Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Hollingbourne, Kent
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Hollingbourne: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Work receptions
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Anniversary parties
Tapas catering for Hollingbourne events
Tapas catering in Hollingbourne, made fresh on the day
We finish hot tapas on site, so they’re served at their best. Whether it is tapas with a paella main course and welcome-drink canapés, we’ll put together a menu of tortilla española, padrón peppers and Manchego with membrillo for your guests.
For a country party near Hollingbourne, tapas and sangria set the mood. We serve straight from the pan, so it’s hot and generous, and service is quick once it’s ready.
Planning the cooking area
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Space on each table
- Space to finish hot dishes
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before you book.
On the menu in Hollingbourne
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
How the day works
When the rice goes in, it is left alone. That is what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. Your guests will smell it before they see it. A summer drinks reception in Hollingbourne has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:00pm, and in December by about 3:50pm.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Ask for a quote
To get a price, use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will put together a menu and price.
Read more
Dietary needs and planning tips
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
Table tapas are set down to share.
Bar staff and sangria.
Towns and villages near Hollingbourne
Other catering in Hollingbourne
Tapas for events in Hollingbourne
Hollingbourne is about 5 miles east of Maidstone, in Kent. For tapas catering in Hollingbourne, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Hollingbourne. We cook in all 922 towns and villages in Kent. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 19 miles away.
Guests travelling by rail: Hollingbourne station is about 0.6 miles away. Historic buildings near Hollingbourne often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. Hollingbourne is within about a mile of the Kent Downs National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
We cater events across the ME17 postcode area and the streets around it. Whether your event is on Upper Street, Pilgrims Way and Hollingbourne Hill or a nearby road, we can cook there. For events just outside Hollingbourne, we cover Eyhorne Street (1 mile south-west), Broad Street (1 mile north-west), Chegworth (2 miles south), Ashbank (2 miles south-west) and Broomfield (2 miles south). We also cook in nearby towns such as Maidstone (5 miles west), Ashford (13 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (7 miles north-east), Faversham (11 miles east), Minster (13 miles north-east) and Kings Hill (10 miles west).
Other landmarks nearby include Laundry Museum (0.9 miles south-west) and Leeds Castle (1.3 miles south-west). The countryside around Hollingbourne includes Detling Hill.
- Nearby, you’ll find Glyder House Sugar Loaves Public House (0.7 miles south-west)
Common questions in Hollingbourne
Do you cater in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll follow the site rules.
How far is Hollingbourne from London?
About 36 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas first, paella to follow.
How long does the paella take?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
Is the paella gluten-free?
Yes, on request. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
What if the weather’s bad?
We need a covered spot, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We will agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes, always. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Yes. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
What tapas catering costs
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Travel, parking and access
- How many courses
- Your choice of paellas
- How long we are needed on site
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
Getting an accurate quote
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- The address or venue name
- Roughly how many adults and children
- The courses you’d like
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Hollingbourne? Send us the details and we will come back with ideas and a quote. Just send us your details through our quote form.
For planners, venues and organisers
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
If you’re organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we are happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
Is live paella right for your event?
For food that gets people mingling, tapas work brilliantly. Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We will send you a quote.
Why choose Love Paella in Hollingbourne
- Drinks service on request
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Events in Hollingbourne and across Kent
See How we price And Our guide to catering costs.
DIY paella versus live catering
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. 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.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it is in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
About the dishes
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, often with alioli.
- 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