Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Preston, Kent
Paella for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Preston.
- Engagement parties
- Sharing tapas starters
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Tapas catering near Preston
About our tapas catering in Preston
A good spread mixes hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. We are frequently asked to cater drinks parties and receptions and launches and office parties, with gambas al ajillo, Serrano ham and padrón peppers.
For a party in a place like Preston, a tapas spread is easy and sociable. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, with each paella cooked in its own pan.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Include staff for canapés
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
Staff keep the canapés coming.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
Nearby places to Preston
Also in Preston
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Is live paella right for your event?
Standard canapés can feel samey. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Larger events normally cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
Why us?
- A clear, itemised quote
- Drinks service on request
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
Read Our prices page And The cost guide.
Where we can cook in Preston
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Space for a serving table or station
- Unloading access
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before booking.
On the menu in Preston
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
Preston: your questions answered
How far is Preston from London?
About 45 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Catherine's Church?
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.
Should we have more than one paella?
Normally two or three, so every guest has a choice. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
When do you arrive?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
What about pudding?
We can add a dessert. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
How soon do we need to book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so it pays to ask early.
What does tapas catering cost?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in its own pan.
How we price tapas catering
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- How many guests are eating
- Waiting and bar staff
- Travel, parking and access
There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
Details that help
To check availability and price, we need:
- Where the event is
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The date and time of the event
- A photo of the space, if you can
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, use our quote form.
Tapas for events in Preston
Preston is about 7 miles south-west of Whitstable, in Kent. We cater events at gardens, halls and venues around Preston and nearby villages. Preston is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. Our events stretch from Preston to Canterbury (8 miles away).
Historic houses near Preston include Belmont House and Gardens (3.3 miles south-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. Parks such as Oare Meadow have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
This part of Kent takes in ME13, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. That could mean an event in a garden on Back Lane, Quay Lane and Park Road. You’ll find Preston on the A2 and A251, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. If your venue is just outside Preston, we also cover Faversham (1 mile north-west), The Brents (1 mile north), Davington (1 mile north-west), Ospringe (1 mile west) and Whitehill (1 mile south-west). Larger places within reach include Ashford (12 miles south), Canterbury (8 miles east), Sittingbourne (7 miles west), Whitstable (7 miles north-east), Herne Bay (11 miles east) and Minster (8 miles north-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Newnham Castle (4.3 miles south-west).
- Nearby schools include Ethelbert Road Primary School (less than half a mile west)
- Local pubs include The Elephant pub (under half a mile west)
Perfect for your event in Preston
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
Here are some of the events we cook for around Preston:
- Office parties and launches
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Tapas before paella
- Evening sharing boards
Guests travelling by rail: Preston has its own station, Faversham station.
Questions to ask before booking
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- When final numbers are due
- The deposit and payment dates
- What the caterer needs from your venue
What’s in the pans
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette served in wedges or squares.
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic.
How the day works
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Your guests are welcome to watch while it cooks. Evening receptions in Preston stay light until about 8:45pm in late May and 9:15pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
Before we arrive
- Give us a contact for the day
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Get a quote
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, plus any dietary needs, and we’ll reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. To get started, send us your details through 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