Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Blacknest, Hampshire
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Blacknest: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Anniversary parties
- Drinks reception canapés
Tapas catering in Blacknest
About our tapas catering in Blacknest
Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. We’re often asked to cater birthday and anniversary parties and cocktail parties, with gambas al ajillo, Serrano ham and albóndigas.
In a rural spot like Blacknest, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
Events we cater in Blacknest
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We regularly cater:
- Engagement parties
- Launches and office parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Tapas with a paella main course
Nearby historic houses include Farnham Castle (4.1 miles north-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
What your quote should include
- Whether VAT is included
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- Whether travel is included
- A clear list of what’s included
Planning the cooking area
Every venue is different, so we’ll ask about yours before we confirm. In general, we need:
- A spot for our serving station
- Space on each table
- Space to finish hot dishes
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
On the menu in Blacknest
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
What happens on the day
It’s a relaxed, well-organised set-up. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up the pans and burners, and get on with cooking and serving. Sunset in Blacknest is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- 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.
Getting ready for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Share the running order, including any speeches
Getting a price
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we will make suggestions. Start when you are ready: fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Planning a tapas spread in Blacknest
Blacknest is about 4 miles south-west of Farnham, in Hampshire. Give us the address of your event in Blacknest, and we will plan access and set-up. Blacknest is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire we cover. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 14 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Bentley (Hampshire) station is about 0.5 miles away. If you’re looking at a historic venue around Blacknest, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 8 miles of Blacknest, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Anywhere in GU34, we can bring tapas catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. If your venue is just outside Blacknest, we also cover Bucks Horn Oak (1 mile east), Isington (1 mile west), Bentley (1 mile north-west), Binsted (1 mile south-west) and Frithend (1 mile south-east). Further out, we also cater in Basingstoke (12 miles north-west), Farnborough (9 miles north-east), Fleet (7 miles north), Aldershot (7 miles north-east), Alton (5 miles west) and Petersfield (12 miles south).
Nearby you will also find Chase Community Hospital (4.7 miles south) and Barley Pound (2.7 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Holybourne Hill and Farnham Heath.
- Nearby, you will find The Jolly Farmer pub (0.5 miles south-east)
FAQs for Blacknest
Do you come out to small places like Blacknest?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
Is Blacknest close to London?
About 40 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Can you do sangria?
We can make sangria, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you are providing the drinks.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
Do you cook inside?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Courtyards, doorways and terraces frequently work.
How much paella per person?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Many tapas are naturally vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers. Each dish is labelled.
What affects the price in Blacknest
The price comes down to a few factors:
- How many courses
- Whether you need crockery
- How long we are needed on site
- Waiting and bar staff
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
What we need to know
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- Anything your venue supplies
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Book staff to carry canapés round
Afterwards, we clear away.
Sangria and bar staff.
Paella compared with other options
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Why Blacknest hosts choose us
- A clear, itemised quote
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Served hot, straight from the pan
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
What’s in the pans
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
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.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Places near Blacknest
What else we do in Blacknest
- 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