Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Ashley, Hampshire
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Ashley. We cook from scratch on site, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Sharing tapas starters
- Tapas and paella menus
- Engagement celebrations
Planning an event in Ashley?
Why live cooking beats a buffet
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why book with us
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- A quote that spells everything out
See Our prices page And The cost guide.
Tapas catering in Ashley, cooked live
Tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties, office events and weddings. We’re often asked to cater receptions and drinks parties and sharing tapas starters, serving gambas al ajillo, Manchego with membrillo and patatas bravas.
For a country party near Ashley, tapas and sangria set the mood. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, not reheated, and served the moment it’s ready.
Ashley: venues and local tips
Ashley is about 6 miles north of Romsey, in Hampshire. Wherever your event is in the SO20 area, we can bring the pans to you. Ashley is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire where we cook. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 11 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Mottisfont & Dunbridge station is about 5 miles away. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St Mary's Church.
Tapas catering in SO20 is planned around your venue. Close by, we cover events in Little Somborne (1 mile north), Up Somborne (1 mile north-east), King's Somborne (1 mile west), Lower Slackstead (3 miles south) and Braishfield (4 miles south). Larger places within reach include Winchester (6 miles east), Eastleigh (9 miles south-east), Andover (9 miles north), Totton (11 miles south), Chandler's Ford (7 miles south-east) and Hedge End (13 miles south-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Royal Hampshire County Hospital (5.4 miles east).
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
What we need at the venue
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Space for a serving table or station
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think before you book.
Popular choices
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
Nearby places to Ashley
Also in Ashley
Questions from Ashley
We’re having a ceremony at St Mary's Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Is Ashley close to London?
About 66 miles from central London.
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.
How much does tapas catering cost in Ashley?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in a separate pan.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Yes. Tapas and canapés can be booked on their own.
What space do you need to cook?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
Are the tapas served hot?
We finish hot dishes on site; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
How we price tapas catering
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- The number of people
- Starters, canapés and desserts
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
What we need to know
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- The venue or postcode
- A picture of where we’d cook
- The date and time of the event
To get a price, use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Ashley, and we will put together a menu and price.
How the day works
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you can enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first while the paella cooks. A summer drinks reception in Ashley has daylight until about 9:25pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- 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 clear our equipment afterwards.
Before we arrive
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Name one person we can ask on the day
Getting a price
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we will suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Planning for every diet
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Check diets in advance
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Canapés need staff to serve
Tapas go out to the tables.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Why choose tapas catering in Ashley?
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
In Ashley and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Popular bookings include:
- Tapas and paella menus
- Launches and office parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Table tapas as a starter
Nearby historic houses include Mottisfont Abbey (4.3 miles south-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
Questions to ask before booking
- Payment terms and deposit
- How each diet is kept separate
- A clear list of what’s included
- How bad weather is handled
The menu, dish by dish
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns with a little chilli.
- 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