Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Puddledock, Kent
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Puddledock and the surrounding area.
- Tapas before paella
- Evening sharing boards
- Engagement parties
Planning an event in Puddledock?
How our tapas catering works in Puddledock
The best spreads mix hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. Whether it’s table tapas as a starter and evening grazing, we can cook Serrano ham, patatas bravas and croquetas and more.
For a country party near Puddledock, tapas and sangria set the mood. You will know exactly what’s included before booking: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose.
Diets, allergies and planning
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Check diets in advance
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Book staff to carry canapés round
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Questions from Puddledock
Do you cater in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will follow the site rules.
Which station should guests use for Puddledock?
The closest is Swanley station, roughly 1.8 miles away.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, on request. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables are available.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes. We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook on the day, serving it hot from the pan.
Who clears up?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
How much is live paella catering?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we will send a quote.
Are the tapas fresh?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue.
What if the weather’s bad?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We’ll make a plan B with you.
Where we can cook in Puddledock
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We need:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- A spot for our serving station
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
Popular choices
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
Dishes our guests love
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil with a little chilli.
Drinks receptions around Puddledock
Puddledock is about 1 mile north of Swanley, in Kent. For tapas catering in Puddledock, we plan around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. We cover 922 places across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for London, about 13 miles away.
Guests travelling by rail: Swanley station is about 1.8 miles away. Nearby historic houses include Hall Place and Gardens (2.2 miles north) and Red House (3.3 miles north-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Puddledock, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Here we cover the DA2 and BR8 postcode area, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. If your venue is just outside Puddledock, we also cover Hextable (1 mile south-east), Stonehill Green (1 mile south-west), Joyden's Wood (1 mile north), Wilmington (1 mile north-east) and Swanley Village (1 mile south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Dartford (3 miles north-east), Sevenoaks (9 miles south), Gravesend (9 miles east), Northfleet (7 miles east), Kings Hill (14 miles south-east) and Swanscombe (5 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include West Hill Hospital (2.5 miles north-east) and Eynsford Castle (3.6 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Wansunt Pit and Summer Hill.
- Nearby schools include Hextable School (0.7 miles south)
- Local pubs include The Ship pub (under half a mile south-east)
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
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.
Prices and what affects them
These are the factors that matter most:
- The length of service
- Travel, parking and access
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Whether you need crockery
Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We will send you a quote.
Getting an accurate quote
When you contact us, it helps to tell us:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The address or venue name
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will make suggestions. Start when you are ready: use our quote form.
Nearby places to Puddledock
What else we do in Puddledock
Working with your venue
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
If you are planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we’ll work directly with you and the venue. It saves passing messages back and forth.
How it works
It is a relaxed, well-organised set-up. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up the pans and burners, and get on with cooking and serving. At midsummer, it’s light in Puddledock until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:50pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Give us your final numbers and diets
How to get a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we’re available that day.
Read more
Why choose live paella in Puddledock?
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
What you get with us
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Events in Puddledock and across Kent
Take a look at Our pricing Or The cost guide.
- 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