Kent · England
Tapas Catering in Small Hythe
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella turns food into part of your event in Small Hythe.
- Birthday drinks
- Engagement parties
- Receptions and drinks parties
Tapas catering in Small Hythe
Where we can cook in Small Hythe
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Space on each table
- A spot for our serving station
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
What we offer
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
Tapas catering in Small Hythe, made fresh on the day
We’ll recommend a tapas selection for your event, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. For sharing tapas starters and welcome-drink canapés, we can cook albóndigas, patatas bravas and croquetas.
In a rural spot like Small Hythe, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
Each dish is labelled.
Serving boards and crockery.
Events we cater in Small Hythe
One spread covers many tastes and diets.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We regularly cater:
- Tapas starters
- Engagement celebrations
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Sharing boards for evening guests
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St John the Baptist, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Before booking anyone
- Space, access and power needs
- Travel and parking costs
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- How long the team stays
Prices and what affects them
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- The number of people
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Whether you need crockery
- Distance and access to the venue
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What we need to know
To speed things up, tell us:
- The address or venue name
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Which courses you have in mind
Send us the date, your venue or TN30 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and we’ll reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just fill in our quote form.
DIY paella versus live catering
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
The process
Once the rice is in, we don’t stir it. That is how the grains cook evenly and the toasted base, the socarrat, forms. Your guests will smell it before they see it. A summer drinks reception in Small Hythe has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, 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.
Before we arrive
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Tell us when you want to eat
Get a quote
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. To start, use our quote form.
Related guides
For planners, venues and organisers
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.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Live paella or other catering?
Tapas are flexible, which makes them easy to plan around. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so it helps to tell us about your venue. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Why book with us
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
Read Our prices page And What paella catering costs.
Nearby places to Small Hythe
Also in Small Hythe
Small Hythe: venues and local tips
Small Hythe is about 10 miles south-west of Ashford, in Kent. Across the TN30 area, we can bring the pans to you. Small Hythe is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 23 miles away.
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Small Hythe, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Historic houses near Small Hythe include Smallhythe Place (within half a mile south). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
Wherever your event is in TN30, we can bring tapas catering to you. Other places close to Small Hythe for tapas catering include Broad Tenterden (1 mile north), Tenterden (2 miles north), Strood (2 miles north-west), Rolvenden Layne (3 miles west) and Rolvenden (3 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Ashford (10 miles north-east), Park Wood (15 miles north-west), Kennington (12 miles north-east), New Romney (11 miles east), Staplehurst (11 miles north-west) and Stanhope (9 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Benenden Hospital (4.8 miles north-west) and Smallhythe Place (less than half a mile south). Green spaces nearby include Flatropers Wood.
Questions from Small Hythe
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St John the Baptist?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Is Small Hythe too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Do you cater in Small Hythe?
Yes, we do. Small Hythe is one of the places we cover. Send us your date to check availability.
Do you have vegetarian tapas?
Plenty are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers. We label each dish.
Can you cater for children?
Children are welcome. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we will plan for them.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
If you need them, yes. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables are available.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, and it’s a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Do you provide serving staff?
Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to serve.
- 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