Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Rabbit's Cross, Kent
Planning tapas catering in Rabbit's Cross? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Tapas starters
- Welcome-drink canapés
Tapas catering in Rabbit's Cross
Tapas catering in Rabbit's Cross, made fresh on the day
We can add sangria and bar staff, for a complete drinks and tapas package. Whether it is welcome-drink canapés and tapas with a paella main course, we can cook patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Serrano ham for your guests.
For a country party near Rabbit's Cross, tapas and sangria set the mood. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, never made in advance and reheated, and served as soon as it’s ready.
What’s in the pans
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside.
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it is in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. 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.
Space, weather and the venue
If a space isn’t suitable, we’ll tell you. The main points are:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Space for a serving table or station
- Parking near the venue
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before you book.
Popular choices
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
What tapas catering costs
Every event is priced individually, and the price depends on a few things:
- The number of people
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Parking and unloading
- The length of service
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Details that help
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Try to include:
- Expected numbers
- The date and rough timings
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Diets and allergies you know about
Send us the date, your venue or ME17 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and you’ll get a menu idea and a price. To get started, use our quote form.
Planners, venues and businesses
Organising a club, school or community event in Rabbit's Cross? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we will suggest a menu.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we’ll talk you through the process. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Paella compared with other options
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. We itemise everything in your quote.
What you get with us
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Drinks service on request
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
See Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Rabbit's Cross: venues and local tips
Rabbit's Cross is about 5 miles south of Maidstone, in Kent. Tell us where your event in Rabbit's Cross will be, and we will plan the journey and set-up. We cater in 922 places in Kent. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 24 miles away.
If you are looking at a historic venue around Rabbit's Cross, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Nearby historic houses include Stoneacre (3.9 miles north) and Leeds Castle (4.8 miles north-east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Rabbit's Cross is within about 6 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
This part of Kent takes in ME17. Other places close to Rabbit's Cross for tapas catering include Cross-at-Hand (1 mile south), Devil's Den (1 mile east), Underling Green (2 miles west), Farthing Green (2 miles east) and St Ann's Green (2 miles south-west). Further out, we also cater in Maidstone (5 miles north), Ashford (14 miles east), Sittingbourne (13 miles north-east), Royal Tunbridge Wells (13 miles west), Tonbridge (12 miles west) and Kings Hill (8 miles north-west).
A little further out are South East Romany Museum (2.4 miles south-west) and Oakwood Hospital (5.7 miles north-west).
Catering for every guest
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
Each dish is labelled.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Step by step
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Guests typically gather round to watch as the paella takes shape. A summer drinks reception in Rabbit's Cross has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:00pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:50pm, are better indoors.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Share the running order, including any speeches
How to get a price
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Common questions in Rabbit's Cross
Can you cook at venues 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.
Is Rabbit's Cross too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
What happens if it rains?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We will agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes. Children often love a simple chicken paella. Include children in your numbers.
What do you need at the venue?
Less than you might think: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. Send us a photo if you are not sure.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, while the rice is cooking.
Can we add drinks?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you are providing the drinks.
How soon do we need to book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
Towns and villages near Rabbit's Cross
More for events in Rabbit's Cross
- 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