Live paella catering, cooked fresh at your event · London and the South East
A spread of tapas on wooden boards with glasses of red wine

Kent · England

Tapas Catering for Otford events

Looking for tapas catering in Otford? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.

  • Sharing tapas starters
  • Engagement drinks
  • Sharing boards for evening guests

Get a quote

Tapas catering in Otford

Tapas catering in Otford, made fresh on the day

Hot tapas are finished on site, so they’re served at their best. Typical bookings include anniversary parties and evening grazing, serving Serrano ham, croquetas and albóndigas.

For a party in a place like Otford, a tapas spread is easy and sociable. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.

Red sangria in a jug and a sugar-rimmed glass
Area
Otford (TN14)
Area hub
Kent
Dietary options
Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
Also available
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
Quote
Quoted for your event
Page updated
23 October 2026

What’s in the pans

Manchego & membrillo

A simple, classic pairing.

Croquetas

Croquetas disappear fast.

Otford: venues and local tips

Otford is about 2 miles north of Sevenoaks, in Kent. For tapas catering in Otford, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices. We cover all 922 towns and villages in Kent. We cook right across the region, from Otford to London (about 18 miles away).

Parks such as Fackenden Down have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. If you’re looking at a historic venue around Otford, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 2 miles of Otford, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.

For tapas catering in TN14, we plan around your venue and your guests. Local streets include Station Road, High Street and Bubblestone Road; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Other places close to Otford for tapas catering include Twitton (1 mile west), Shoreham (2 miles north), Sepham Heath (2 miles north-west), Halstead (3 miles north-west) and Badgers Mount (3 miles north-west). Further out, we also cater in Maidstone (15 miles east), Dartford (9 miles north), Royal Tunbridge Wells (13 miles south), Gravesend (12 miles north-east), Tonbridge (9 miles south-east) and Northfleet (11 miles north-east).

A little further out are Kemsing Castle Bank (1.7 miles east) and Otford Heritage Centre (less than half a mile south-east). Not far away are Dryhill Nature Reserve.

  • Local schools include St Michael's Preparatory School (0.7 miles east) and Knole Academy (1.7 miles south)
  • Local pubs include The Woodman pub (less than half a mile north)
Map of Otford © OpenStreetMap contributors

Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?

Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.

For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.

What we need at the venue

If a space isn’t suitable, we’ll tell you, and help find another spot. What matters most:

  • A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
  • Space for a serving table or station
  • Space on each table

If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before you book.

Popular choices

  • Serrano ham
  • Albóndigas
  • Croquetas
  • Manchego & membrillo
  • Tortilla española
  • Gambas al ajillo
  • Padrón peppers
  • Olives & bread
  • Chorizo in red wine
  • Patatas bravas

View our sample menu

How the day works

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. Sunset in Otford is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.

  1. Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
  2. You get a selection and a price.
  3. We set up and finish the hot dishes.
  4. Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
  5. We clear our equipment afterwards.

How to prepare

  • Name one person we can ask on the day
  • Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
  • Ensure we can park close by to unload

Get a quote

The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.

Tell us about your event

Read more

Catering for every guest

Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. Our advice:

  • Make sure dishes are labelled
  • Ask guests about diets and allergies
  • Book staff to carry canapés round
  • Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal

Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.

Staff to serve canapés.

Events we cater in Otford

Big or small, tapas work.

Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We regularly cater:

  • Engagement celebrations
  • Sharing tapas starters
  • Tapas and paella menus
  • Birthday drinks

Guests travelling by rail: Otford has its own station, Otford station.

What your quote should include

  • Whether VAT is included
  • The venue requirements
  • How many staff are coming, and for how long
  • How late numbers can change

12 questions to ask before you book

Common questions in Otford

What’s the nearest station to Otford for guests?

Otford station, in Otford itself.

We are having a ceremony at Church of St Bartholomew: can you cater afterwards?

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 typically elsewhere. Send us the reception address.

Can you do sangria?

We can add sangria and bar staff.

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 photo.

Are the tapas fresh?

Hot tapas are finished on site so they’re served at their best.

How much does tapas catering cost in Otford?

We quote for each event, so you only pay for what you need. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas and we will reply with a price.

How much paella per person?

Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.

Can you do sangria?

Yes, sangria. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.

Why live cooking beats a buffet

A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before you book.

What you get with us

  • Served hot, straight from the pan
  • Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
  • Every diet catered for, pan by pan
  • Crockery and waiting staff if you need them

See Our prices page Or The cost guide.

What tapas catering costs

Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, depending on:

  • How long we are needed on site
  • Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
  • Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
  • Parking and unloading

Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.

What to tell us

A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:

  • A picture of where we’d cook
  • The date and rough timings
  • Anything your venue supplies
  • Diets and allergies you know about

Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can use our quote form.

  • 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

See the menu · How it works · Get a quote