Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering in Bailey's Hard
Paella for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Bailey's Hard.
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Anniversary parties
- Office parties and launches
Planning an event in Bailey's Hard?
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, so they fit most plans. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before booking.
Why book with us
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Fast service from the pan
Read Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
Tapas catering in Bailey's Hard, cooked live
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. For sharing boards for evening guests and engagement parties, we’ll put together a menu of albóndigas, Manchego with membrillo and tortilla española for your guests.
For a country party near Bailey's Hard, tapas and sangria set the mood. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
Also near Bailey's Hard
More for events in Bailey's Hard
Perfect for your event in Bailey's Hard
They’re the classic starter before paella.
Here are some of the events we cook for:
- Office parties and launches
- Tapas and paella menus
- Engagement celebrations
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of the Blessed Virgin and Child.
Questions to ask before booking
- How long the team stays
- Who provides the crockery
- VAT, if it applies
- Payment terms and deposit
Questions from Bailey's Hard
Do you cater in the New Forest National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will follow the site rules.
Is Bailey's Hard too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
How much is live paella catering?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
Do you do desserts?
We do. Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana, or you can serve your own cake.
Do you cover Bailey's Hard?
Yes, we do. Bailey's Hard is one of the places we cover. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes. Children frequently love a simple chicken paella. Include children in your numbers.
How long does the paella take?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, served while the paella cooks.
DIY paella versus live catering
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
How the day works
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you’re free to enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first as the rice is cooking. A summer drinks reception in Bailey's Hard 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.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Give us a contact for the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
Getting a price
Send us the date, your venue or SO42 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and you’ll get a menu idea and a price. Just fill in our quote form.
Read more
For planners, venues and organisers
Events in public spaces, like parks, usually need permission. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will talk you through the process. We are happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Planning a tapas spread in Bailey's Hard
Bailey's Hard is about 4 miles south-west of Hythe, in Hampshire. Events in Bailey's Hard are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. Bailey's Hard is one of 683 places in Hampshire we cover. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 8 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Beaulieu Palace House (0.8 miles north-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. If you are looking at a historic venue around Bailey's Hard, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Bailey's Hard is within about a mile of the New Forest National Park, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cook at events all over the SO42 postcode area and the streets around it. Other places close to Bailey's Hard for tapas catering include The Hummicks (1 mile north-east), Beaulieu (1 mile north-west), East Boldre (1 mile west), Furzey Lodge (2 miles west) and Dibden Purlieu (3 miles north). Further out, we also cater in Gosport (13 miles east), Eastleigh (12 miles north), Fareham (11 miles east), Totton (8 miles north), Chandler's Ford (12 miles north) and Hedge End (9 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Beaulieu Abbey And Display Of Monastic Life (1.1 miles north-west) and Lymington New Forest Hospital (5.4 miles south-west). Not far away are Boldre Foreshore.
- Local pubs include The Montagu Arms (0.7 miles north-west)
How we price tapas catering
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- How long we are needed on site
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Travel, parking and access
- The paellas you choose
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What to tell us
To check availability and price, we need:
- Where the event is
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Your date and when you want to eat
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, send us your details through our quote form.
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil.
Where we can cook in Bailey's Hard
Every venue is different, so we will ask about yours when you get in touch. Generally, we look for:
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- 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