Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Leigh, Kent
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Leigh and Kent, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Work receptions
- Engagement celebrations
- Tapas starters
Live tapas catering in Leigh
What we need at the venue
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Parking near the venue
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- An area to prepare hot tapas
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Menu ideas
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
Tapas catering in Leigh, cooked live
Receptions, parties, office events and weddings all suit tapas in and around Leigh. Whether it’s anniversary parties and welcome-drink canapés, we can cook Manchego with membrillo, Serrano ham and albóndigas.
Near Leigh, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
How we price tapas catering
Your quote will be clear and itemised. The main things that affect it are:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Guest numbers
- How many courses
- The length of service
There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
Getting an accurate quote
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Expected numbers
- Which courses you have in mind
- Where the event is
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. When you are ready, fill in our quote form.
Receptions and parties in Leigh
Leigh is about 3 miles west of Tonbridge, in Kent. For an event in Leigh, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Leigh. Leigh is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. Our events stretch from Leigh to London (25 miles away).
If you are looking at a historic venue around Leigh, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Historic houses near Leigh include Penshurst Place (2 miles south-west) and Chiddingstone Castle (3.3 miles west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
This part of Kent takes in TN11, so your event can be anywhere in it. Local streets include High Street, Green View Avenue and The Green; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Other places close to Leigh for tapas catering include Lower Haysden (1 mile east), Printstile (2 miles south), Bidborough (2 miles south-east), Tonbridge (3 miles east) and Stockland Green (3 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (14 miles east), Sevenoaks (6 miles north), Royal Tunbridge Wells (5 miles south-east), Swanley (14 miles north), Kings Hill (10 miles north-east) and Foley Park (15 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Tonbridge Cottage Hospital (2.7 miles south-east) and The Milne Museum (2.4 miles east). Open spaces near Leigh include Tudeley Woods RSPB reserve and Barden Lake.
- Schools near Leigh include The Judd School (2.1 miles east)
- Nearby, you’ll find Fleur De Lis Cottages Fleur De Lis Public House (within half a mile west)
Common questions in Leigh
Can you cook in Haysden Country Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, normally the council. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
Do you come out to small places like Leigh?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
When do you arrive?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
When should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Peak dates go quickly, so get in touch early.
Do we need staff for canapés?
Staff make canapés work, which we can supply.
Do you do starters?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, served while the paella cooks.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s 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.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather be with your guests, we’ll do the cooking.
Perfect for your event in Leigh
One spread covers many tastes and diets.
These are some of the occasions we cater in Leigh and Kent:
- Drinks reception canapés
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Table tapas as a starter
- Tapas and paella menus
Guests travelling by rail: Leigh (Kent) station is in Leigh itself.
Comparing caterers
- How each diet is kept separate
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- How long the team stays
- Whether travel is included
Other catering in Leigh
How it works
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. We need a level, ventilated spot, which we agree with you beforehand. Sunset in Leigh is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Give us a contact for the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
How to get a price
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
For planners, venues and organisers
Events in public spaces, like parks, typically need permission. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
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 will work to it.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Collect dietary needs
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
Canapés circulate with drinks.
Sangria and bar staff.
The menu, dish by dish
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, often with alioli.
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
- 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