Kent · England
Tapas Catering for Shadoxhurst events
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Shadoxhurst and Kent, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Tapas before paella
- Tapas starters
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Tapas catering in Shadoxhurst
How our tapas catering works in Shadoxhurst
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; for seated meals, table tapas. Many events have both. We are frequently asked to cater sharing tapas starters and birthday drinks, with tortilla española, Manchego with membrillo and Serrano ham.
Near Shadoxhurst, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, with each paella cooked in its own pan.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. 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 enjoy the party, let us cook.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Nearby places to Shadoxhurst
Also in Shadoxhurst
Paella compared with other options
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Why book with us
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- A clear, itemised quote
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Served hot, straight from the pan
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
How it works
We work to your timings. If things run behind, we adjust the cooking so it’s still served fresh. At midsummer, it is light in Shadoxhurst until about 9:15pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:00pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:50pm, are better indoors.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Getting ready for the day
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Check the venue allows live cooking
Getting a price
It is easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Read more
Why choose tapas catering in Shadoxhurst?
One spread covers many tastes and diets.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Engagement celebrations
- Evening grazing
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Sharing tapas starters
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Peter and St Paul, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
What to look for in a quote
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- Space, access and power needs
- A clear list of what’s included
- When final numbers are due
Before you choose a spot
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Unloading access
- Space on each table
- Permission from the venue
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
Menu ideas
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
A closer look at the menu
Patatas bravas
Always popular and usually vegetarian.
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside.
Prices and what affects them
We will give you a clear, itemised quote. What affects it most:
- Parking and unloading
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- How long we are needed on site
Got a budget? Let us know, and we will suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
What to tell us
To check availability and price, we need:
- The venue or postcode
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
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, use our quote form.
Tapas for events in Shadoxhurst
Shadoxhurst is about 3 miles south-west of Ashford, in Kent. Tell us where your event in Shadoxhurst will be, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up. We cook in all 922 towns and villages in Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Shadoxhurst to Canterbury (16 miles away).
A picnic in Stone Wood? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is frequently easier for catering. Nearby historic houses include Godinton House (3.7 miles north). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Shadoxhurst is within about 8 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
We cater events across TN26 and the streets around it. From The Street, Park Farm Close and Woodchurch Road or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. We also cook at events in Stubb's Cross (1 mile north-east), Chilmington Green (2 miles north), Kingsnorth (2 miles east), Fleeden (2 miles north) and Stanhope (2 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Ashford (3 miles north-east), Folkestone (15 miles east), Faversham (15 miles north), Hythe (12 miles east), Davington (15 miles north) and Preston (14 miles north).
Nearby you will also find Woodchurch Village Life Museum (2.9 miles south-west) and William Harvey Hospital (4.8 miles north-east). Not far away are Orlestone Forest.
Shadoxhurst questions
We are having a ceremony at Church of St Peter and St Paul: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Do you cater in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will work to whatever the site needs.
What areas do you cover?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Do you do starters?
Yes, and it’s a popular combination. Tapas first, paella to follow.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in a separate pan.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, where your guests can watch.
How much is live paella catering?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Plenty are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers. Each dish is labelled.
Diets, allergies and planning
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To get it right:
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Check diets in advance
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Make sure dishes are labelled
Afterwards, we clear away.
Sangria and bar staff.
- 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