Kent · England
Tapas Catering in Highstead
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in Highstead. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Tapas before paella
- Table tapas as a starter
- Anniversary parties
Tapas catering near Highstead
Dishes our guests love
Patatas bravas
Always popular.
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite.
About our tapas catering in Highstead
A good spread mixes hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. For welcome-drink canapés and tapas before paella, we’ll put together a menu of padrón peppers, patatas bravas and albóndigas and more.
In a rural spot like Highstead, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We plan the timings around your day, so the paella is ready when you want to eat.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
What you get with us
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
Take a look at Our prices page And Our guide to catering costs.
Why choose tapas catering in Highstead?
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
Whatever you’re celebrating in Highstead, live paella can be the centrepiece. We regularly cater:
- Tapas before paella
- Tapas starters
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Engagement parties
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Mary the Virgin, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Before you book anyone
- If the price includes VAT
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
Planning a tapas spread in Highstead
Highstead is about 2 miles south-east of Herne Bay, in Kent. For an event in Highstead, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. Highstead is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent we cover. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 7 miles away.
A picnic in Bishopstone Cliffs? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Herne Bay station, about 2.7 miles west. The coast is within about 3 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
We cover events in every part of CT3 and CT6 and the streets around it. Close by, we cover events in Hawthorn (1 mile north), Boyden Gate (1 mile south-east), Millbank (1 mile south-west), Old Tree (1 mile south) and Hillborough (1 mile north). Larger places within reach include Canterbury (7 miles south-west), Margate (9 miles east), Ramsgate (10 miles east), Broadstairs (11 miles east), Whitstable (6 miles west) and Deal (13 miles south-east).
Nearby you will also find Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital (5.6 miles west). The countryside around Highstead includes West Blean and Thornden Woods.
- Local pubs include Hog & Donkey pub (0.8 miles north-east)
Before you choose a spot
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Space on each table
- Room for a tapas table
- Unloading access
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
How the day works
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Your guests are welcome to watch while it cooks. At midsummer, it is light in Highstead until about 9:15pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:00pm, and in December by about 3:50pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Before we arrive
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
Getting a price
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
Read more
FAQs for Highstead
How far is Highstead from London?
Roughly 56 miles from the centre of London.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Mary the Virgin?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Do you provide drinks?
Sangria, yes. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.
How many paellas should we have?
Most events have two or three: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We will suggest a split based on your guests.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
What if the weather’s bad?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Do you take everything away?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
When should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Peak dates go quickly, so it pays to ask early.
Prices and what affects them
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- Distance and access to the venue
- Timings and hours
- How many staff you need
- Whether you need crockery
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Getting an accurate quote
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Anything your venue supplies
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
To get a price, use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will put together a menu and price.
Towns and villages near Highstead
Other catering in Highstead
Diets, allergies and planning
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Check diets in advance
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
Tapas go out to the tables.
Crockery and serving dishes.
- 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