Kent · England
Tapas Catering in Upchurch
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Upchurch and the surrounding area.
- Engagement drinks
- Launches and office parties
- Evening grazing
Tapas catering for Upchurch events
Who books tapas catering in Upchurch?
They suit standing receptions where a full meal does not fit.
These are some of the occasions we cater in Upchurch and Kent:
- Anniversary parties
- Cocktail parties
- Office parties and launches
- Table tapas as a starter
Historic buildings near Upchurch often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue.
Comparing caterers
- The deposit and payment dates
- If the price includes VAT
- The deadline for final numbers
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
Tapas catering in Upchurch, cooked live
Tapas pair naturally with a live paella, served while the paella cooks, but they work on their own too. We are often asked to cater welcome-drink canapés and sharing tapas starters, serving albóndigas, patatas bravas and Serrano ham.
Near Upchurch, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it’s hot and generous, and service is quick once it’s ready.
Where we can cook in Upchurch
We’ll be honest if a space won’t work. What matters most:
- Parking near the venue
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
Popular choices
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
Catering for every guest
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because every paella has its own pan. A few tips:
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Label seafood clearly
- Include staff for canapés
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Spanish desserts to finish.
How we price tapas catering
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Timings and hours
- How many guests are eating
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
Details that help
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Where the event is
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Expected numbers
It is easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will send a clear, itemised quote.
How it works
Here’s how the day typically runs: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and we serve straight from the pan when you’re ready to eat. Sunset in Upchurch is around 9:15pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Before we arrive
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Have a level space ready for the pans
How to get a price
Send us the date, your venue or ME9 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Receptions and parties in Upchurch
Upchurch is about 3 miles east of Gillingham, in Kent. Whether your event is in the middle of Upchurch or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Upchurch is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent we cover. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 20 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Mary the Virgin, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. A picnic in Berengrave Chalk Pit? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering. Upchurch is within about 8 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Tapas catering in ME9 and ME8 is planned around your venue and your guests. Your event could be at a home on The Street, Crosier Court and Horsham Lane or the roads around them. If your venue is just outside Upchurch, we also cover Lower Halstow (1 mile east), Breach (1 mile south), Moor Street (1 mile south-west), Lower Rainham (1 mile west) and Newington (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cater in Maidstone (9 miles south-west), Sittingbourne (4 miles south-east), Gravesend (12 miles west), Faversham (11 miles east), Northfleet (14 miles west) and Minster (7 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Medway Maritime Hospital (4.5 miles west) and Bayford Court (4.8 miles south-east). The countryside around Upchurch includes Bishop Saltings.
- Local schools include Leigh Academy Rainham (1.4 miles south-west)
A closer look at the menu
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce, frequently with alioli.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Working with your venue
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Questions from Upchurch
Can you cook at venues in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Which station should guests use for Upchurch?
Rainham (Kent) station, about 1.6 miles south-west of the centre.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three is usual: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We will help you decide the split.
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, including Upchurch.
How much paella per person?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Do you do starters?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, served while the paella cooks.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities around your timings and courses. Tell us more and we’ll advise.
Towns and villages near Upchurch
More for events in Upchurch
- 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