Medway · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Rainham, Medway
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Rainham. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, then served hot from the pan.
- Launches and office parties
- Drinks reception canapés
- Engagement drinks
Tapas catering in Rainham
About our tapas catering in Rainham
Tapas pair naturally with a live paella, served while the paella cooks, but they’re great on their own. Typical bookings include engagement parties and tapas with a paella main course, serving Serrano ham, albóndigas and croquetas.
In Rainham, tapas and paella together make a complete menu. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it is hot and generous, and a queue moves quickly.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it is in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
What tapas catering costs
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- Timings and hours
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Parking and unloading
- The number of people
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
What to tell us
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- What the venue already provides
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- The date and time of the event
Planning tapas catering in Rainham? Send us the details and we will come back with ideas and a quote. Just fill in our quote form.
Planning for every diet
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Collect dietary needs
- Book staff to carry canapés round
Afterwards, we clear away.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Towns and villages near Rainham
Other catering in Rainham
Questions from Rainham
How far is Rainham from London?
About 32 miles from central London, and well within our area.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Margaret?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking generally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in its own pan.
Do you cater in Rainham?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Rainham and across Medway. Tell us your date and we will check availability.
What about pudding?
We do. Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana, or you can serve your own cake.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria, yes. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.
How much space do you need?
Not a lot: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a photo.
Do you cook inside?
Normally we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. We will check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Working with your venue
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Throwing a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Before you choose a spot
Every venue is different, so we ask about the space before we confirm. Generally, we look for:
- A spot for our serving station
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- An area to prepare hot tapas
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in Rainham
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
What happens on the day
The cooking is part of the entertainment. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring. Sunset in Rainham is around 9:15pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Preparing for the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
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. To send them, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Dishes our guests love
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside, frequently with ham or mushroom.
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Receptions and parties in Rainham
Rainham is about 2 miles south-east of Gillingham, in Medway. We cater events at gardens, halls and venues around Rainham and nearby villages. Rainham is one of 68 towns and villages in Medway where we cook. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 21 miles away.
Historic buildings near Rainham frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. A picnic in Foxburrow Wood? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering. Rainham is within about 7 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Wherever your event is in ME8 and ME9, we can cook for your guests. From Durham Road, London Road and Bloors Lane or anywhere nearby, we will bring the pans to you. If your venue is just outside Rainham, we also cover Meresborough (1 mile south), Moor Street (1 mile east), Lower Rainham (1 mile north), Hartlip (2 miles south-east) and Lower Hartlip (2 miles south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Chatham (3 miles west), Rochester (5 miles north-west), Strood (6 miles west), Luton (3 miles west), Lordswood (3 miles south-west) and Hoo St Werburgh (5 miles north-west). Being one of Medway’s larger places, Rainham has lots of places to hold an event.
Other landmarks nearby include Medway Maritime Hospital (3.2 miles north-west) and Pentagon Shopping Centre (3.9 miles north-west). Not far away are Detling Hill and Bishop Saltings.
- Schools near Rainham include Howard School (0.7 miles west) and Howard School (0.7 miles west)
- Nearby, you will find The Railway pub (0.5 miles north)
Why choose live paella in Rainham?
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why choose Love Paella in Rainham
- Fast service from the pan
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
Take a look at Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
- 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