Kent · England
Tapas Catering in Tovil
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Tovil.
- Tapas starters
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Office parties and launches
Tapas catering in Tovil
Tapas catering for your event in Tovil
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. We are frequently asked to cater engagement drinks and anniversary parties, serving albóndigas, gambas al ajillo and Manchego with membrillo.
In Tovil, tapas work at home or in a local hall. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
What happens on the day
We get there well before serving, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Guests generally gather round to watch as the paella takes shape. Evening receptions in Tovil stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:15pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
How to prepare
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
Ask for a quote
Planning tapas catering in Tovil? Send us the details and we’ll come back with ideas and a quote. To get in touch, use our quote form.
Read more
Planning the cooking area
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- Room for a tapas table
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Venue approval for outside catering
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
Popular choices
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
The menu, dish by dish
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside.
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free.
Planning a tapas spread in Tovil
Tovil is about 1 mile west of Maidstone, in Kent. For tapas catering in Tovil, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices. We cater in 922 places across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Tovil to Canterbury (25 miles away).
Historic houses near Tovil include Stoneacre (3.1 miles east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. After a ceremony at a church such as St Michael and All Angels Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Tovil is within about 6 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, ideal for an outdoor reception.
We cater events across the ME16 and ME15 postcode area and the streets around it. We can cater an event on streets such as Tovil Road, Wharf Road and Bower Lane or the roads around them. Close by, we cover events in Maidstone (1 mile east), Foley Park (2 miles north-east), Penenden Heath (2 miles north-east), Shepway (2 miles south-east) and Ringlestone (2 miles north). Larger places within reach include Sittingbourne (11 miles north-east), Sevenoaks (14 miles west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (14 miles south-west), Gravesend (13 miles north-west), Tonbridge (11 miles south-west) and Northfleet (14 miles north-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Kent Fire Brigade Museum (less than half a mile south-east) and Allington Castle (2 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Boxley Hills and Burham Down.
- Schools near Tovil include Oakwood Park Grammar School (0.6 miles north-west) and St Augustine Academy (0.6 miles north-west)
- Nearby, you will find The White Horse Public House (0.7 miles north)
FAQs for Tovil
Could we have live paella in River Len LNR?
Only if the landowner, usually the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
Which station should guests use for Tovil?
The closest is Maidstone West station, roughly 0.5 miles away.
How do you work out quantities?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Tell us what else is being served. See how much paella per person.
How far ahead should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
Are the tapas served hot?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue so they’re served at their best.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Absolutely.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and meat eaters frequently go back for seconds. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
What about pudding?
We can add a dessert. Let us know if you’d like one in your enquiry.
Also near Tovil
Also in Tovil
Organising for someone else?
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Hosting a party at home? Send us a photo of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
How we price tapas catering
Your quote will be clear and itemised. The main things that affect it are:
- How many staff you need
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Your choice of paellas
- How long we are needed on site
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
What to tell us
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- A picture of the space, if you can
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Where the event is
Not sure what you need yet? That’s fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. To start, fill in our quote form.
Paella compared with other options
Standard canapés can feel samey. Tapas bring something different. Larger events normally cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Why choose Love Paella in Tovil
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- A quote that spells everything out
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Occasions we cook for in Tovil
Tapas are sociable food, because everyone shares.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in Tovil and nearby. Popular bookings include:
- Evening sharing boards
- Office parties and launches
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Engagement drinks
A picnic in River Len LNR? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is frequently easier for catering.
What to look for in a quote
- Payment terms and deposit
- How late numbers can change
- What happens if it rains
- What the price includes, item by item
- 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