Kent · England
Tapas Catering in Reading Street
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 Reading Street.
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Birthday drinks
- Table tapas as a starter
Planning an event in Reading Street?
About our tapas catering in Reading Street
The best spreads mix hot and cold: cold cheese and ham with hot bravas, croquetas and garlic prawns. On the menu are Manchego with membrillo, tortilla española and croquetas, and we’re regularly asked to cater evening grazing and engagement drinks.
Near Reading Street, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
Is live paella right for your event?
Nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. Larger events normally cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why us?
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- A quote that spells everything out
See How we price And Our guide to catering costs.
Should I cook it myself?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
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 will do the cooking.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Include staff for canapés
- Label seafood clearly
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Serving boards and crockery.
The process
Expect a friendly, organised team. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up the pans and burners, and cook and serve without fuss. A summer drinks reception in Reading Street has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:00pm, and in December by about 3:50pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
Getting a price
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll make suggestions. To start, use our quote form.
Related guides
Where we can cook in Reading Street
We will agree the cooking spot with you before the day. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- A spot for our serving station
- Access to unload near the serving area
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
Nearby places to Reading Street
Other catering in Reading Street
Working with your venue
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Tapas for events in Reading Street
Reading Street is about 9 miles south-west of Ashford, in Kent. Events in Reading Street are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cook in all 922 towns and villages across Kent. Our events stretch from Reading Street to Canterbury (22 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Smallhythe Place (1.8 miles west). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Mary, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Anywhere in TN30, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Other places close to Reading Street for tapas catering include Stone Corner (1 mile south-west), Acton (2 miles south-west), Appledore Heath (2 miles east), Leigh Green (2 miles north-west) and Stone in Oxney (2 miles south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Ashford (9 miles north-east), Hythe (15 miles east), Tenterden (3 miles north-west), Kennington (11 miles north-east), New Romney (10 miles south-east) and Staplehurst (12 miles north-west).
A little further out are Smallhythe Place (1.8 miles west). The countryside around Reading Street includes Orlestone Forest.
Reading Street questions
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Mary?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Is Reading Street close to London?
About 48 miles from central London, and well within our area.
What does tapas catering cost?
We quote for each event, so you only pay for what you need. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas for a clear quote.
Do you take everything away?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
How much paella per person?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Can you cater for children?
Yes, children are easy to cater for. Let us know numbers and ages, and we’ll plan for them.
Do you cook inside?
Usually we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, because we use gas burners. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
How far ahead should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Popular dates book up first, so get in touch early.
Prices and what affects them
These are the factors that matter most:
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- The length of service
- How many staff you need
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Getting an accurate quote
These details help us quote quickly:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- The venue or postcode
- Any dietary needs and allergies
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Events we cater in Reading Street
They’re the classic starter before paella.
Here are some of the events we cook for in Reading Street and Kent:
- Sharing tapas starters
- Cocktail parties
- Tapas and paella menus
- Launches and office parties
If you are looking at a historic venue around Reading Street, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Questions to ask before you book
- How late numbers can change
- The deposit and payment dates
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- 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