Medway · England
Tapas Catering for Rochester events
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Rochester and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Sharing tapas starters
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Work receptions
Planning an event in Rochester?
FAQs for Rochester
Could we have live paella in Broomhill Park?
Only if the landowner, usually the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
Is Rochester close to London?
Roughly 27 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Sangria, yes, plus bar staff for your own drinks.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Many tapas are naturally vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers. We label each dish.
How much is live paella catering?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers and we’ll reply with a price.
Are the tapas fresh?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and meat eaters often go back for seconds. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Yes, tapas work on their own, for receptions, parties and evening food.
How our tapas catering works in Rochester
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. Whether it’s office parties and launches and tapas starters, we can cook patatas bravas, tortilla española and padrón peppers for your guests.
Tapas work for parties and receptions in Rochester. We need a small area to finish hot tapas. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it’s hot and generous, and a queue moves quickly.
Nearby places to Rochester
More for events in Rochester
Tapas for events in Rochester
Rochester is about 27 miles east of London, in Medway. We cook at events in gardens, halls and venues around Rochester and the surrounding area. We cover all 68 towns and villages in Medway, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 26 miles away.
A picnic in Broomhill Park? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is frequently easier for catering. After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Nicholas, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
For tapas catering in ME2, ME1, ME3 and ME4, we plan around your venue. Your event could be at a home on High Street, Gundolph Square and Station Road. Rochester is on the A2 and A226, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. Nearby, we also cater events in Strood (1 mile west), Borstal (1 mile south-west), Cuxton (2 miles south-west), Lower Bush (3 miles west) and North Halling (3 miles south-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Gillingham (4 miles east), Chatham (3 miles south-east), Rainham (5 miles south-east), Park Wood (5 miles south-east), Lordswood (4 miles south-east) and Twydall (4 miles east). As one of the bigger places in Medway, Rochester has lots of places to hold an event.
Other landmarks nearby include Huguenot Museum (less than half a mile east) and French Hospital (within half a mile south-east). Open spaces near Rochester include Gad's Hill and Rede Common.
- Local schools include Fort Pitt Grammar School (1 mile south-east) and Temple School (1.2 miles north)
- Pubs nearby include Royal Crown Hotel (less than half a mile east)
- Parks and local facilities nearby include City of Rochester-upon-Medway (under half a mile north) and Former Ordnance Store At Chatham Gun Wharf (1.2 miles east)
Before you choose a spot
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Space on each table
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Space to finish hot dishes
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
On the menu in Rochester
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
What affects the price in Rochester
These are the factors that matter most:
- Guest numbers
- Timings and hours
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Getting an accurate quote
These details help us quote quickly:
- What the venue already provides
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- The address or venue name
- Which courses you have in mind
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Should I cook it myself?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Step by step
Your timings come first. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we hold the paella at the right stage so it’s still served fresh. Evening receptions in Rochester stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm 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 arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Before we arrive
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
Get a quote
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, plus any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
For planners, venues and organisers
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, so they fit most plans. The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
What you get with us
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Events in Rochester and across Medway
Take a look at Our prices page And Our guide to catering costs.
Planning for every diet
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Add sangria or cava
- Check diets in advance
Canapés circulate with drinks as guests arrive.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Why choose tapas catering in Rochester?
They’re easy to eat with a drink in hand.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We often cook for:
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Table tapas as a starter
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Evening sharing boards
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Rochester, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
What to look for in a quote
- How late numbers can change
- Staff numbers and hours
- The wet-weather plan
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- 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