Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Abbotswood, Hampshire
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Abbotswood and Hampshire, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Anniversary parties
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Book tapas catering in Abbotswood
Why choose tapas catering in Abbotswood?
They’re the classic starter before paella.
Whatever you are celebrating in Abbotswood, live paella can be the centrepiece. We regularly cater:
- Engagement celebrations
- Table tapas as a starter
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Work receptions
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St Swithun's Church.
Before booking anyone
- Whether travel is included
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- When final numbers are due
- How bad weather is handled
How our tapas catering works in Abbotswood
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, served while the paella cooks, but they work on their own too. We cook Serrano ham, padrón peppers and albóndigas, and we are regularly asked to cater tapas with a paella main course and birthday and anniversary parties.
In a rural spot like Abbotswood, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We plan the timings around your day, whether that’s speeches, a lunch break or a festival schedule.
Abbotswood: venues and local tips
Abbotswood is about 1 mile north of Romsey, in Hampshire. Anywhere in SO51, we can bring the pans to you. Abbotswood is one of 683 places in Hampshire we cover. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 7 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Mottisfont Abbey (3.2 miles north-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. Guests travelling by rail: Romsey station is about 1.1 miles away.
This part of Hampshire takes in SO51, so your event can be anywhere in it. Whether your event is on Cupernham Lane, Treviglio Close and Battenberg Close or a nearby road, we can cook there. Close by, we cover events in Belbins (1 mile north-west), Braishfield (1 mile north-east), Crampmoor (1 mile east), Gosport (2 miles east) and Lower Slackstead (2 miles north-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Winchester (8 miles north-east), Eastleigh (7 miles south-east), Andover (14 miles north), Totton (6 miles south), Chandler's Ford (5 miles east) and Hedge End (10 miles south-east).
Well-known places in the area include Romsey Community Hospital (1.1 miles south) and King Johns House (1.3 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Emer Bog and Baddesley Common.
- Local schools include The Romsey School (1.2 miles south-west) and The Romsey School (1.2 miles south-west)
- Pubs nearby include The Dog & Crook pub (0.8 miles north-east)
- Other local spots include Romsey Extra (2.1 miles south)
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Abbotswood questions
What’s the nearest station to Abbotswood for guests?
Romsey station, about 1.1 miles south of the centre.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Swithun's Church?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Do you provide serving staff?
Staff make canapés work, and we can provide them.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Yes. Tortilla, bravas and Manchego are popular vegetarian choices.
How much tapas do we need?
We plan quantities around your timings and courses. Tell us more for a suggestion.
Can you cook in the rain?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We’ll talk it through before the day.
Do you take everything away?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes, we do. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in a separate pan.
Also near Abbotswood
Also in Abbotswood
How the day works
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Your guests are welcome to watch while it cooks. At midsummer, it’s light in Abbotswood until about 9:25pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
How to prepare
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Name one person we can ask on the day
How to get a price
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Read more
Is live paella right for your event?
Tapas are flexible, so they fit most plans. 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.
Why choose Love Paella in Abbotswood
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
See Our pricing Or The cost guide.
Working with your venue
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will explain how it works. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
A closer look at the menu
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette served in wedges or squares.
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Planning for every diet
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Add sangria or cava
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Sangria and bar staff.
What we need at the venue
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- Room for a tapas table
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before you book.
Popular choices
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- 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