Kent · England
Tapas Catering for Westenhanger events
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Westenhanger and across Kent.
- Engagement parties
- Tapas before paella
- Sharing tapas starters
Tapas catering for Westenhanger events
Tapas catering in Westenhanger, cooked live
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. Canapés go round while guests mingle, or table tapas go out to share. Typical bookings include tapas with a paella main course and canapés with welcome drinks, serving padrón peppers, albóndigas and patatas bravas.
Near Westenhanger, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, with each paella cooked in its own pan.
Receptions and parties in Westenhanger
Westenhanger is about 2 miles north-west of Hythe, in Kent. Anywhere in CT21, we can bring the pans to you. Westenhanger is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 13 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Westenhanger Castle (within half a mile north-west). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. For guests coming by train, Westenhanger station is in Westenhanger itself. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Westenhanger, ideal for an outdoor reception. With the sea within about 3 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Here we cover the CT21 postcode area, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. Close by, we cover events in Newingreen (1 mile south), Berwick (1 mile south), Pedlinge (1 mile south-east), Lympne (1 mile south-west) and Sandling (1 mile east). Within a short drive, we also cover Ashford (8 miles north-west), Canterbury (13 miles north), Dover (12 miles east), Folkestone (6 miles east), Tower Hamlets (12 miles east) and Hawkinge (6 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Hythe Museum (2.5 miles south-east) and Royal Victoria Hospital (5.8 miles east). Open spaces near Westenhanger include Hatch Park and Tolsford Hill.
- Local schools include Brockhill Park Performing Arts College (1.5 miles south-east)
- Pubs nearby include The Royal Oak Public House (less than half a mile south)
Places near Westenhanger
Other catering in Westenhanger
Planning for every diet
Most events have a mix of diets. To cater well for them:
- Check diets in advance
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Include staff for canapés
Canapés go round with the drinks as guests arrive.
Spanish desserts to finish.
About the dishes
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette served in wedges or squares.
Before you choose a spot
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Access to unload near the serving area
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
Menu ideas
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Live paella or other catering?
For food that gets people mingling, tapas work brilliantly. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so it helps to tell us about your venue. The full price is confirmed before booking.
What you get with us
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Real theatre, not just catering
Westenhanger: your questions answered
Could we have live paella in Sandling Park?
Only if the landowner, normally the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
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’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes, always. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, where your guests can watch.
Do you cater for young children?
Yes. A simple chicken paella is normally popular with children. Tell us how many are coming.
What if the weather’s bad?
We need a covered spot, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We will agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Do you have vegetarian tapas?
Yes. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three covers most guests. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we will suggest the mix.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes. We cook vegetarian and vegan paellas in their own pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
What affects the price in Westenhanger
The price comes down to a few factors:
- The number of people
- Distance and access to the venue
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
What we need to know
These details help us quote quickly:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- The venue or postcode
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll come back with a clear quote.
Step by step
Service is quick: we serve straight from the pan, so large groups are fed quickly. When service is finished, we pack down. Sunset in Westenhanger is around 9:15pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We pack down when service ends.
Preparing for the day
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Leave space around the cooking area
Getting a price
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Occasions we cook for in Westenhanger
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
Here are some of the events we cook for in Westenhanger and Kent:
- Tapas and paella menus
- Engagement celebrations
- Work receptions
- Evening sharing boards
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Westenhanger, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
What your quote should include
- What happens if it rains
- How each diet is kept separate
- How late numbers can change
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- 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