Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Ashley, Hampshire
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Ashley.
- Engagement drinks
- Launches and office parties
- Tapas starters
Live tapas catering in Ashley
How the day works
Your timings come first. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we adjust the cooking so it’s served at its best. 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 4:05pm, are better indoors.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Before we arrive
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
Get a quote
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll come back with a clear quote.
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Tapas catering for your event in Ashley
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; table tapas suit seated meals. Lots of events do both. For birthday drinks and engagement celebrations, we can cook Manchego with membrillo, albóndigas and tortilla española for your guests.
Tapas make a party in Ashley easy and sociable. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, not reheated, and served the moment it is ready.
Should I cook it myself?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
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.
Occasions we cook for in Ashley
Big or small, tapas work.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in Ashley book us for occasions like:
- Table tapas as a starter
- Office parties and launches
- Anniversary parties
- Evening grazing
Nearby historic houses include Highcliffe Castle (3.5 miles south-west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
What your quote should include
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- How each diet is kept separate
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- The wet-weather plan
Your questions about tapas catering in Ashley
Can you cook near the sea around Ashley?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Which station should guests use for Ashley?
New Milton station, about 0.7 miles south-west of the centre.
Can we add drinks?
Sangria, yes, plus bar staff for your own drinks.
Do you provide drinks?
Yes, sangria. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.
How soon do we need to book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Even if it’s short notice, it’s worth asking.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Courtyards, doorways and terraces frequently work.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.
Do you take everything away?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Where we can cook in Ashley
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Unloading access
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
About the dishes
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce.
Why choose live paella in Ashley?
Generic canapés all look the same. Tapas bring something different. There is 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. Your quote spells it all out.
Why us?
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Fast service from the pan
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
Take a look at Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Ashley: venues and local tips
Ashley is about 4 miles west of Lymington, in Hampshire. Give us the address of your event in Ashley, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up. Ashley is one of 683 places in Hampshire we cover. Our events stretch from Ashley to Southampton (15 miles away).
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is New Milton station, about 0.7 miles south-west. After a ceremony at a church such as St. Peter's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. The New Forest National Park is within about 5 miles of Ashley, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors. The coast is within about 5 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
We cover events in every part of the BH25 and SO41 postcode area and the streets around it. Whether your event is on Franklin Road, Miller Close and Manor Road or a nearby road, we can cook there. Nearby, we also cater events in New Milton (1 mile south-west), Hordle (1 mile east), Bashley (1 mile north-west), Tiptoe (1 mile north-east) and Barton on Sea (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Totton (12 miles north-east), Lymington (4 miles east), Hythe (13 miles north-east), Ringwood (8 miles north-west), Dibden Purlieu (12 miles north-east) and Marchwood (12 miles north-east).
A little further out are Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum (1.4 miles west) and Lymington New Forest Hospital (4.3 miles east). Open spaces near Ashley include Milford on Sea LNR.
- Nearby schools include Ballard School (0.7 miles west) and The Arnewood School (1.1 miles south-west)
- Nearby, you will find The Plough Public House (0.9 miles north)
How we price tapas catering
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Waiting and bar staff
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Starters, canapés and desserts
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
Getting an accurate quote
To speed things up, tell us:
- The address or venue name
- Which courses you have in mind
- Anything your venue supplies
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Tell us about your event in Ashley, and we will put together a menu and price.
Dietary needs and planning tips
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Label seafood clearly
- Ensure dishes are labelled
Canapés circulate with drinks.
Waiting staff for canapés.
Towns and villages near Ashley
More for events in Ashley
- 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