Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Carter's Clay, Hampshire
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Carter's Clay and across Hampshire.
- Sharing tapas starters
- Engagement celebrations
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Book tapas catering in Carter's Clay
Where we can cook in Carter's Clay
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Permission from the venue
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Space to finish hot dishes
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
Popular choices
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
Tapas catering for your event in Carter's Clay
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they’re served at their best. We are often asked to cater tapas starters and welcome-drink canapés, serving croquetas, gambas al ajillo and Manchego with membrillo.
Near Carter's Clay, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
How we price tapas catering
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- Waiting and bar staff
- The length of service
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- How many guests are eating
Larger events usually cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
Details that help
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Which courses you have in mind
- The venue or postcode
Planning tapas catering in Carter's Clay? Send us the details and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. To contact us, fill in our quote form.
Who books tapas catering in Carter's Clay?
They’re the classic starter before paella.
These are some of the occasions we cater:
- Drinks reception canapés
- Evening grazing
- Birthday drinks
- Engagement parties
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Mottisfont & Dunbridge station, about 1.2 miles north-east.
What your quote should include
- If the price includes VAT
- Who provides the crockery
- Payment terms and deposit
- Allergen information for each dish
Places near Carter's Clay
Other catering in Carter's Clay
Planners, venues and businesses
Hosting a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we will tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Drinks receptions around Carter's Clay
Carter's Clay is about 4 miles north-west of Romsey, in Hampshire. From the centre of Carter's Clay to the outskirts, we offer the same service: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cover all 683 towns and villages in Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 10 miles away.
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Carter's Clay, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Nearby historic houses include Mottisfont Abbey (1.9 miles north-east) and Landford Manor (3.9 miles south-west). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Here we cover the SO51 postcode area, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. That could mean an event in a garden on The Banks and Carter's Clay Road or the roads around them. If your venue is just outside Carter's Clay, we also cover Lockerley (1 mile north-west), Awbridge (1 mile south-east), Dunbridge (1 mile north-east), Kimbridge (2 miles north-east) and Sherfield English (2 miles south-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Winchester (11 miles east), Eastleigh (10 miles east), Andover (14 miles north), Totton (7 miles south), Chandler's Ford (8 miles east) and Hedge End (13 miles south-east).
Well-known places in the area include Romsey Community Hospital (4 miles south-east) and King Johns House (3.4 miles south-east).
- Nearby, you’ll find Kings Arms Public House (0.9 miles north-west)
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Include staff for canapés
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
Tapas go out to the tables.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Step by step
Service is quick: we serve straight from the pan, so even a long queue moves. When service is finished, we pack down. Evening receptions in Carter's Clay stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
How to prepare
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Plan cover in case of rain
Ask for a quote
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Tell us about your event in Carter's Clay, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Read more
The menu, dish by dish
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, frequently with alioli.
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil with a little chilli.
Carter's Clay questions
What’s the nearest station to Carter's Clay for guests?
Mottisfont & Dunbridge station, about 1.2 miles north-east of the centre.
Do you come out to small places like Carter's Clay?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Do you do desserts?
Yes. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices, or you can serve your own cake.
Will there be enough food?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain does not stop us, as long as there is a ventilated cover. We’ll make a plan B with you.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes. We cook vegetarian and vegan paellas in their own pans.
How many paellas should we have?
Typically two or three, so every guest has a choice. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we will suggest the mix.
- 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