Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Rushenden, Kent
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella turns food into part of your event in Rushenden.
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Engagement drinks
- Cocktail parties
Live tapas catering in Rushenden
How our tapas catering works in Rushenden
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. Popular choices include croquetas, gambas al ajillo and tortilla española, and typical bookings are for work receptions and sharing tapas starters.
For a country party near Rushenden, tapas and sangria set the mood. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
DIY paella versus live catering
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
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 for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Planning for every diet
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Check diets in advance
- Include staff for canapés
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
Tapas go out to the tables at the start of the meal.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
Towns and villages near Rushenden
Other catering in Rushenden
Drinks receptions around Rushenden
Rushenden is about 2 miles south-west of Sheerness, in Kent. For tapas catering in Rushenden, we plan around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. Rushenden is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 17 miles away.
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Parish Church of the Holy Trinity. Historic buildings near Rushenden often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
For tapas catering in ME11, we plan around your venue. Streets in the area include Well Road, Manor Road and First Avenue, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Queenborough (1 mile north-east), Halfway Houses (2 miles north-east), Sheerness (2 miles north-east), Blue Town (2 miles north) and Grain (3 miles north). We also cook in nearby towns such as Maidstone (14 miles south-west), Sittingbourne (5 miles south), Whitstable (13 miles east), Faversham (9 miles south-east), Minster (3 miles east) and Davington (9 miles south-east).
Well-known places in the area include Queenborough Guildhall Museum (0.5 miles north) and Castle Rough (3.5 miles south).
- Schools near Rushenden include Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey (2.1 miles east)
- Pubs nearby include Old House at Home (0.5 miles north)
Planners, venues and businesses
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
Rushenden questions
Is Rushenden too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
What’s the nearest station to Rushenden for guests?
Queenborough station, about 0.6 miles north-east of the centre.
Is the paella gluten-free?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we take the right care.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you are providing the drinks.
Can you cook in the rain?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
What do you need at the venue?
Less than you might think: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. Send us a picture if you are not sure.
Do you provide drinks?
Sangria, yes. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
We can. Let us know what you have, and we will quote for the rest.
Step by step
Expect a friendly, organised team. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up our cooking area, and cook and serve without fuss. Evening receptions in Rushenden stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:15pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
How to prepare
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
- Let us know the timings for the day
Ask for a quote
The quickest way to a quote is to use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Rushenden, and we will put together a menu and price.
Planning help
Perfect for your event in Rushenden
Big or small, tapas work.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Anniversary parties
- Evening grazing
- Office parties and launches
- Sharing tapas starters
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Queenborough station, about 0.6 miles north-east.
Comparing caterers
- Who provides the crockery
- Whether VAT is included
- How bad weather is handled
- Travel and parking costs
A closer look at the menu
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite.
What we need at the venue
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Room for a tapas table
- An area to prepare hot tapas
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
On the menu in Rushenden
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
How we price tapas catering
We’ll give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- How many guests are eating
- Distance and access to the venue
- How long we are needed on site
The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Details that help
When you contact us, it helps to tell us:
- The venue or postcode
- Which courses you have in mind
- What the venue already provides
- A picture of where we’d cook
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can fill in our quote form.
- 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