Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering in Chandler's Ford
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Chandler's Ford and Hampshire, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Drinks reception canapés
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Live tapas catering in Chandler's Ford
About the dishes
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Tapas catering in Chandler's Ford, made fresh on the day
We’ll suggest a selection to suit your timings and guests, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. Popular choices include croquetas, gambas al ajillo and albóndigas, and typical bookings are for office parties and launches and tapas before paella.
Tapas work for parties and receptions in Chandler's Ford. We need a small area to finish hot tapas. Timings are planned around your event, so the paella is ready when you want to eat.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Label seafood clearly
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
Table tapas are set down to share.
Staff to serve canapés.
How we price tapas catering
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- How many guests are eating
- Timings and hours
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Waiting and bar staff
The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
Details that help
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but these help:
- What the venue already provides
- The address or venue name
- A picture of the space, if you can
- The courses you’d like
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Questions from Chandler's Ford
How far is Chandler's Ford from London?
About 66 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Boniface?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
How many paellas should we have?
Generally two or three, so every guest has a choice. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
Can you provide dessert?
We do. Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana.
When do you arrive?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
How soon do we need to book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so get in touch early.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Absolutely.
How the day works
When the rice goes in, it is left alone. That’s how the grains cook evenly and the toasted base, the socarrat, forms. Your guests will smell it before they see it. Evening receptions in Chandler's Ford stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
How to get a price
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Related guides
Events we cater in Chandler's Ford
One spread covers many tastes and diets.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Engagement drinks
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Table tapas as a starter
- Anniversary parties
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Chandler's Ford, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
What to look for in a quote
- Space, access and power needs
- Whether travel is included
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- Whether VAT is included
Should I cook it myself?
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it is in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Drinks receptions around Chandler's Ford
Chandler's Ford is about 5 miles north of Southampton, in Hampshire. We cook at events in gardens, halls and venues around Chandler's Ford. We cook in all 683 towns and villages in Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages.
Nearby historic houses include South Stoneham House (3.4 miles south). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. For guests coming by train, Chandlers Ford station is in Chandler's Ford itself. With the sea within about 6 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Anywhere in SO53, SO51 and SO52, we can bring tapas catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Whether your event is on Kerry Close, Prospect Place and Sutherlands Court or a nearby road, we can cook there. Chandler's Ford is on the B3043, so it is easy for us to reach with the van and pans. We also cook at events in Hiltingbury (1 mile north), Boyatt Wood (1 mile east), Allbrook (1 mile east), North Stoneham (2 miles south) and Eastleigh (2 miles south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Winchester (6 miles north-east), Fareham (12 miles south-east), Totton (7 miles south-west), Hedge End (6 miles south-east), Romsey (4 miles west) and Hythe (9 miles south).
Other landmarks nearby include Princess Anne Hospital (4 miles south-west) and Eastleigh Museum (1.9 miles south-east). Open spaces near Chandler's Ford include Flexford Nature Reserve.
- Nearby schools include Toynbee School (0.8 miles south-east) and Thornden School (1.2 miles north-east)
Also near Chandler's Ford
Also in Chandler's Ford
Is live paella right for your event?
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
What you get with us
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Drinks service on request
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
Take a look at Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
For event organisers in Chandler's Ford
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we’ll work directly with you and the venue. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
- 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