Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Hart Plain, Hampshire
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Hart Plain and nearby, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Tapas before paella
- Evening grazing
- Work receptions
Live tapas catering in Hart Plain
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:
- Permission from the venue
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Unloading access
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before you book.
Menu ideas
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
Tapas catering in Hart Plain, made fresh on the day
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, as a starter while the rice cooks, but they work on their own too. We cook patatas bravas, croquetas and albóndigas, and we are regularly asked to cater tapas starters and engagement parties.
For a party in a place like Hart Plain, a tapas spread is easy and sociable. We serve straight from the pan, so it is hot and generous, and service is quick once it is ready.
A closer look at the menu
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free.
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Who books tapas catering in Hart Plain?
Tapas are sociable food.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In Hart Plain, people book us for occasions like:
- Sharing tapas starters
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas before paella
- Sharing boards for evening guests
Guests travelling by rail: Rowlands Castle station is about 3.1 miles away.
What to look for in a quote
- Staff numbers and hours
- What happens if it rains
- The deadline for final numbers
- Any travel, parking or access charges
Planning a tapas spread in Hart Plain
Hart Plain is about 1 mile north of Waterlooville, in Hampshire. We cater events at homes, gardens and venues in Hart Plain. Hart Plain is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire where we cook. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 16 miles away.
Historic houses near Hart Plain include Warblington Castle (4.5 miles south-east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. If you’re looking at a historic venue around Hart Plain, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Wherever your event is in PO8 and PO7, we can cook for your guests. Whether your event is on Milton Road, King's Road and Eagle Avenue or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Close by, we cover events in Cowplain (1 mile north-east), Waterlooville (1 mile south), Soake (1 mile west), Furzeley Corner (2 miles west) and Purbrook (2 miles south). Further out, we also cater in Gosport (8 miles south-west), Havant (3 miles south-east), Eastleigh (15 miles west), Fareham (8 miles south-west), Hedge End (12 miles west) and Petersfield (9 miles north-east).
Nearby you’ll also find Havant Museum (3.9 miles south-east) and Clanfield Earthwork (4.1 miles north-east). Open spaces near Hart Plain include Southmoor Nature Reserve and Windmill Hill.
- Schools near Hart Plain include The Cowplain School (within half a mile south-east)
Also near Hart Plain
Also in Hart Plain
Diets, allergies and planning
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Collect dietary needs
- Ensure dishes are labelled
Canapés go round with the drinks.
Serving boards and crockery.
How it works
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Guests usually gather round to watch while it cooks. A summer drinks reception in Hart Plain has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We pack down when service ends.
Preparing for the day
- Give us a contact for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
Get a quote
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Planning help
Hart Plain: your questions answered
How far is Hart Plain from London?
Roughly 58 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Can you cater a reception after a service at The Hart Plain Church?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, where your guests can watch.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Yes, tapas work on their own.
Are the tapas fresh?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
How do you work out quantities?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Where do you cater?
We cater across London and the South East, including Hampshire. Find your area.
What affects the price in Hart Plain
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, depending on:
- How long we are needed on site
- The paellas you choose
- Waiting and bar staff
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
Details that help
To speed things up, tell us:
- The courses you’d like
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Expected numbers
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: fill in our quote form.
Is live paella right for your event?
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas are hard to beat. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why Hart Plain hosts choose us
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Fast service from the pan
Planners, venues and businesses
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll 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