Kent · England
Tapas Catering in Ulcombe
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 Ulcombe.
- Launches and office parties
- Evening sharing boards
- Table tapas as a starter
Tapas catering near Ulcombe
Tapas catering for your event in Ulcombe
Sangria and bar staff can be added, for a complete drinks and tapas package. We cook Serrano ham, albóndigas and padrón peppers, and typical bookings are for tapas with a paella main course and birthday drinks.
In a rural spot like Ulcombe, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, not reheated, and served as soon as it’s ready.
Ulcombe questions
Do you cater in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will follow the site rules.
Do you come out to small places like Ulcombe?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Do you take everything away?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Do you come to Ulcombe?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Ulcombe and across Kent. Send us your date to check availability.
What do you need at the venue?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Let us know if you’d like one in your enquiry.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and meat eaters often go back for seconds. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
The menu, dish by dish
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Perfect for your event in Ulcombe
Big or small, tapas work.
Here are some of the events we cook for around Ulcombe:
- Evening sharing boards
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas starters
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like All Saints Church.
What to look for in a quote
- Whether travel is included
- A clear list of what’s included
- The deposit and payment dates
- The venue requirements
Diets, allergies and planning
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Check diets in advance
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Tell us what role tapas play
Table tapas are set down to share.
Staff to serve canapés.
Paella compared with other options
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas are hard to beat. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
What you get with us
- Fast service from the pan
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
What we need at the venue
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- Permission from the venue
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Room for a tapas table
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
On the menu in Ulcombe
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
How the day works
When the rice goes in, it’s left alone. That is how the grains cook evenly and the toasted base, the socarrat, forms. The smell usually draws people over. Evening receptions in Ulcombe stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:15pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Let us know the timings for the day
Getting a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you’re ready, use our quote form.
Planning help
For event organisers in Ulcombe
Many venues have rules for 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.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Ulcombe: venues and local tips
Ulcombe is about 6 miles south-east of Maidstone, in Kent. Tell us where your event in Ulcombe will be, and we will plan access and set-up. We cover all 922 towns and villages across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 19 miles away.
Guests travelling by rail: Harrietsham station is about 2.5 miles away. Historic buildings near Ulcombe often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 4 miles of Ulcombe, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cover events in every part of the ME17 postcode area and the streets around it. Local streets include The Street and Chapmans Place; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Fairbourne Heath (1 mile north-east), Eastwood (1 mile south-east), Kingswood (1 mile north-west), Chartway Street (1 mile north-west) and Broadstone (1 mile south-east). Further out, we also cater in Maidstone (6 miles north-west), Ashford (11 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (10 miles north-east), Faversham (13 miles north-east), Kings Hill (11 miles west) and Davington (13 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Sutton Valence Castle (2 miles west) and The Dog Collar Museum (2.3 miles north).
- Nearby, you’ll find The Harrow Public House (within half a mile south)
Towns and villages near Ulcombe
Other catering in Ulcombe
Prices and what affects them
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Whether you need crockery
- Timings and hours
- Guest numbers
- Starters, canapés and desserts
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
What we need to know
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- The address or venue name
- Expected numbers
- Anything your venue supplies
- The date and rough timings
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, plus any dietary needs, and we’ll reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. To get started, fill in our quote form.
- 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