Kent · England
Tapas Catering for Scragged Oak events
Planning tapas catering in Scragged Oak? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Tapas before paella
- Launches and office parties
- Drinks parties and receptions
Tapas catering for Scragged Oak events
How the day works
When the rice goes in, it’s left alone. That’s what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. Your guests will smell it before they see it. Sunset in Scragged Oak is around 9:15pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
Get a quote
Planning tapas catering in Scragged Oak? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. To get in touch, use our quote form.
Related guides
Tapas catering in Scragged Oak, cooked live
Sangria and bar staff can be added, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. Popular choices include Serrano ham, padrón peppers and gambas al ajillo, and we’re often booked for evening grazing and work receptions.
Near Scragged Oak, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. We serve straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and service is quick once it is ready.
Diets, allergies and planning
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Check diets in advance
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
Tapas go out to the tables at the start of the meal.
Waiting staff for canapés.
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside.
DIY paella versus live catering
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
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.
Scragged Oak: venues and local tips
Scragged Oak is about 3 miles south-east of Chatham, in Kent. Wherever your event is in the ME14 area, we can bring the pans to you. Scragged Oak is one of 922 places in Kent we cover. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 21 miles away.
Historic buildings near Scragged Oak frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Peter, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 5 miles of Scragged Oak, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cater events across ME14 and the streets around it. Other places close to Scragged Oak for tapas catering include Lower Cox Street (1 mile south-east), Kemsley Street (1 mile north), Bredhurst (1 mile north-west), Dunn Street (1 mile north-west) and Lidsing (1 mile north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (5 miles south-west), Sittingbourne (6 miles east), Gravesend (12 miles north-west), Faversham (13 miles east), Northfleet (13 miles north-west) and Minster (11 miles north-east).
Nearby you will also find Allington Castle (3.8 miles south-west) and KIMS hospital (2.8 miles south-west). The countryside around Scragged Oak includes Detling Hill and Burham Down.
Places near Scragged Oak
Also in Scragged Oak
Working with your venue
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
Planning the cooking area
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Room for a tapas table
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
What we offer
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
Scragged Oak: your questions answered
Do you come out to small places like Scragged Oak?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Which station should guests use for Scragged Oak?
Bearsted station, about 3.2 miles south of the centre.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
Should we have more than one paella?
Most events have two or three: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We will help you decide the split.
How much paella per person?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
How much tapas do we need?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Tell us more for a suggestion.
Is halal food available?
We can. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and we will cook a separate pan.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
What affects the price in Scragged Oak
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Whether you need crockery
- Timings and hours
- How many courses
- Travel, parking and access
The cost per head normally falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Details that help
For a quote, it helps to have:
- The date and rough timings
- Diets and allergies you know about
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Why choose live paella in Scragged Oak?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we will suggest a menu.
Why book with us
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Fast service from the pan
Read Our prices page And The cost guide.
- 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