Kent · England
Tapas Catering for Whitstable events
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 makes the food a highlight of your event in Whitstable.
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Engagement celebrations
- Sharing boards for evening guests
Tapas catering for Whitstable events
Perfect for your event in Whitstable
They make a perfect starter before paella.
If you are planning any of these, we can help:
- Tapas starters
- Evening sharing boards
- Tapas and paella menus
- Launches and office parties
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St John (Methodist).
Before booking anyone
- VAT, if it applies
- When final numbers are due
- How bad weather is handled
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
About our tapas catering in Whitstable
Tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties, office events and weddings. For office parties and launches and tapas before paella, we’ll put together a menu of patatas bravas, tortilla española and Serrano ham.
In Whitstable, tapas and paella together make a complete menu. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
For food that gets people mingling, tapas are hard to beat. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We will send you a quote.
What you get with us
- Drinks service on request
- A quote that spells everything out
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Events in Whitstable and across Kent
Read How we price Or The cost guide.
Towns and villages near Whitstable
Other catering in Whitstable
How the day works
Watching it cook is half the fun. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring while your guests chat. A summer drinks reception in Whitstable has daylight until about 9:15pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:00pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:50pm, 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.
- We clear away at the end.
Before we arrive
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
Get a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Related guides
Catering for every guest
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Label seafood clearly
Afterwards, we clear away.
Add a live paella main.
Should I cook it myself?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
Dishes our guests love
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, often with alioli.
Where we can cook in Whitstable
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- A spot for our serving station
- Venue approval for outside catering
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before booking.
Menu ideas
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
Questions from Whitstable
Can you cook near the sea around Whitstable?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Is Whitstable close to London?
About 50 miles from central London, and well within our area.
Do you provide serving staff?
We can provide staff. Canapés need staff to carry them round.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. We arrive with everything we need and cook on the day, serving it hot from the pan.
What happens if it rains?
We need a covered spot, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We’ll agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, because we use gas burners. Some venues have suitable spaces; we’ll check with you and the venue.
How much paella per person?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Do you have vegetarian tapas?
Lots. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
Whitstable: venues and local tips
Whitstable is about 6 miles north-west of Canterbury, in Kent. Give us the address of your event in Whitstable, and we will plan access and set-up before the day. Whitstable is one of 922 places in Kent we cover. We cook right across the region, from Whitstable to Canterbury (6 miles away).
Guests travelling by rail: Whitstable station is in Whitstable itself. Historic buildings near Whitstable frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. With the sea within about a mile, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Tapas catering in CT5 is planned around your venue and timings. Your event could be at a home on High Street, Station Road and Cranleigh Gardens or the roads around them. Being close to the A299 and A2990, Whitstable is simple for us to get to for your event. If your venue is just outside Whitstable, we also cover Tankerton (1 mile north-east), Chestfield (1 mile east), Swalecliffe (2 miles east), Radfall (2 miles south-east) and Yorkletts (2 miles south-west). Further out, we also cater in Canterbury (6 miles south-east), Margate (15 miles east), Sittingbourne (13 miles west), Faversham (7 miles west), Herne Bay (5 miles east) and Minster (11 miles north-west).
A little further out are Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital (1 mile north-east) and Tankerton Castle (0.8 miles north). Open spaces near Whitstable include West Blean and Thornden Woods.
- Schools near Whitstable include Whitstable Junior School (under half a mile north-west)
- Pubs nearby include Whitstable Social Club pub (less than half a mile north-west)
How we price tapas catering
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Parking and unloading
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- How many guests are eating
- How many courses
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Getting an accurate quote
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The venue or postcode
To get a price, use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Whitstable, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.
- 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