Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Marley, Kent
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Marley: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Tapas starters
- Engagement parties
- Tapas before paella
Tapas catering in Marley
Tapas catering for your event in Marley
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, served while the paella cooks, but they’re great on their own. On the menu are patatas bravas, croquetas and albóndigas, and we are regularly asked to cater receptions and drinks parties and engagement parties.
Near Marley, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, with each paella cooked in its own pan.
What’s in the pans
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free.
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Towns and villages near Marley
What else we do in Marley
DIY paella versus live catering
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
What tapas catering costs
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- How many courses
- Distance and access to the venue
- Guest numbers
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
Details that help
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Anything your venue supplies
- Which courses you have in mind
- Expected numbers
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, along with any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. Just use our quote form.
Marley: venues and local tips
Marley is about 5 miles south-east of Canterbury, in Kent. Tell us where your event in Marley will be, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up. We cover 922 places in Kent.
Parks such as Jumping Downs have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. Nearby historic houses include Goodnestone Park (4.7 miles north-east). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 4 miles of Marley, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Wherever your event is in CT4, we can bring tapas catering to you. Whether your event is on Marley Lane and Covet Lane or a nearby road, we’ll bring the pans to you. Nearby, we also cater events in Kingston (1 mile north-east), Heart's Delight (1 mile south-east), Out Elmstead (1 mile east), Barham (1 mile east) and Derringstone (1 mile south-east). Larger places within reach include Ashford (13 miles south-west), Canterbury (5 miles north-west), Dover (9 miles south-east), Folkestone (9 miles south), Ramsgate (15 miles north-east) and Whitstable (11 miles north-west).
Nearby you will also find Kent and Canterbury Hospital (4.3 miles north-west).
- Local pubs include Black Robin Public House (1 mile north-east)
Planners, venues and businesses
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Marley? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
How it works
Service is quick: we serve straight from the pan, so even a long queue moves. When service is finished, we pack down. Sunset in Marley is around 9:15pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
How to prepare
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Ask for a quote
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Space, weather and the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- Permission from the venue
- Room for a tapas table
- Parking near the venue
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before booking.
What we offer
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
Marley: your questions answered
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 will follow the site rules.
Is Marley close to London?
About 57 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Do you do starters?
Yes. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, while the rice is cooking.
When should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it’s short notice, it’s worth asking.
How much space do you need?
Less than you might think: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a picture.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. We arrive with everything we need and cook on the day, then serve straight from the pan.
How much does tapas catering cost in Marley?
We quote for each event, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes. We cook vegetarian and vegan paellas in their own pans.
Why choose tapas catering in Marley?
They’re easy to eat with a drink in hand.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In Marley, people book us for events such as:
- Engagement celebrations
- Evening grazing
- Sharing tapas starters
- Work receptions
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Snowdown station, about 3.5 miles east.
Comparing caterers
- A clear list of what’s included
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- How each diet is kept separate
- How bad weather is handled
Dietary needs and planning tips
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Here’s how:
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
Afterwards, we clear away.
Bar staff and sangria.
- 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