Kent · England
Tapas Catering in Keycol
Planning tapas catering in Keycol? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Sharing tapas starters
- Tapas and paella menus
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Tapas catering near Keycol
Keycol: venues and local tips
Keycol is about 2 miles west of Sittingbourne, in Kent. Wherever your event is in the ME9 area, we can bring the pans to you. We cater in 922 places in Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 18 miles away.
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Keycol, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Bartholomew. Keycol is within about 7 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cook at events all over the ME9 postcode area and the streets around it. We can cater an event on streets such as Rooks View, Hill Farm View and Rook Lane. Nearby, we also cater events in Bobbing (1 mile east), Chestnut Street (1 mile south), Newington (1 mile west), Danaway (1 mile south-west) and Oad Street (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (9 miles south-west), Gravesend (15 miles north-west), Whitstable (15 miles east), Faversham (9 miles east), Minster (7 miles north-east) and Kings Hill (13 miles south-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Sittingbourne and Milton Urban District (1.8 miles east) and Bayford Court (2.3 miles east).
- Schools near Keycol include Westlands School (1 mile south-east)
- Nearby, you will find George Inn (1 mile west)
Tapas catering in Keycol, made fresh on the day
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; table tapas suit seated meals. Lots of events do both. We cook albóndigas, padrón peppers and tortilla española, and we’re regularly asked to cater engagement celebrations and evening grazing.
For a country party near Keycol, tapas and sangria set the mood. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
What affects the price in Keycol
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- How many courses
- Travel, parking and access
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What to tell us
To check availability and price, we need:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The address or venue name
- What the venue already provides
- Expected numbers
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Questions from Keycol
Do you cater in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will follow the site rules.
Which station should guests use for Keycol?
Newington station, about 1.1 miles west of the centre.
Where do you cater?
We cover London and the South East, Kent included. Find your area.
Can you cook in the rain?
We need a covered spot, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We plan for rain with you in advance.
How do you work out quantities?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Tell us what else is being served. Our guide to portions explains more.
Is halal food available?
Yes, we do. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in its own pan.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.
When should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Towns and villages near Keycol
What else we do in Keycol
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Occasions we cook for in Keycol
They’re ideal when a full meal does not fit.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Tapas starters
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Evening grazing
- Tapas with a paella main course
Guests travelling by rail: Newington station is about 1.1 miles away.
What to look for in a quote
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- What happens if it rains
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
Planners, venues and businesses
If you are planning an event on someone’s behalf, whether you’re a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we’ll work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Diets, allergies and planning
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Ask for labels on each dish
Each dish is labelled.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Live paella or other catering?
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, so they fit most plans. Live paella pricing depends on the event. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Why Keycol hosts choose us
- We cover Keycol and the whole of Kent
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
Take a look at How we price Or What paella catering costs.
How the day works
Watching it cook is half the fun. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring while your guests chat. A summer drinks reception in Keycol has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. 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
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Give us a contact for the day
How to get a price
Still deciding on the menu? That’s fine: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll make suggestions. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Planning the cooking area
We will be honest if a space won’t work. The main points are:
- Space on each table
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- A spot for our serving station
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think before you book.
On the menu in Keycol
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- 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