Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering for Harbridge events
Planning tapas catering in Harbridge? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Evening sharing boards
- Cocktail parties
Planning an event in Harbridge?
Tapas catering in Harbridge, cooked live
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 is work receptions and tapas with a paella main course, we will put together a menu of patatas bravas, albóndigas and gambas al ajillo for your guests.
Near Harbridge, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. 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’ll do the cooking.
Where we can cook in Harbridge
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Room for a tapas table
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before you book.
What we offer
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
Common questions in Harbridge
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of All Saints?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Is Harbridge too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
How long do you need on site?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance so the paella is ready when you want it.
How much space do you need?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
Is halal food available?
Yes, on request. Let us know your halal numbers, and it is cooked separately.
Can you bring crockery?
If you need them, yes. Proper crockery or quality disposables are available.
Can you serve drinks?
We can make sangria, and we can staff a bar with your drinks.
Who clears up?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free.
How we price tapas catering
We’ll give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- The paellas you choose
- How long we are needed on site
- How many guests are eating
- Travel, parking and access
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
Details that help
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- The date and time of the event
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The venue or postcode
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll come back with a clear quote.
Is live paella right for your event?
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas are hard to beat. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Why book with us
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Live cooking, not reheated food
Tapas for events in Harbridge
Harbridge is about 3 miles north of Ringwood, in Hampshire. Tell us where your event in Harbridge will be, and we will plan access and set-up before the day. We cater in 683 places across Hampshire. We cook right across the region, from Harbridge to Southampton (18 miles away).
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Harbridge, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. The New Forest National Park is within about 7 miles of Harbridge, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cater events across BH24. Local streets include Kent Lane and Churchfield Lane; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. If your venue is just outside Harbridge, we also cover Ibsley (1 mile south-east), Mockbeggar (1 mile east), Ellingham (1 mile south), South Gorley (1 mile east) and Rockford (2 miles south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Totton (13 miles east), Lymington (14 miles south-east), Romsey (15 miles north-east), New Milton (11 miles south-east), Ringwood (3 miles south) and Barton on Sea (12 miles south-east).
A little further out are Fordingbridge Doll Museum (2.6 miles north) and St Leonard's Hospital (5.7 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Linbrook Lake and Blashford Lakes.
- Local pubs include The Old Beams Inn (0.5 miles south-east)
Why choose tapas catering in Harbridge?
Tapas are sociable food, because everyone shares.
Whatever the occasion, live paella can be the centrepiece. We often cook for:
- Tapas and paella menus
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Tapas starters
- Evening grazing
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of All Saints, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Questions to ask before you book
- When final numbers are due
- The wet-weather plan
- Whether travel is included
- How each diet is kept separate
Nearby places to Harbridge
Also in Harbridge
How it works
When the rice goes in, it is left alone. That’s what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. Your guests will smell it before they see it. A summer drinks reception in Harbridge has daylight until about 9:25pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:05pm, are better indoors.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Give us a contact for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Share the running order, including any speeches
Get a quote
Planning tapas catering in Harbridge? Send us the details and we’ll come back with ideas and a quote. To contact us, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Organising for someone else?
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
- 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