Kent · England
Tapas Catering in West Cross
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in West Cross and the surrounding area.
- Evening sharing boards
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Launches and office parties
Book tapas catering in West Cross
Tapas catering in West Cross, cooked live
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, as a starter while the rice cooks, but they work on their own too. Typical bookings include receptions and drinks parties and tapas and paella menus, serving gambas al ajillo, patatas bravas and Manchego with membrillo.
For a country party near West Cross, tapas and sangria set the mood. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
How it works
Here’s how the day generally runs: we arrive, set up and start cooking, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and it’s served hot from the pan when you’re ready to eat. A summer drinks reception in West Cross has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:00pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- 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
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Give us a contact for the day
Get a quote
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in West Cross? Send us the details and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. To contact us, send us your details through our quote form.
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West Cross questions
How far is West Cross from London?
About 43 miles from central London.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Parish Church of St Mary?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria, yes. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
How soon do we need to book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so contact us early.
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.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, on request. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables are available.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and meat eaters often go back for seconds. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
What we need at the venue
We’ll agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Permission from the venue
- A spot for our serving station
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
What we offer
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
A closer look at the menu
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite.
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Live paella or other catering?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel special. Live paella pricing depends on the event. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
What you get with us
- A clear, itemised quote
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- We cover West Cross and the whole of Kent
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
Take a look at How we price And What paella catering costs.
Planning a tapas spread in West Cross
West Cross is about 12 miles south-west of Ashford, in Kent. Events in West Cross are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. West Cross is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 25 miles away.
Historic houses near West Cross include Smallhythe Place (3.7 miles east) and Great Dixter (4.1 miles south). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Historic buildings near West Cross often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. The High Weald National Landscape is within about 5 miles of West Cross, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Anywhere in TN17, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Close by, we cover events in Rolvenden (1 mile east), Rolvenden Layne (1 mile south-east), Strood (1 mile east), East End (2 miles north) and Parkgate (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cater in Maidstone (15 miles north), Ashford (12 miles north-east), Paddock Wood (13 miles north-west), Tenterden (3 miles east), Bearsted (15 miles north) and Park Wood (13 miles north).
Nearby you will also find Benenden Hospital (2.2 miles north) and Sissinghurst Castle (4.5 miles north).
- Local pubs include Bull Hotel (0.5 miles east)
How we price tapas catering
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- How many guests are eating
- Waiting and bar staff
- Timings and hours
Got a budget? Let us know, and we’ll suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Getting an accurate quote
To speed things up, tell us:
- Where the event is
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Roughly how many adults and children
- What the venue already provides
The quickest way to a quote is to use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll put together a menu and price.
Diets, allergies and planning
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Label seafood clearly
- Collect dietary needs
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Add sangria or cava
Tapas go out to the tables at the start of the meal.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
Other catering in West Cross
Events we cater in West Cross
They’re ideal when a full meal does not fit.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In West Cross, people book us for occasions like:
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Evening grazing
- Birthday drinks
- Engagement parties
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Parish Church of St Mary.
Before you book anyone
- Space, access and power needs
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- How long the team stays
- The deposit and payment dates
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
- 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