Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering in Hiltingbury
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Hiltingbury. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, then served hot from the pan.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Tapas and paella menus
- Engagement drinks
Planning an event in Hiltingbury?
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
How our tapas catering works in Hiltingbury
A good spread mixes hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. Whether it is sharing tapas starters and receptions and drinks parties, we will put together a menu of padrón peppers, patatas bravas and croquetas.
In Hiltingbury, tapas work at home or in a local hall. We plan the timings around your day, whether that’s speeches, a lunch break or a festival schedule.
Towns and villages near Hiltingbury
More for events in Hiltingbury
Space, weather and the venue
Every venue is different, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Room for a tapas table
- Permission from the venue
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Popular choices
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
The process
When the rice goes in, it’s left alone. That’s what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. Your guests will smell it before they see it. Sunset in Hiltingbury is around 9:25pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Tell 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.
How to prepare
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Tell us where to park and unload
How to get a price
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, use our quote form.
Read more
Who books tapas catering in Hiltingbury?
They suit standing receptions where a full meal does not fit.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In Hiltingbury, people book us for occasions like:
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Evening grazing
- Launches and office parties
After a ceremony at a church such as St. Martin in the Woods, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Comparing caterers
- The wet-weather plan
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- What the price includes, item by item
- The venue requirements
Planning a tapas spread in Hiltingbury
Hiltingbury is about 1 mile north of Chandler's Ford, in Hampshire. For an event in Hiltingbury, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices. We cater in all 683 towns and villages in Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 6 miles away.
If you are looking at a historic venue around Hiltingbury, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Chandlers Ford station, about 1 mile south.
This part of Hampshire takes in SO53, SO52 and SO51. We can cater an event on streets such as Pine Road, Beech Road and Common Road or the roads around them. Close by, we cover events in Chandler's Ford (1 mile south), Allbrook (1 mile south-east), Boyatt Wood (2 miles south-east), Highbridge (2 miles east) and Lord's Wood (3 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Winchester (5 miles north-east), Eastleigh (3 miles south-east), Fareham (13 miles south-east), Andover (15 miles north), Totton (8 miles south-west) and Hedge End (7 miles south-east).
Nearby you’ll also find Eastleigh Museum (2.5 miles south-east) and Romsey Community Hospital (4.2 miles west). The countryside around Hiltingbury includes Flexford Nature Reserve.
- Local schools include Thornden School (0.9 miles east) and Thornden School (1 mile east)
Working with your venue
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Hiltingbury: your questions answered
We are having a ceremony at St. Martin in the Woods: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking generally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Which station should guests use for Hiltingbury?
Chandlers Ford station, about 1 mile south of the centre.
Will there be enough food?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
Can you cook indoors?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
When do you arrive?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
Do you provide drinks?
Sangria can be added, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
How soon do we need to book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Even if it is short notice, it’s worth asking.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Yes, tapas work on their own.
What tapas catering costs
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Waiting and bar staff
- Whether you need crockery
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- The number of people
Larger events typically cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
What we need to know
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Which courses you have in mind
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Is live paella right for your event?
Generic canapés all look the same. Tapas bring something different. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What you get with us
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- A clear, itemised quote
- Sangria and bar staff available
Take a look at Our prices page Or Our guide to catering costs.
Dishes our guests love
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns.
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
- 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