Kent · England
Tapas Catering for Manston events
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Manston.
- Launches and office parties
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Tapas before paella
Planning an event in Manston?
Step by step
A typical event goes like this: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and we serve straight from the pan at the agreed time. At midsummer, it is light in Manston until about 9:15pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. 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 hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Tell us where to park and unload
Get a quote
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we’re available that day.
Related guides
Tapas catering in Manston, cooked live
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. Popular choices include Manchego with membrillo, gambas al ajillo and albóndigas, and we’re often booked for table tapas as a starter and engagement parties.
For a country party near Manston, tapas and sangria set the mood. Timings are planned around your event, whether that’s speeches, a lunch break or a festival schedule.
A closer look at the menu
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, often with alioli.
Prices and what affects them
These are the factors that matter most:
- Waiting and bar staff
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Timings and hours
- Parking and unloading
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What to tell us
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Try to include:
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The venue or postcode
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can use our quote form.
Planning for every diet
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Check diets in advance
Canapés go round with the drinks as guests arrive.
Sangria and bar staff.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and do not stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
More for events in Manston
Manston: venues and local tips
Manston is about 2 miles west of Ramsgate, in Kent. For tapas catering in Manston, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. Manston is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. Our events stretch from Manston to Canterbury (about 13 miles away).
After a ceremony at a church such as St. Catherine's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. If you are looking at a historic venue around Manston, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. The coast is within about 3 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
For tapas catering in CT12, we plan around your venue. From High Street, The Meadows and Manston Road or a nearby road, we can cook there. Other places close to Manston for tapas catering include Haine (1 mile north-east), Flete (1 mile north), Newington (1 mile east), Cliffs End (1 mile south) and Chilton (1 mile south-east). Larger places within reach include Canterbury (13 miles west), Dover (15 miles south), Broadstairs (3 miles east), Whitstable (15 miles west), Deal (9 miles south) and Herne Bay (10 miles west).
Other landmarks nearby include Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum (0.9 miles west) and Ramsgate General Hospital (2.1 miles south-east). The countryside around Manston includes Sandwich and Pegwell Bay.
- Local schools include The Royal Harbour Academy (1.8 miles east)
- Pubs nearby include Lord of the Manor pub (0.9 miles south-east)
- Local facilities include Margate West (2.6 miles north)
Where we can cook in Manston
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Unloading access
- Room for a tapas table
- Space to finish hot dishes
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
Popular choices
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
Live paella or other catering?
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so it helps to tell us about your venue. The full price is confirmed before you book.
Why us?
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Events in Manston and across Kent
- Fast service from the pan
Take a look at Our pricing Or The cost guide.
Manston questions
We’re having a ceremony at St. Catherine's Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
How far is Manston from London?
About 64 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
How much space do you need?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
How many different paellas?
Typically two or three, so every guest has a choice. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Yes, tapas work on their own.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Sangria and bar staff can be added.
Planners, venues and businesses
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Manston? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
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.
- 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