Kent · England
Tapas Catering for Orlestone events
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Orlestone and nearby, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Work receptions
- Tapas with a paella main course
Tapas catering in Orlestone
Tapas catering in Orlestone, cooked live
We’ll recommend a tapas selection for your event, starter or main event. Whether it’s engagement parties and birthday and anniversary parties, we will put together a menu of tortilla española, gambas al ajillo and padrón peppers and more.
For a country party near Orlestone, tapas and sangria set the mood. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated, and served the moment it is ready.
Diets, allergies and planning
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Add sangria or cava
- Check diets in advance
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
Afterwards, we clear away.
Add a live paella main.
Step by step
Watching it cook is half the fun. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook while your guests chat. A summer drinks reception in Orlestone has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, 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.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Before we arrive
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
Get a quote
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
DIY paella versus live catering
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we’ll do the cooking.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Planning a tapas spread in Orlestone
Orlestone is about 4 miles south of Ashford, in Kent. Tell us where your event in Orlestone will be, and we will plan the journey and set-up before the day. Orlestone is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent we cover. Our events stretch from Orlestone to Canterbury (about 17 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Ham Street station, about 0.7 miles south-east. After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Mary the Virgin, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Anywhere in TN26, we can cook for your guests. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Hamstreet (1 mile south-east), Bromley Green (1 mile north), Kenardington (2 miles south-west), Ruckinge (2 miles south-east) and Stone Cross (2 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Ashford (4 miles north), Folkestone (14 miles east), Hythe (10 miles east), Hawkinge (14 miles east), Tenterden (7 miles west) and Cheriton (13 miles east).
Nearby you’ll also find Woodchurch Village Life Museum (3.6 miles west) and William Harvey Hospital (5.3 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Orlestone Forest.
- Local pubs include The Dukes Head pub (0.9 miles south-east)
Prices and what affects them
Every event is priced individually, and the price depends on a few things:
- Parking and unloading
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Guest numbers
- The paellas you choose
Got a budget? Let us know, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Getting an accurate quote
These details help us quote quickly:
- Where the event is
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Roughly how many adults and children
To get a price, use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Orlestone, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
What we need at the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Unloading access
- An area to prepare hot tapas
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in Orlestone
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
Why choose live paella in Orlestone?
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
Why us?
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- No hidden extras in your quote
See Our prices page And The cost guide.
Common questions in Orlestone
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Mary the Virgin?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking generally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
How far is Orlestone from London?
About 50 miles from central London.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes, on request. Let us know your halal numbers, and we will cook a separate pan.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Can you do sangria?
We can add sangria and bar staff.
How much paella per person?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Tell us what else is being served. Our guide to portions explains more.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
How far ahead should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it is short notice, it’s worth asking.
Organising for someone else?
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so guests are fed quickly. Let us know how long the food break is.
If you are planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
Also near Orlestone
Other catering in Orlestone
Occasions we cook for in Orlestone
They’re the classic starter before paella.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Engagement drinks
- Tapas starters
- Birthday drinks
- Office parties and launches
If you are looking at a historic venue around Orlestone, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
What your quote should include
- How late numbers can change
- The wet-weather plan
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- What the price includes, item by item
- 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