Kent · England
Tapas Catering for Loose events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Loose: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests.
- Evening grazing
- Tapas starters
- Engagement drinks
Book tapas catering in Loose
Tapas for events in Loose
Loose is about 2 miles south of Maidstone, in Kent. Anywhere in ME15, we will come to your venue or garden. Loose is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Loose to Canterbury (25 miles away).
For guests coming by train, East Farleigh station is about 1.8 miles away. Historic houses near Loose include Stoneacre (2.8 miles east) and Leeds Castle (5 miles east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Loose, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cater events across ME15 and ME17 and the streets around it. That could mean an event in a garden on Rosemount Close, Malthouse Hill and Old Loose Hill. For events just outside Loose, we cover Boughton Green (1 mile south-east), Boughton Monchelsea (1 mile south-east), Linton (1 mile south), Park Wood (2 miles east) and Shepway (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cater in Sittingbourne (12 miles north-east), Sevenoaks (15 miles west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (13 miles south-west), Gravesend (15 miles north-west), Tonbridge (11 miles west) and Northfleet (15 miles north-west).
A little further out are Kent Fire Brigade Museum (1.4 miles north) and The Mall Maidstone (2.4 miles north).
- Local schools include Cornwallis Academy (0.6 miles south)
- Local pubs include The Chequers Inn (less than half a mile north-east)
How our tapas catering works in Loose
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. Whether it is evening sharing boards and sharing tapas starters, we can cook patatas bravas, padrón peppers and tortilla española.
In a rural spot like Loose, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, with each paella cooked in its own pan and clearly labelled.
How the day works
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Guests normally gather round to watch while it cooks. Evening receptions in Loose stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:15pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Preparing for the day
- Give us a contact for the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
How to get a price
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, use our quote form.
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Perfect for your event in Loose
They’re ideal when a full meal does not fit.
We’re booked for all kinds of occasions in Loose and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Work receptions
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Evening grazing
- Tapas starters
If you are looking at a historic venue around Loose, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
What your quote should include
- How late numbers can change
- How bad weather is handled
- When payment is due
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
What affects the price in Loose
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- Guest numbers
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- How many staff you need
- Your choice of paellas
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 speed things up, tell us:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Where the event is
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will come back with a clear quote.
More for events in Loose
Common questions in Loose
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’ll follow the site rules.
How far is Loose from London?
About 32 miles from central London.
How many different paellas?
Usually two or three, so every guest has a choice. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we’ll suggest the mix.
What if the weather’s bad?
We cook under cover, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We’ll agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria and bar staff can be added.
How much is live paella catering?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in its own pan.
How long does the paella take?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
Working with your venue
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
A closer look at the menu
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns with a little chilli.
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic and usually vegetarian.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To get it right:
- Collect dietary needs
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Tell us what role tapas play
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Crockery and serving dishes.
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it is in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
What we need at the venue
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We need:
- Space for a serving table or station
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Permission from the venue
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Popular choices
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- 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