Medway · England
Tapas Catering in Hempstead
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Hempstead and Medway, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Evening sharing boards
- Tapas with a paella main course
Tapas catering near Hempstead
About our tapas catering in Hempstead
We finish hot tapas on site, so they’re served at their best. We’re frequently asked to cater work receptions and drinks reception canapés, serving tortilla española, albóndigas and patatas bravas.
In Hempstead, tapas work at home or in a local hall. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, never made in advance and reheated, and served the moment it is ready.
FAQs for Hempstead
We are having a ceremony at All Saints Church: 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 normally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you cook in South Wood?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes. We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook on the day, serving it hot from the pan.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Generally we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
When should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Even if it is short notice, it is worth asking.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Yes. Tapas and canapés can be booked on their own.
How much space do you need?
Less than you might think: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. Send us a picture if you’re not sure.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Plenty are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers. Each dish is labelled.
About the dishes
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat, often with ham or mushroom.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, frequently with alioli.
What we need at the venue
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- A spot for our serving station
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Venue approval for outside catering
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
On the menu in Hempstead
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
For event organisers in Hempstead
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
Who books tapas catering in Hempstead?
They make a perfect starter before paella.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in Hempstead and nearby. Popular bookings include:
- Tapas before paella
- Sharing tapas starters
- Evening grazing
- Canapés with welcome drinks
After a ceremony at a church such as All Saints Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
What your quote should include
- What happens if it rains
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- How each diet is kept separate
What affects the price in Hempstead
These are the factors that matter most:
- Waiting and bar staff
- Travel, parking and access
- Whether you need crockery
- Starters, canapés and desserts
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Details that help
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The venue or postcode
- Your date and when you want to eat
- A picture of where we’d cook
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Tell us about your event in Hempstead, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Dietary needs and planning tips
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Here’s how:
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Make sure dishes are labelled
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Waiting staff for canapés.
Drinks receptions around Hempstead
Hempstead is about 2 miles south of Gillingham, in Medway. Anywhere in ME7, we can cook for your guests. We cover 68 places across Medway. Our events stretch from Hempstead to Canterbury (about 23 miles away).
Historic houses near Hempstead include Restoration House (3.8 miles north-west) and Temple Manor (4.5 miles north-west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Rainham (Kent) station, about 2.1 miles north-east. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 7 miles of Hempstead, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Tapas catering in ME7 and ME8 is planned around your venue and timings. That could mean an event in a garden on Harrow Road, Spekes Road and Capstone Road or the roads around them. You will find Hempstead on the A278, so it’s easy for us to reach with the van and pans. We also cook at events in Capstone (1 mile north-west), Darland (1 mile north-west), Wigmore (1 mile east), Hale (1 mile north-west) and Park Wood (1 mile east). Larger places within reach include Rochester (4 miles north-west), Strood (5 miles north-west), Hoo St Werburgh (5 miles north), Chatham Waterfront (3 miles north-west), Rochester Riverside (4 miles north-west) and Peters Village (5 miles west).
Other landmarks nearby include Pentagon Shopping Centre (3 miles north-west) and Medway megaliths (3.8 miles south-west). Open spaces near Hempstead include Burham Down and Boxley Hills.
- Local schools include Rainham School for Girls (1.3 miles north-east) and Howard School (1.3 miles north-east)
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
How the day works
We work to your timings. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we adjust the cooking so it is served at its best. A summer drinks reception in Hempstead has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:00pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:50pm, are better indoors.
- Tell 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 clear our equipment afterwards.
How to prepare
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Tell us when you want to eat
How to get a price
Send us the date, your venue or ME7 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and you’ll get a menu idea and a price. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
Also in Hempstead
- 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