Medway · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Luton, Medway
Planning tapas catering in Luton? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Tapas before paella
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Receptions and drinks parties
Tapas catering near Luton
About our tapas catering in Luton
A good spread mixes hot and cold: cold cheese and ham with hot bravas, croquetas and garlic prawns. Whether it’s work receptions and engagement celebrations, we’ll put together a menu of tortilla española, albóndigas and croquetas.
Tapas make a party in Luton easy and sociable. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, not reheated, and served the moment it is ready.
Paella compared with other options
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas work brilliantly. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is often good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
What you get with us
- Catering across Medway, including Luton
- Drinks service on request
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
Take a look at Our prices page And What paella catering costs.
What else we do in Luton
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
How the day works
Serving is fast: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so large groups are fed quickly. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. Sunset in Luton is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Let us know the timings for the day
Getting a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Organising for someone else?
If you are organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we’re happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will talk you through the process. We are happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
What tapas catering costs
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- How many courses
- Waiting and bar staff
- The length of service
- The paellas you choose
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
What we need to know
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- Expected numbers
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Your date and when you want to eat
It’s easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We will send a clear, itemised quote.
Why choose tapas catering in Luton?
Big or small, tapas work.
Here are some of the events we cook for around Luton:
- Engagement parties
- Tapas and paella menus
- Work receptions
- Sharing tapas starters
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Chatham station, about 1 mile north-west.
Before booking anyone
- The deposit and payment dates
- Whether travel is included
- Allergen information for each dish
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
Diets, allergies and planning
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To get it right:
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Ask for labels on each dish
Table tapas are set down to share.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
Luton: venues and local tips
Luton is about 1 mile north of Chatham, in Medway. Give us the address of your event in Luton, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up before the day. Luton is one of 68 places in Medway where we cook. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 24 miles away.
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Saint Paul with All Saints. Nearby historic houses include Restoration House (1.8 miles north-west) and Temple Manor (2.5 miles north-west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
This part of Medway takes in ME4, ME5 and ME7, so your event can be anywhere in it. That could mean an event in a garden on Mill Lane, Luton Road and Maida Road. We also cook at events in Hale (1 mile south-east), Chatham (1 mile south), Darland (1 mile south-east), Chatham Waterfront (1 mile north-west) and Capstone (1 mile south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Rainham (3 miles east), Strood (3 miles north-west), Park Wood (3 miles south-east), Hoo St Werburgh (4 miles north), Wigmore (3 miles east) and Peters Village (4 miles south-west). Being one of Medway’s larger places, Luton has lots of places to hold an event.
A little further out are Pentagon Shopping Centre (1.1 miles north-west) and Six Poor Travellers House (2 miles north-west). Not far away are Ranscombe Farm and Blue Bell Hill.
- Local schools include The Victory Academy (within half a mile south-west) and Hospital and Medical Tuition Service (0.7 miles north-east)
- Pubs nearby include The Magpie Tavern (under half a mile north)
- Local facilities include Chatham Free Library (0.7 miles north) and City of Rochester-upon-Medway (2.3 miles north-west)
Common questions in Luton
Can you cater a reception after a service at Saint Paul with All Saints?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Can you cook in Gillingham Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, typically the council. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
When should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Will there be enough food?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Accurate numbers help.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Yes. Tapas and canapés can be booked on their own.
Is the paella gluten-free?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Are the tapas fresh?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away; cold tapas are laid out as guests arrive.
Can you cater for children?
Yes. Children often love a simple chicken paella. Include children in your numbers.
Dishes our guests love
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free.
- 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