Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Pluckley Thorne, Kent
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Pluckley Thorne. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Birthday drinks
- Drinks reception canapés
- Table tapas as a starter
Book tapas catering in Pluckley Thorne
Is live paella right for your event?
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, which makes them easy to plan around. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Why book with us
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Catering across Kent, including Pluckley Thorne
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
Take a look at Our prices page Or Our guide to catering costs.
Tapas catering in Pluckley Thorne, cooked live
Tapas are sharing food, made for conversation. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. Whether it is canapés with welcome drinks and office parties and launches, we will put together a menu of gambas al ajillo, albóndigas and patatas bravas.
Near Pluckley Thorne, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
Space, weather and the venue
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Unloading access
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather be with your guests, we’ll do the cooking.
Weighing up DIY against 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.
Also near Pluckley Thorne
More for events in Pluckley Thorne
Tapas for events in Pluckley Thorne
Pluckley Thorne is about 6 miles west of Ashford, in Kent. From the centre of Pluckley Thorne to the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Pluckley Thorne is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Pluckley Thorne to Canterbury (16 miles away).
Historic houses near Pluckley Thorne include Godinton House (3.9 miles east). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Pluckley station, about 1 mile south. Pluckley Thorne is within about 8 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Tapas catering in TN27 is planned around your venue. We can cater an event on streets such as Smarden Road and Lambden Road or the roads around them. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Fir Toll (1 mile south-east), Pluckley (1 mile north-east), Chambers' Green (1 mile south), Mundy Bois (1 mile north-west) and Newland Green (1 mile north-west). Further out, we also cater in Maidstone (12 miles north-west), Ashford (6 miles east), Sittingbourne (12 miles north), Faversham (12 miles north-east), Davington (12 miles north-east) and Foley Park (12 miles north-west).
A little further out are Romden Castle (2.2 miles south-west).
- Nearby, you’ll find The Black Horse Inn (0.5 miles north-east)
Catering for every guest
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To get it right:
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Ask for labels on each dish
Each dish is labelled.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Prices and what affects them
Your quote will be clear and itemised. The main things that affect it are:
- How many guests are eating
- Travel, parking and access
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- The paellas you choose
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Details that help
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Anything your venue supplies
- The venue or postcode
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
Send us the date, your venue or TN27 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and you’ll get a menu idea and a price. To get started, use our quote form.
FAQs for Pluckley Thorne
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Nicholas?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is normally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
What’s the nearest station to Pluckley Thorne for guests?
Pluckley station, about 1 mile south of the centre.
How long do you need on site?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
How much tapas do we need?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Tell us more for a suggestion.
How do you work out quantities?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
What happens if it rains?
We cook under cover, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We’ll agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas first, paella to follow.
Can you bring crockery?
If you need them, yes. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables are available.
Planners, venues and businesses
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Events we cater in Pluckley Thorne
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
Whatever you are celebrating in Pluckley Thorne, paella can be the star of the food. We regularly cater:
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Tapas and paella menus
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Office parties and launches
Historic buildings near Pluckley Thorne often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
Comparing caterers
- The wet-weather plan
- How long the team stays
- The deposit and payment dates
- Any travel, parking or access charges
What happens on the day
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you can enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first as the rice is cooking. Evening receptions in Pluckley Thorne stay light until about 8:45pm in late May and 9:15pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- 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.
Getting ready for the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Check the venue allows live cooking
Getting a price
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will make suggestions. To start, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
- 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