Kent · England
Tapas Catering in Tonbridge
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Tonbridge and the surrounding area.
- Cocktail parties
- Anniversary parties
- Evening grazing
Tapas catering for Tonbridge events
Tapas catering in Tonbridge, made fresh on the day
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. We’re frequently asked to cater birthday drinks and tapas before paella, with Manchego with membrillo, gambas al ajillo and croquetas.
In a town like Tonbridge, tapas suit garden parties, hall parties and receptions. We need a small area to finish hot tapas. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: the menu, the staff and any extras, with no surprises on the day.
What tapas catering costs
These are the factors that matter most:
- Timings and hours
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Waiting and bar staff
- The paellas you choose
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
What we need to know
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Try to include:
- The courses you’d like
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The date and time of the event
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Dishes our guests love
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic and typically vegetarian.
Occasions we cook for in Tonbridge
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
If you are planning any of these, we can help:
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas and paella menus
- Birthday drinks
- Cocktail parties
Historic houses near Tonbridge include Ightham Mote (4.1 miles north) and Penshurst Place (4.4 miles west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Questions to ask before you book
- If the price includes VAT
- What happens if it rains
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
Questions from Tonbridge
Can you cook in Haysden Country Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, typically the council. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
How far is Tonbridge from London?
Roughly 26 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
When do you arrive?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Absolutely.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, it is the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
What areas do you cover?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Do you have vegetarian tapas?
Lots. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
Should we have more than one paella?
Most events have two or three: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We will suggest a split based on your guests.
Catering for every guest
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:
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Include staff for canapés
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
Tapas go out to the tables at the start of the meal.
Serving boards and crockery.
Towns and villages near Tonbridge
Also in Tonbridge
Live paella or other catering?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Why book with us
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- A clear, itemised quote
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
What we need at the venue
No two venues are the same, so we’ll ask about yours when you get in touch. Generally, we look for:
- Unloading access
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before you book.
On the menu in Tonbridge
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
How it works
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, and we agree where that is before the day. A summer drinks reception in Tonbridge has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:00pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Have a level space ready for the pans
Get a quote
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Related guides
Tonbridge: venues and local tips
Tonbridge is about 12 miles south-west of Maidstone, in Kent. Give us the address of your event in Tonbridge, and we will plan access and set-up. We cater in 922 places across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Tonbridge to London (about 26 miles away).
Guests travelling by rail: Tonbridge station is about 0.6 miles away. Parks such as Haysden Country Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
We cover events in every part of the TN9, TN10 and TN11 postcode area. From High Street, Old London Road and London Road or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Main roads around Tonbridge include the A26 and A227, so getting the burners and pans to your event is simple. Close by, we cover events in Lower Haysden (2 miles south-west), Leigh (3 miles west), Bidborough (3 miles south-west), Southborough (3 miles south) and Printstile (3 miles south-west). Further out, we also cater in Maidstone (12 miles north-east), Sevenoaks (7 miles north-west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (4 miles south), Swanley (14 miles north), Kings Hill (7 miles north-east) and Foley Park (12 miles north-east).
Nearby you will also find The Milne Museum (less than half a mile west) and Tonbridge Castle (less than half a mile south-west). Not far away are Tudeley Woods RSPB reserve and Barden Lake.
- Schools near Tonbridge include Hillview School for Girls (0.7 miles south) and Royal Rise Primary School (0.8 miles south)
- Nearby, you’ll find Ivy House Public House (under half a mile west)
Planners, venues and businesses
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Organising a club, school or community event in Tonbridge? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
- 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