Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Blackwater, Hampshire
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Blackwater and across Hampshire.
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Office parties and launches
- Tapas and paella menus
Tapas catering in Blackwater
How our tapas catering works in Blackwater
The best spreads mix hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. Popular choices include padrón peppers, albóndigas and Manchego with membrillo, and typical bookings are for engagement drinks and work receptions.
Tapas make a party in Blackwater easy and sociable. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
What affects the price in Blackwater
We will give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- Your choice of paellas
- How many staff you need
- Guest numbers
- How many courses
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
What to tell us
When you contact us, it helps to tell us:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- The venue or postcode
- The date and time of the event
- Which courses you have in mind
Planning tapas catering in Blackwater? Send us the details and we’ll come back with ideas and a quote. Just fill in our quote form.
Why choose tapas catering in Blackwater?
One spread covers many tastes and diets.
In Blackwater and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Some of the most common are:
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Cocktail parties
- Launches and office parties
- Drinks reception canapés
After a ceremony at a church such as St Barnabas Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Questions to ask before booking
- Space, access and power needs
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- A clear list of what’s included
- When payment is due
Live paella or other catering?
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas work brilliantly. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Why us?
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Fast service from the pan
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
See Our pricing Or The cost guide.
Blackwater: venues and local tips
Blackwater is about 1 mile south of Sandhurst, in Hampshire. We cater events at homes, gardens and venues in Blackwater and nearby villages. Blackwater is one of 683 places in Hampshire we cover. Our nearest city page is Guildford, about 11 miles away.
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Blackwater station, about 0.6 miles east. Historic buildings near Blackwater frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
We cover events in every part of GU17. Local streets include London Road, Bell Lane and Ash Close; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Nearby, we also cater events in Frogmore (1 mile west), Hawley (1 mile south-east), College Town (1 mile north-east), Sandhurst (1 mile north) and York Town (1 mile east). Further out, we also cater in Basingstoke (14 miles west), Farnborough (3 miles south), Fleet (5 miles south-west), Aldershot (6 miles south), Alton (15 miles south-west) and Tadley (15 miles west).
A little further out are Frimley Park Hospital (2.4 miles south-east) and Staff College Museum (1.9 miles east). Not far away are Horseshoe Lake and Ball Hill.
- Schools near Blackwater include Frogmore Community College (0.8 miles west)
- Local pubs include Mr Bumble pub (0.6 miles south-east)
- Other local spots include Royal Military Academy Library (1.2 miles north-east)
Space, weather and the venue
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but a few things matter:
- Parking near the venue
- Venue approval for outside catering
- A spot for our serving station
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before booking.
What we offer
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
Blackwater: your questions answered
Which station should guests use for Blackwater?
The closest is Blackwater station, roughly 0.6 miles away.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Barnabas Church?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking generally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Do you do starters?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas first, paella to follow.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
Is the paella gluten-free?
Yes, on request. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
When do you arrive?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, we do. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in a separate pan.
Working with your venue
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Hosting a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Dietary needs and planning tips
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Add sangria or cava
Canapés circulate with drinks.
Spanish desserts to finish.
What’s in the pans
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic.
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
How it works
We get there well before serving, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Guests usually gather round to watch while it cooks. Sunset in Blackwater is around 9:25pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Getting ready for the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Give us a contact for the day
Get a quote
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
More for events in Blackwater
- 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