Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Hipley, Hampshire
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Hipley: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, in full view of your guests.
- Tapas starters
- Birthday drinks
- Tapas with a paella main course
Planning an event in Hipley?
How our tapas catering works in Hipley
The best spreads mix hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. Popular choices include Serrano ham, albóndigas and croquetas, and we’re regularly asked to cater sharing tapas starters and engagement drinks.
Near Hipley, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
Occasions we cook for in Hipley
They’re the classic starter before paella.
These are some of the occasions we cater:
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Engagement celebrations
- Canapés with welcome drinks
If you are looking at a historic venue around Hipley, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
What your quote should include
- Space, access and power needs
- The wet-weather plan
- What the price includes, item by item
- VAT, if it applies
What happens on the day
Here’s how the day generally runs: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, your guests watch the rice cook, and we serve straight from the pan at the agreed time. At midsummer, it is light in Hipley until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Before we arrive
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Leave space around the cooking area
Getting a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Planning help
What we need at the venue
Every venue is different, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Room for a tapas table
- Permission from the venue
- An area to prepare hot tapas
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think before you book.
On the menu in Hipley
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
What tapas catering costs
Your quote will be clear and itemised. The main things that affect it are:
- How many guests are eating
- How many courses
- Parking and unloading
- How many staff you need
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Details that help
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- The date and time of the event
- The courses you’d like
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we will make suggestions. To start, fill in our quote form.
DIY paella versus live catering
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
Questions from Hipley
Is Hipley too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Which station should guests use for Hipley?
Portchester station, about 3.6 miles south of the centre.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans.
What space do you need to cook?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
How long do you need on site?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
If you need them, yes. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables are available.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
Are the tapas fresh?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue so they’re served at their best.
For event organisers in Hipley
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because every paella has its own pan. A few tips:
- Check diets in advance
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Staff to serve canapés.
Paella compared with other options
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, which makes them easy to plan around. Got a budget? Let us know, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
What you get with us
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- We cover Hipley and the whole of Hampshire
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
Take a look at Our pricing Or Our guide to catering costs.
Planning a tapas spread in Hipley
Hipley is about 4 miles west of Waterlooville, in Hampshire. From the centre of Hipley to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Hipley is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire we cover. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 12 miles away.
Guests travelling by rail: Portchester station is about 3.6 miles away. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of the Holy Trinity.
For tapas catering in PO7, we plan around your venue. Other places close to Hipley for tapas catering include Worlds End (1 mile east), Hoe Gate (1 mile north), Newtown (1 mile north-west), Southend (1 mile north) and Soberton Heath (2 miles north-west). Further out, we also cater in Winchester (14 miles north-west), Gosport (7 miles south), Havant (6 miles south-east), Eastleigh (11 miles north-west), Fareham (5 miles south-west) and Horndean (5 miles east).
Nearby you will also find Queen Alexandra Hospital (4 miles south-east) and Portchester Castle (4.4 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Portsdown Hill and St Clair's Meadow.
Nearby places to Hipley
Other catering in Hipley
- 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