Kent · England
Tapas Catering for Stanford events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Stanford: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Sharing tapas starters
- Birthday drinks
- Cocktail parties
Live tapas catering in Stanford
Stanford: your questions answered
Is Stanford 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.
Can you cook in Sandling Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, generally the council. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
How far ahead should we book?
The sooner the better. Popular dates book up first, so it pays to ask early.
Can you provide dessert?
We do. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
Can you serve drinks?
Yes, sangria. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, where your guests can watch.
What space do you need to cook?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
How long does the paella take?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
How our tapas catering works in Stanford
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. Canapés go round while guests mingle, or table tapas go out to share. Whether it’s anniversary parties and engagement parties, we can cook padrón peppers, patatas bravas and albóndigas.
Near Stanford, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Timings are planned around your event, so the paella is ready when you want to eat.
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free.
Should I cook it myself?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Who books tapas catering in Stanford?
They work for any size of event.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Engagement parties
- Drinks reception canapés
Guests travelling by rail: Stanford has its own station, Westenhanger station.
What to look for in a quote
- Staff numbers and hours
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- The deadline for final numbers
- Allergen information for each dish
Receptions and parties in Stanford
Stanford is about 3 miles north-west of Hythe, in Kent. For an event in Stanford, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices in and around Stanford. Stanford is one of 922 places in Kent we cover. We cook right across the region, from Stanford to Canterbury (12 miles away).
Historic buildings near Stanford often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. Historic houses near Stanford include Westenhanger Castle (0.6 miles south-west) and Acrise Place (4.8 miles north-east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 5 miles of Stanford, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 3 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Anywhere in TN25, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. From Stone Street and Kennett Lane or a nearby road, we’ll bring the pans to you. Close by, we cover events in Postling (1 mile north-east), Sellindge (2 miles west), Moorstock (2 miles north-west), Skeete (2 miles north-east) and Woodland (2 miles north-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Ashford (8 miles west), Canterbury (12 miles north), Dover (12 miles east), Folkestone (6 miles east), Hythe (3 miles south-east) and Tower Hamlets (11 miles east).
Other landmarks nearby include Hythe Museum (2.9 miles south-east) and Royal Victoria Hospital (5.8 miles east). The countryside around Stanford includes Hatch Park and Tolsford Hill.
What tapas catering costs
Your quote will be clear and itemised. What affects it most:
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Distance and access to the venue
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Timings and hours
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Details that help
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but these help:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The date and rough timings
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Which courses you have in mind
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we’re available that day.
Diets, allergies and planning
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. A few tips:
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Waiting staff for canapés.
Step by step
Service is quick: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so even a long queue moves. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. A summer drinks reception in Stanford has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:00pm, and in December by about 3:50pm.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
How to prepare
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
Ask for a quote
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Paella compared with other options
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Why us?
- Catering across Kent, including Stanford
- Drinks service on request
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- A quote that spells everything out
Take a look at How we price And Our guide to catering costs.
For planners, venues and organisers
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
Other catering in Stanford
- 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