Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering for Hightown events
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Hightown and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Work receptions
- Birthday drinks
- Tapas and paella menus
Tapas catering for Hightown events
Planning for every diet
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Check diets in advance
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Tapas catering in Hightown, 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. For sharing boards for evening guests and engagement parties, we’ll put together a menu of Manchego with membrillo, padrón peppers and gambas al ajillo.
In a rural spot like Hightown, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We serve straight from the pan, so it is hot and generous, and a queue moves quickly.
What affects the price in Hightown
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Guest numbers
- How many staff you need
- How many courses
- Timings and hours
Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Getting an accurate quote
For a quote, it helps to have:
- A picture of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- The date and rough timings
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Your questions about tapas catering in Hightown
Do you cater in the New Forest National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll follow the site rules.
We are having a ceremony at St John the Baptist: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Courtyards, doorways and terraces frequently work.
How much does tapas catering cost in Hightown?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
How soon do we need to book?
As soon as you have a date. Popular dates book up first, so contact us early.
Is the paella cooked on site?
It is. We arrive with everything we need and cook on the day, serving it hot from the pan.
How many tapas per person?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Tell us more and we will advise.
Can you do sangria?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you’re providing the drinks.
Live paella or other catering?
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
Why book with us
- Fast service from the pan
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Events in Hightown and across Hampshire
- Live cooking, not reheated food
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Step by step
The cooking is part of the entertainment. 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. A summer drinks reception in Hightown has daylight until about 9:25pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it is dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:05pm.
- Tell 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.
Before we arrive
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
How to get a price
Planning tapas catering in Hightown? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. To get in touch, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Nearby places to Hightown
What else we do in Hightown
Planning the cooking area
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- 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 picture and we will tell you honestly.
Menu ideas
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
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.
A closer look at the menu
Patatas bravas
Always popular and usually vegetarian.
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil.
Organising for someone else?
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we’ll talk you through the process. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Hightown: venues and local tips
Hightown is in Hampshire. Whether your event is in the middle of Hightown or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Hightown is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire we cover. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 17 miles away.
Historic houses near Hightown include Avon Tyrrell House (3 miles south). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. The New Forest National Park is within about 4 miles of Hightown, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cook at events all over BH24. Whether your event is on Ashley Close, Forestlake Avenue and Holmwood Garth or a nearby road, we will bring the pans to you. For events just outside Hightown, we cover Crow (1 mile south), Poulner (1 mile north), Ringwood (1 mile north-west), Upper Kingston (1 mile south-west) and Forest Corner (1 mile north-east). Larger places within reach include Totton (12 miles north-east), Lymington (11 miles south-east), New Milton (8 miles south-east), Barton on Sea (8 miles south-east), Dibden Purlieu (15 miles east) and Marchwood (14 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include St Leonard's Hospital (4.3 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Linbrook Lake and Blashford Lakes.
- Nearby schools include Ringwood School Academy (0.9 miles north-west)
- Pubs nearby include The Elm Tree Inn (within half a mile north-west)
- 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