Kent · England
Tapas Catering in Markbeech
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Markbeech: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, right in front of your guests.
- Table tapas as a starter
- Cocktail parties
- Engagement parties
Live tapas catering in Markbeech
Planning a tapas spread in Markbeech
Markbeech is about 6 miles north-east of East Grinstead, in Kent. For an event in Markbeech, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices in and around Markbeech. We cook in 922 places across Kent. Our events stretch from Markbeech to London (25 miles away).
Historic buildings near Markbeech often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. A picnic in Chiddingstone Castle Park and Gardens? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering. Markbeech is within about 6 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
This part of Kent takes in TN8, so your event can be anywhere in it. That could mean an event in a garden on Uckfield Lane and Cow Lane. We also cook at events in Newtown (1 mile north), Hever (1 mile north), Chiddingstone Hoath (1 mile east), How Green (2 miles north) and Teasley Mead (3 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Sevenoaks (8 miles north-east), Royal Tunbridge Wells (7 miles east), Tonbridge (8 miles east), Kings Hill (15 miles north-east), Paddock Wood (12 miles east) and Southborough (6 miles east).
Nearby you will also find Haxted Watermill Museum (3.8 miles north-west) and Hever Castle (1.3 miles north).
- Nearby, you’ll find The Kentish Horse pub (within half a mile south)
Tapas catering for your event in Markbeech
We will recommend a tapas selection for your event, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. On the menu are albóndigas, padrón peppers and patatas bravas, and typical bookings are for evening grazing and tapas before paella.
Near Markbeech, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. Got a budget? Let us know, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Why us?
- A quote that spells everything out
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
See How we price And Our guide to catering costs.
How the day works
A typical event goes like this: we arrive, set up and start cooking, your guests watch the rice cook, and we serve straight from the pan at the agreed time. A summer drinks reception in Markbeech has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
How to prepare
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
Ask for a quote
The quickest way to a quote is to fill in our quote form. Tell us about your event in Markbeech, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Read more
Markbeech questions
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of the Holy Trinity?
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 normally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
How far is Markbeech from London?
Roughly 25 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Do you cover Markbeech?
Yes, we do. Markbeech is one of the places we cover. Send us your date to check availability.
How much tapas do we need?
It depends on whether they’re a starter, canapés or the whole meal. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest quantities.
Can you serve drinks?
Yes, sangria. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Who clears up?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
How much paella per person?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.
How much is live paella catering?
We quote for each event, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
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.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Prices and what affects them
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Waiting and bar staff
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- How many courses
- The number of people
Larger events usually cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
Details that help
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Where the event is
- The date and time of the event
- Expected numbers
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll make suggestions. To start, use our quote form.
What we need at the venue
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Permission from the venue
- Room for a tapas table
- Access to unload near the serving area
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
Menu ideas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
The menu, dish by dish
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free.
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside.
Towns and villages near Markbeech
Other catering in Markbeech
Diets, allergies and planning
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
Table tapas are set down to share.
Serving boards and crockery.
Events we cater in Markbeech
They suit standing receptions where a full meal does not fit.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in Markbeech and nearby. Popular bookings include:
- Launches and office parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Engagement parties
- Evening sharing boards
For guests coming by train, Cowden station is about 0.8 miles away.
Comparing caterers
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- How late numbers can change
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- How each diet is kept separate
- 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