before paella
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Engagement drinks
Planning an event in Headcorn?
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Tapas catering in Headcorn, cooked live
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, served while the paella cooks, but they work on their own too. We’re often asked to cater table tapas as a starter and welcome-drink canapés, with patatas bravas, Manchego with membrillo and gambas al ajillo.
Around Headcorn, tapas suit garden parties and village-hall celebrations. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, each in a separate pan.
How it works
When the rice goes in, it’s left alone. That is how the grains cook evenly and the toasted base, the socarrat, forms. The smell generally draws people over. Sunset in Headcorn is around 9:15pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Preparing for the day
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
How to get a price
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, use our quote form.
Planning help
Paella compared with other options
Standard canapés can feel samey. Tapas bring something different. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
Why choose Love Paella in Headcorn
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- No hidden extras in your quote
Take a look at Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
Before you choose a spot
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but a few things matter:
- Space on each table
- Space for a serving table or station
- Unloading access
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
What we offer
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
Drinks receptions around Headcorn
Headcorn is about 8 miles south-east of Maidstone, in Kent. We bring tapas catering to gardens, halls and venues around Headcorn and nearby villages. Headcorn is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 21 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Headcorn station is in Headcorn itself. After a ceremony at a church such as St Peter's and St Paul's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Headcorn is within about 7 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
This part of Kent takes in TN27, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. Local streets include Station Road, High Street and Knight's Way; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. For events just outside Headcorn, we cover Hearnden Green (1 mile north-west), Southernden (2 miles north-east), Swift's Green (2 miles east), Lashenden (2 miles south) and Smarden Bell (2 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (8 miles north-west), Ashford (11 miles east), Sittingbourne (13 miles north), Tonbridge (15 miles west), Faversham (15 miles north-east) and Kings Hill (12 miles north-west).
Nearby you’ll also find Sutton Valence Castle (3.2 miles north-west) and Benenden Hospital (5.8 miles south).
- Local pubs include The Kings Arms Inn And Shop Adjoining To Right (under half a mile south-west)
Organising for someone else?
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.
Organising a club, school or community event in Headcorn? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we will suggest a menu.
What affects the price in Headcorn
We’ll give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- How many courses
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Timings and hours
Larger events generally cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What to tell us
To check availability and price, we need:
- The courses you’d like
- The date and time of the event
- The address or venue name
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
Send us the date, your venue or TN27 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. To get started, use our quote form.
Questions from Headcorn
How far is Headcorn from London?
Roughly 39 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Can you cook at venues in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will work to whatever the site needs.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, if you need them. Tell us what your venue provides and we’ll include the rest in the quote.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three is usual: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We’ll help you decide the split.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria can be added, and we can staff a bar with your drinks.
Do you supply canapé staff?
Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to carry them round.
What does tapas catering cost?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
Do you cater in Headcorn?
Yes, we do. Headcorn is one of the places we cover. Send us your date to check availability.
Perfect for your event in Headcorn
They make a perfect starter before paella.
In Headcorn and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Some of the most common are:
- Evening sharing boards
- Work receptions
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Birthday drinks
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Headcorn, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Comparing caterers
- How bad weather is handled
- Whether travel is included
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
About the dishes
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free when made carefully.
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns.
More for events in Headcorn
- 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