Portsmouth · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Drayton, Portsmouth
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Drayton and the surrounding area.
- Cocktail parties
- Sharing tapas starters
- Work receptions
Book tapas catering in Drayton
Drinks receptions around Drayton
Drayton is about 2 miles south of Purbrook, in Portsmouth. For tapas catering in Drayton, we plan around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. We cook in 19 places in Portsmouth, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 16 miles away.
Historic houses near Drayton include Warblington Castle (3.4 miles east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. Historic buildings near Drayton often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. The coast is within about 5 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Here we cover the PO6 postcode area, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. We can cater an event on streets such as Galt Road, Hirst Road and Court Lane. We also cook at events in Farlington (1 mile east), Widley (1 mile north), Cosham (1 mile west), Wymering (1 mile west) and Hilsea (2 miles south-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Portsmouth (3 miles south-west), Southsea (4 miles south), Milton (4 miles south), Landport (3 miles south-west), Baffins (3 miles south) and Rudmore (3 miles south-west).
Well-known places in the area include Portchester Castle (3.1 miles west) and World War I Remembrance Centre (1 mile south). Not far away are Portsdown Hill and Southmoor Nature Reserve.
- Local schools include Solent Junior School (less than half a mile north-east)
- Pubs nearby include New Inn (within half a mile north-west)
How our tapas catering works in Drayton
For standing receptions, canapés work best; table tapas suit seated meals. Many events have both. Typical bookings include birthday drinks and office parties and launches, with albóndigas, tortilla española and Manchego with membrillo.
In Drayton, tapas work at home or in a local hall. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
- Location
- Drayton (PO6)
- Area hub
- Portsmouth
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Events we cater in Drayton
One spread covers many tastes and diets.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In Drayton, people book us for events such as:
- Engagement celebrations
- Tapas starters
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas before paella
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Cosham station, about 1 mile west.
Before you book anyone
- Whether travel is included
- Staff numbers and hours
- Whether VAT is included
- The wet-weather plan
Live paella or other catering?
Standard canapés can feel samey. Tapas bring something different. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why Drayton hosts choose us
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- No hidden extras in your quote
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Common questions in Drayton
Can you cater a reception after a service at Drayton Methodist Church?
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.
Which station should guests use for Drayton?
Cosham station, about 1 mile west of the centre.
How do you work out quantities?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Tell us more for a suggestion.
Do you come to Drayton?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, and Drayton is within our area. To check your date, send us your details through our quote form.
Can you cook halal paella?
We can. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and we’ll cook a separate pan.
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 serve drinks?
Sangria can be added, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Of course. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans.
Planning the cooking area
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Room for a tapas table
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before booking.
Popular choices
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Tortilla española
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Prices and what affects them
These are the factors that matter most:
- How many staff you need
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- The paellas you choose
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What to tell us
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Where the event is
- The date and rough timings
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
Catering for every guest
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To get it right:
- Include staff for canapés
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Check diets in advance
Afterwards, we clear away.
Sangria and bar staff.
Step by step
When we arrive, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so we time everything to your schedule. A summer drinks reception in Drayton has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- Send 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 pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
Getting a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. When you are ready, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Also in Drayton
What’s in the pans
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic and normally vegetarian.
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat.
- 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