Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Colden Common, Hampshire
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Colden Common and Hampshire, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Anniversary parties
- Engagement celebrations
- Tapas before paella
Live tapas catering in Colden Common
Tapas catering in Colden Common, made fresh on the day
Tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties, office events and weddings. We are frequently asked to cater tapas before paella and sharing boards for evening guests, serving croquetas, Manchego with membrillo and gambas al ajillo.
Around Colden Common, tapas suit garden parties and village-hall celebrations. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, with each paella cooked in its own pan and clearly labelled.
Colden Common: your questions answered
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of the Holy Trinity?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Which station should guests use for Colden Common?
Shawford station, about 1.9 miles north of the centre.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Yes. Tapas can be booked without paella.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Sangria and bar staff can be added.
Do you cover Colden Common?
We do. Colden Common is one of the places we cover. Tell us your date and we will check availability.
Can you bring crockery?
We can. Let us know what you have, and we will quote for the rest.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
When do you arrive?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. The cost per head usually falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why choose Love Paella in Colden Common
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- We cover Colden Common and the whole of Hampshire
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
Take a look at Our prices page Or The cost guide.
What happens on the day
Serving is fast: we serve straight from the pan, so even a long queue moves. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. Sunset in Colden Common is around 9:25pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
Ask for a quote
Not sure what you need yet? That’s fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. To start, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
What tapas catering costs
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- Distance and access to the venue
- The length of service
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
What to tell us
For a quote, it helps to have:
- The date and rough timings
- Which courses you have in mind
- The venue or postcode
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
It is easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will come back with a clear quote.
Space, weather and the venue
Before the day, we will agree where we cook. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Space for a serving table or station
- Parking near the venue
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before you book.
On the menu in Colden Common
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
Dietary needs and planning tips
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Add sangria or cava
- Check diets in advance
- Label seafood clearly
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Waiting staff for canapés.
Drinks receptions around Colden Common
Colden Common is about 2 miles north-east of Eastleigh, in Hampshire. For an event in Colden Common, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. Colden Common is one of 683 places in Hampshire where we cook. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 6 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Shawford station is about 1.9 miles away. If you’re looking at a historic venue around Colden Common, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Tapas catering in SO21 and SO50 is planned around your venue. Streets in the area include St Vigor Way, Ash Close and Birch Close, and we can cook for an event on any of them. If your venue is just outside Colden Common, we also cover Brambridge (1 mile south-west), Nob's Crook (1 mile south-east), Lord's Wood (1 mile south-west), Highbridge (1 mile south-west) and Fisher's Pond (1 mile south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Winchester (4 miles north), Gosport (15 miles south-east), Fareham (11 miles south-east), Horndean (15 miles south-east), Totton (10 miles south-west) and Chandler's Ford (3 miles west).
Well-known places in the area include Wolvesey Castle (4.4 miles north) and Eastleigh Museum (2.4 miles south-west). Not far away are Shawford Down and Twyford Down.
- Local schools include Thornden School (2 miles west)
Places near Colden Common
What else we do in Colden Common
Working with your venue
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Why choose tapas catering in Colden Common?
They make a perfect starter before paella.
Big or small, live paella works well. Common bookings include:
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas before paella
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Evening sharing boards
Historic houses near Colden Common include South Stoneham House (4.8 miles south-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
Before you book anyone
- What the price includes, item by item
- Whether travel is included
- How late numbers can change
- VAT, if it applies
- 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