Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Elson, Hampshire
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Elson.
- Table tapas as a starter
- Work receptions
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Planning an event in Elson?
About our tapas catering in Elson
Receptions, parties, office events and weddings all suit tapas in and around Elson. We’re often asked to cater work receptions and drinks reception canapés, with albóndigas, Manchego with membrillo and padrón peppers.
Around Elson, tapas suit garden parties and village-hall celebrations. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
How it works
Once the rice is in, we don’t stir it. That is what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. Your guests will smell it before they see it. Sunset in Elson is around 9:20pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Give us a contact for the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
Ask for a quote
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, use our quote form.
Read more
Before you choose a spot
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We look for:
- Space for a serving table or station
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
What we offer
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
A closer look at the menu
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside.
Occasions we cook for in Elson
Tapas are sociable food, because everyone shares.
In Elson and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Some of the most common are:
- Engagement parties
- Birthday drinks
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Work receptions
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Portsmouth Harbour station, about 2.1 miles south-east.
Comparing caterers
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- Payment terms and deposit
- VAT, if it applies
- A clear list of what’s included
Diets, allergies and planning
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Check diets in advance
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Label seafood clearly
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Bar staff and sangria.
Places near Elson
Other catering in Elson
Organising for someone else?
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll talk you through the process. We are happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Elson questions
Can you cook near the sea around Elson?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
What’s the nearest station to Elson for guests?
The closest is Portsmouth Harbour station, roughly 2.1 miles away.
When should we book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so it pays to ask early.
Do you cater for young children?
Of course. A simple chicken paella is normally popular with children. Tell us how many are coming.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three is usual: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We’ll suggest a split based on your guests.
Where do you cater?
We cover London and the South East, Hampshire included. Find your area.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Sangria and bar staff can be added.
How do you work out quantities?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
Tapas for events in Elson
Elson is about 1 mile north of Gosport, in Hampshire. From the centre of Elson to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cater in 683 places across Hampshire. We cook right across the region, from Elson to Southampton (13 miles away).
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Thomas. Historic buildings near Elson often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. With the sea within about 4 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Wherever your event is in PO12 and PO13, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Your event could be at a home on Ham Lane, Quay Lane and Avery Lane. Elson sits on or near the A32, which makes travel to your event easy. Other places close to Elson for tapas catering include Gosport (1 mile south), Forton (1 mile south), Bridgemary (1 mile north-west), Priddy's Hard (1 mile south-east) and Rowner (1 mile north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Havant (8 miles north-east), Eastleigh (14 miles north-west), Fareham (3 miles north-west), Horndean (9 miles north-east), Hedge End (10 miles north-west) and Waterlooville (7 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Search (1.6 miles south-east) and Portchester Castle (2.2 miles north-east). Open spaces near Elson include West of the River Alver and Portsdown Hill.
- Schools near Elson include Brune Park Community School (0.5 miles south-west) and St Vincent College (1.1 miles south-east)
- Pubs nearby include The Kings Head pub (0.5 miles south-west)
What tapas catering costs
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Your choice of paellas
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Guest numbers
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Getting an accurate quote
These details help us quote quickly:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Roughly how many adults and children
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll make suggestions. To start, fill in our quote form.
- 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