Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Cove, Hampshire
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Cove: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Engagement parties
Tapas catering near Cove
How our tapas catering works in Cove
We can add sangria and bar staff, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. Whether it is tapas starters and evening sharing boards, we can cook Serrano ham, patatas bravas and tortilla española.
In Cove, tapas work at home or in a local hall. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
Why choose live paella in Cove?
Standard canapés can feel samey. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Why book with us
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Sangria and bar staff available
- A quote that spells everything out
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
See Our prices page And The cost guide.
How it works
A typical event goes like this: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and it is served hot from the pan at the agreed time. A summer drinks reception in Cove has daylight until about 9:25pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- 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.
Getting ready for the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Let us know the timings for the day
Ask for a quote
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote.
Related guides
What we need at the venue
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
On the menu in Cove
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
Diets, allergies and planning
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Add sangria or cava
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Canapés need staff to serve
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Staff to serve canapés.
Questions from Cove
Could we have live paella in Ancells Farm Park?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St John the Baptist?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
How do you work out quantities?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue so they’re served at their best.
Who clears up?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes, children are easy to cater for. Let us know numbers and ages, and we will plan a pan with them in mind.
Do you supply canapé staff?
Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to carry them round.
Organising for someone else?
Throwing a party at home? Send us a photo of the garden and tell us about access, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
Towns and villages near Cove
Other catering in Cove
Tapas for events in Cove
Cove is about 1 mile west of Farnborough, in Hampshire. Across the GU14 area, we’ll come to your venue or garden. We cover all 683 towns and villages in Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Cove to Guildford (about 10 miles away).
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St John the Baptist. Guests travelling by rail: Fleet station is about 1.7 miles away.
Anywhere in GU14, GU17 and GU51, we can bring tapas catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Streets in the area include Fleet Road, Trunk Road and Limes Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. If your venue is just outside Cove, we also cover Southwood (1 mile south), Farnborough (1 mile east), North Camp (2 miles south-east), Mytchett (3 miles east) and Ash Vale (4 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Basingstoke (13 miles west), Alton (13 miles south-west), Yateley (3 miles north-west), Bordon (13 miles south), Hook (7 miles west) and Popley (13 miles west).
Other landmarks nearby include Royal Army Dental Corps Historical Museum (2.7 miles south-east) and Fleet Community Hospital (2.4 miles west). Open spaces near Cove include Aunt's Pool and Ball Hill.
- Schools near Cove include Cove School (0.7 miles east)
- Other local spots include National Aerospace Library (1.7 miles south-east)
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Why choose tapas catering in Cove?
They work for any size of event.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in Cove and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Work receptions
- Anniversary parties
A picnic in Ancells Farm Park? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering.
What your quote should include
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- What happens if it rains
- What the caterer needs from your venue
Prices and what affects them
The price comes down to a few factors:
- How many staff you need
- Timings and hours
- Guest numbers
- Parking and unloading
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Getting an accurate quote
To speed things up, tell us:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
The quickest way to a quote is to fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will put together a menu and price.
- 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