Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Hardley, Hampshire
Something for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Hardley.
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Engagement drinks
- Sharing boards for evening guests
Tapas catering near Hardley
Why choose tapas catering in Hardley?
They make a perfect starter before paella.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Tapas and paella menus
- Office parties and launches
- Engagement drinks
- Welcome-drink canapés
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Netley station, about 3.3 miles north-east.
Comparing caterers
- Staff numbers and hours
- Space, access and power needs
- How each diet is kept separate
- The wet-weather plan
Tapas catering for your event in Hardley
Tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties, office events and weddings. Typical bookings include sharing boards for evening guests and engagement celebrations, serving gambas al ajillo, tortilla española and albóndigas.
Near Hardley, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, never made in advance and reheated.
Also near Hardley
Other catering in Hardley
Drinks receptions around Hardley
Hardley is about 2 miles south of Hythe, in Hampshire. For tapas catering in Hardley, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. We cover all 683 towns and villages in Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages.
Historic buildings near Hardley often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St Anne. The New Forest National Park is within about 4 miles of Hardley, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 4 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
For tapas catering in SO45, we plan around your venue and your guests. Local streets include Harrier Way, Harrier Green and Falconer Court; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Other places close to Hardley for tapas catering include Little Holbury (1 mile south), Holbury (1 mile south), Frostlane (1 mile north), Roughdown (1 mile south) and Blackfield (2 miles south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Gosport (11 miles east), Eastleigh (9 miles north), Fareham (9 miles east), Totton (7 miles north-west), Chandler's Ford (10 miles north) and Hedge End (7 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Royal South Hants Hospital (5.1 miles north) and Beaulieu Abbey And Display Of Monastic Life (2.9 miles west). The countryside around Hardley includes Mercury Marshes.
- Local schools include Manor Church of England Infant School (within half a mile south)
Dishes our guests love
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite when made carefully.
What tapas catering costs
The price comes down to a few factors:
- How many courses
- The number of people
- How many staff you need
- How long we’re needed on site
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What we need to know
For a quote, it helps to have:
- The courses you’d like
- Anything your venue supplies
- Where the event is
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can use our quote form.
Hardley questions
What about events near the coast?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
Can you cook at venues in the New Forest National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will work to whatever the site needs.
How many different paellas?
Two or three is usual: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We’ll suggest a split based on your guests.
Do you cook inside?
Generally we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we’ll check with you and the venue.
How long do you need on site?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria can be added, and we can staff a bar with your drinks.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
How far ahead should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Space, weather and the venue
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Space for a serving table or station
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
Menu ideas
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and handles separate pans for each diet.
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.
Paella compared with other options
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel special. The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why Hardley hosts choose us
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Events in Hardley and across Hampshire
Take a look at Our pricing And The cost guide.
What happens on the day
It is a relaxed, well-organised set-up. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up our cooking area, and get on with cooking and serving. A summer drinks reception in Hardley has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Tell us where to park and unload
Ask for a quote
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
Working with your venue
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
- 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