Kent · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Shottenden, Kent
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Shottenden and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Engagement parties
Planning an event in Shottenden?
How our tapas catering works in Shottenden
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. Whether it’s work receptions and engagement drinks, we can cook tortilla española, Manchego with membrillo and padrón peppers for your guests.
In a rural spot like Shottenden, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it’s hot and generous, and a queue moves quickly.
Planning a tapas spread in Shottenden
Shottenden is about 5 miles south of Faversham, in Kent. For tapas catering in Shottenden, we plan around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cook in all 922 towns and villages in Kent. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 7 miles away.
Historic buildings near Shottenden often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Selling station, about 2 miles north. Shottenden is within about 5 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Here we cover the CT4 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. That could mean an event in a garden on Shottenden Road, Goldups Lane and Beaney's Lane or the roads around them. We also cook at events in Perrywood (1 mile north), Selling (1 mile north), Hogben's Hill (2 miles north), Molash (2 miles south-west) and Mountain Street (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cater in Ashford (8 miles south), Canterbury (7 miles east), Sittingbourne (10 miles north-west), Whitstable (8 miles north-east), Faversham (5 miles north) and Herne Bay (12 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Tower keep castle at Chilham (1.6 miles east).
For event organisers in Shottenden
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
What tapas catering costs
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- Timings and hours
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Travel, parking and access
- Waiting and bar staff
Got a budget? Let us know, and we will put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Details that help
These details help us quote quickly:
- A picture of the space, if you can
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The courses you’d like
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we will suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: send us your details through our quote form.
Questions from Shottenden
Is Shottenden close to London?
Roughly 47 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Which station should guests use for Shottenden?
The closest is Selling station, roughly 2 miles away.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
How many tapas per person?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Give us the details and we will advise.
How far ahead should we book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so it pays to ask early.
Do you come to Shottenden?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Shottenden and across Kent. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
How much space do you need?
Not a lot: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a photo.
Can you do sangria?
We can make sangria, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
Why choose live paella in Shottenden?
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas are hard to beat. Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We will send you a quote.
Why us?
- Catering across Kent, including Shottenden
- Sangria and bar staff available
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Fast service from the pan
Read Our prices page And The cost guide.
Planning the cooking area
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Space for a serving table or station
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
Menu ideas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
How the day works
The cooking is part of the entertainment. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook. At midsummer, it is light in Shottenden until about 9:15pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:00pm, and in December by about 3:50pm.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We pack down when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Give us a contact for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
How to get a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Read more
A closer look at the menu
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free.
Planning for every diet
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Label seafood clearly
- Collect dietary needs
Afterwards, we clear away.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Towns and villages near Shottenden
What else we do in Shottenden
Should I cook it myself?
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.
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.
- 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