Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Empshott, Hampshire
Paella for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Empshott.
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Work receptions
- Evening grazing
Tapas catering in Empshott
Planning for every diet
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Collect dietary needs
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
Afterwards, we clear away.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Tapas catering in Empshott, made fresh on the day
Tapas are sharing food, made for conversation. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. Typical bookings include welcome-drink canapés and office parties and launches, serving Serrano ham, padrón peppers and gambas al ajillo.
In a rural spot like Empshott, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
Places near Empshott
More for events in Empshott
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. A caterer handles all of that.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
The process
Watching it cook is half the fun. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook while your guests chat. Evening receptions in Empshott stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- 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.
Getting ready for the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Share the running order, including any speeches
Getting a price
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, use our quote form.
Related guides
Live paella or other catering?
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Why us?
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Events in Empshott and across Hampshire
Read How we price And Our guide to catering costs.
Where we can cook in Empshott
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Space for a serving table or station
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Menu ideas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
Planning a tapas spread in Empshott
Empshott is about 5 miles north of Petersfield, in Hampshire. Across the GU33 area, we can bring the pans to you. Empshott is one of 683 places in Hampshire where we cook. Our nearest city page is Guildford, about 19 miles away.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Liss station, about 2.7 miles south-east. Historic buildings near Empshott frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. The South Downs National Park is within about 6 miles of Empshott, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Tapas catering in GU33 is planned around your venue and your guests. Whether your event is on Mill Lane and Church Lane or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. We also cook at events in Lower Green (1 mile south-west), Hawkley (2 miles south), Selborne (2 miles north-west), Newton Valence (2 miles west) and Oakshott (2 miles south-west). Further out, we also cater in Basingstoke (15 miles north-west), Havant (15 miles south), Fleet (14 miles north), Horndean (12 miles south), Aldershot (14 miles north-east) and Alton (5 miles north-west).
A little further out are Chase Community Hospital (3.3 miles north-east) and The Romany Museum (1.5 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Liss Riverside Railway Walk North and Selborne Hill.
About the dishes
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette served in wedges or squares.
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
How we price tapas catering
We will give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- Travel, parking and access
- Guest numbers
- How many staff you need
- Your choice of paellas
Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
What we need to know
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- Expected numbers
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- The venue or postcode
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
To get a price, fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will put together a menu and price.
Questions from Empshott
Do you come out to small places like Empshott?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Can you cook at venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will follow the site rules.
Do you come to Empshott?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Empshott and across Hampshire. Send us your date to check availability.
Can you supply plates?
If you need them, yes. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables can be added to your booking.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
Yes, on request. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Sangria and bar staff can be added.
What happens if it rains?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three covers most guests. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
Working with your venue
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
Organising a club, school or community event in Empshott? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
- 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