Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering in Fleet
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Fleet: paella cooked from scratch in huge pans, in full view of your guests.
- Office parties and launches
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Cocktail parties
Live tapas catering in Fleet
Tapas catering in Fleet, made fresh on the day
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. Whether it’s tapas with a paella main course and anniversary parties, we’ll put together a menu of Serrano ham, gambas al ajillo and tortilla española for your guests.
In Fleet, tapas and paella together make a complete menu. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, with each paella cooked in its own pan and clearly labelled.
What we need at the venue
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think before booking.
What we offer
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
Step by step
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. At midsummer, it is light in Fleet until about 9:25pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
Before we arrive
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Ask for a quote
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
The menu, dish by dish
Tortilla española
Potato omelette served in wedges or squares.
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Diets, allergies and planning
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Include staff for canapés
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Collect dietary needs
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Events we cater in Fleet
Big or small, tapas work.
Here are some of the events we cook for in Fleet and Hampshire:
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Tapas starters
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Tapas before paella
Historic houses near Fleet include Farnham Castle (4.1 miles south). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
Before you book anyone
- How long the team stays
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- If the price includes VAT
- Travel and parking costs
Why choose live paella in Fleet?
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. Larger events typically cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Why Fleet hosts choose us
- Drinks service on request
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
Take a look at Our pricing Or The cost guide.
Fleet: venues and local tips
Fleet is about 13 miles south-east of Reading, in Hampshire. For tapas catering in Fleet, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices. Fleet is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire we cover. We cook right across the region, from Fleet to Guildford (12 miles away).
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Fleet, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. After a ceremony at a church such as Fleet Methodist Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
We cover events in every part of GU51, GU52 and GU10 and the streets around it. Streets in the area include Church Road, Durnsford Avenue and Hankins Court, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Fleet sits on or near the A323 and A3013, which makes travel to your event easy. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Church Crookham (1 mile south-east), Crookham Village (1 mile west), Elvetham Heath (1 mile north-west), Dogmersfield (2 miles west) and Elvetham (2 miles north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Basingstoke (11 miles west), Farnborough (3 miles north-east), Aldershot (4 miles south-east), Alton (10 miles south-west), Yateley (4 miles north) and Tadley (14 miles north-west). Being one of Hampshire’s larger places, Fleet has lots of places to hold an event.
Other landmarks nearby include Royal Army Dental Corps Historical Museum (3.9 miles east) and Fleet Community Hospital (1 mile north-west). Not far away are Fleet Pond Nature Reserve and Hitches Hill.
- Local schools include Court Moor School (less than half a mile south-west) and School (0.5 miles north)
- Pubs nearby include The Prince of Wales pub (within half a mile south-west)
DIY paella versus live catering
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book 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.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Places near Fleet
Other catering in Fleet
Fleet questions
Can you cook in Oakley Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
Which station should guests use for Fleet?
Fleet station, about 1.2 miles north of the centre.
Can you cook indoors?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Courtyards, doorways and terraces frequently work.
Can we add drinks?
Sangria and bar staff can be added.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
What about pudding?
We do. Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana, or you can serve your own cake.
What if the weather’s bad?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We will talk it through before the day.
Can you cater for children?
Of course. Children frequently love a simple chicken paella. Include children in your numbers.
What affects the price in Fleet
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, depending on:
- Your choice of paellas
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- How many guests are eating
- Whether you need crockery
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Getting an accurate quote
To speed things up, tell us:
- Expected numbers
- Your date and when you want to eat
- The venue or postcode
- The courses you’d like
To get a price, fill in our quote form. Tell us about your event in Fleet, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.
- 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