Kent · England
Tapas Catering for Woodhatch events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Woodhatch: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests.
- Tapas starters
- Tapas before paella
- Drinks reception canapés
Tapas catering near Woodhatch
Why choose live paella in Woodhatch?
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. There’s 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.
Why book with us
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Events in Woodhatch and across Kent
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
See How we price And Our guide to catering costs.
Tapas catering in Woodhatch, cooked live
We will recommend a tapas selection for your event, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. For office parties and launches and receptions and drinks parties, we can cook gambas al ajillo, patatas bravas and croquetas and more.
In a rural spot like Woodhatch, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated, and served the moment it’s ready.
A closer look at the menu
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside, often with ham or mushroom.
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil with a little chilli.
Planning for every diet
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Label seafood clearly
- Add sangria or cava
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Canapés go round with the drinks as guests arrive.
Spanish desserts to finish.
How the day works
Expect a friendly, organised team. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up the pans and burners, and get on with cooking and serving. Sunset in Woodhatch is around 9:20pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
Preparing for the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
How to get a price
Send us the date, your venue or TN11 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. To get started, fill in our quote form.
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Woodhatch questions
Is Woodhatch close to London?
Roughly 23 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
What’s the nearest station to Woodhatch for guests?
Hildenborough station, about 1.3 miles south-east of the centre.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Yes. Tortilla, bravas and Manchego are popular vegetarian choices.
What do you need at the venue?
Not a lot: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. Send us a picture if you are not sure.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
How many paellas should we have?
Usually two or three, so every guest has a choice. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
Which areas do you serve?
We cater across London and the South East, including Kent. See all areas.
How much paella per person?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Accurate numbers help.
What tapas catering costs
Every event is priced individually, and the price depends on a few things:
- How many guests are eating
- Whether you need crockery
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- How many staff you need
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is often good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We will send you a quote.
What we need to know
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- What the venue already provides
- The venue or postcode
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
Events we cater in Woodhatch
They’re the classic starter before paella.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Engagement celebrations
- Anniversary parties
- Work receptions
- Tapas and paella menus
Guests travelling by rail: Hildenborough station is about 1.3 miles away.
What your quote should include
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- How long the team stays
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- Space, access and power needs
Places near Woodhatch
More for events in Woodhatch
Planning a tapas spread in Woodhatch
Woodhatch is about 4 miles north-west of Tonbridge, in Kent. Give us the address of your event in Woodhatch, and we will plan access and set-up before the day. We cater in all 922 towns and villages in Kent. We cook right across the region, from Woodhatch to London (about 23 miles away).
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Woodhatch, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Historic houses near Woodhatch include Knole House (3 miles north) and Penshurst Place (3.4 miles south). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 8 miles of Woodhatch, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Anywhere in TN11 and TN14, we can bring tapas catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. If your venue is just outside Woodhatch, we also cover Hall's Green (1 mile west), Sevenoaks Weald (1 mile north-west), Charcott (2 miles south-west), Goathurst Common (3 miles north-west) and Ide Hill (3 miles north-west). Further out, we also cater in Maidstone (14 miles east), Dartford (15 miles north), Sevenoaks (4 miles north), Royal Tunbridge Wells (7 miles south-east), Tonbridge (4 miles south-east) and Swanley (12 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include Chiddingstone Castle (3.6 miles south-west) and Sevenoaks Museum (3.4 miles north). The countryside around Woodhatch includes Dryhill Nature Reserve and Barden Lake.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
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 be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
What we need at the venue
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Space to finish hot dishes
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
What we offer
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- 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