Southampton · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Chilworth, Southampton
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Chilworth and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Engagement drinks
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Cocktail parties
Tapas catering in Chilworth
Tapas for events in Chilworth
Chilworth is about 2 miles south-west of Chandler's Ford, in Southampton. Wherever your event is in the SO16 area, we can cook for your guests. Chilworth is one of 40 towns and villages in Southampton where we cook.
Parks such as Lakeside Country Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. Historic houses near Chilworth include South Stoneham House (2 miles south-east) and Southampton Tudor House and Garden (4 miles south). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. With the sea within about 5 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
For tapas catering in SO16, we plan around your venue and timings. Local streets include Heatherlands Road, Roman Road and Pinelands Road; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Close by, we cover events in Chilworth Old Village (1 mile north-west), Bassett (1 mile south), Lordswood (1 mile south-west), Highfield (2 miles south) and North Baddesley (2 miles north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Southampton (3 miles south), Shirley (3 miles south), Regents Park (3 miles south-west), Townhill Park (3 miles south-east), Midanbury (3 miles south-east) and Thornhill (4 miles south-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Eastleigh Museum (2.5 miles east) and Marlands Shopping Centre (3.6 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Flexford Nature Reserve.
- Nearby schools include Saint George Catholic Voluntary Aided College Southampton (1.4 miles south-east)
Tapas catering in Chilworth, cooked live
We can add sangria and bar staff, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. For engagement celebrations and office parties and launches, we’ll put together a menu of patatas bravas, padrón peppers and tortilla española for your guests.
In a rural spot like Chilworth, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. You will know exactly what’s included before booking: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
- Location
- Chilworth (SO16)
- Area hub
- Southampton
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Before you choose a spot
Before the day, we will agree where we cook. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- A spot for our serving station
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
Menu ideas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Tortilla española
Live paella or other catering?
Tapas are flexible, which makes them easy to plan around. 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.
What you get with us
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Events in Chilworth and across Southampton
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
Read How we price Or The cost guide.
Planners, venues and businesses
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Organising a club, school or community event in Chilworth? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
Should I cook it myself?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
FAQs for Chilworth
Is Chilworth close to London?
About 68 miles from central London.
Do you come out to small places like Chilworth?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
What areas do you cover?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Chilworth.
Is the paella gluten-free?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we take the right care.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three is usual: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We’ll suggest a split based on your guests.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Lots. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
Do you do starters?
Of course. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, while the rice is cooking.
Can you serve drinks?
Sangria, yes. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.
Nearby places to Chilworth
More for events in Chilworth
Step by step
The cooking is part of the entertainment. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook. Evening receptions in Chilworth stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Tell 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.
Before we arrive
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Name one person we can ask on the day
Getting a price
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, along with any dietary needs, and we will reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
What’s in the pans
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
Catering for every guest
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Book staff to carry canapés round
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Serving boards and crockery.
Perfect for your event in Chilworth
They’re the classic starter before paella.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Engagement celebrations
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Guests travelling by rail: Swaythling station is about 1.9 miles away.
What to look for in a quote
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Whether VAT is included
- Payment terms and deposit
- What the price includes, item by item
- 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