Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Holbury, Hampshire
Planning tapas catering in Holbury? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Table tapas as a starter
- Evening grazing
Planning an event in Holbury?
Why choose live paella in Holbury?
Standard canapés can feel samey. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is often good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We’ll send you a quote.
What you get with us
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Catering across Hampshire, including Holbury
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
Take a look at Our prices page Or What paella catering costs.
About our tapas catering in Holbury
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; for seated meals, table tapas. Lots of events do both. For tapas before paella and engagement drinks, we will put together a menu of tortilla española, Serrano ham and albóndigas.
For a party in a place like Holbury, a tapas spread is easy and sociable. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose.
Working with your venue
Organising a club, school or community event in Holbury? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
DIY paella versus live catering
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Common questions in Holbury
Can you cater a reception after a service at The Good Shepherd?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
What about events near the coast?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Absolutely.
Do you cook tapas on site?
We finish hot dishes on site; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
Do you cook inside?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Do you cover Holbury?
Yes, we do. Holbury is one of the places we cover. Tell us your date and we will check availability.
How long do you need on site?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance so the paella is ready when you want it.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in its own pan.
What affects the price in Holbury
Every event is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- Timings and hours
- Parking and unloading
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Guest numbers
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Details that help
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- The address or venue name
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- What the venue already provides
- Your date and when you want to eat
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Check diets in advance
- Label seafood clearly
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Canapés need staff to serve
Afterwards, we clear away.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Places near Holbury
Also in Holbury
Drinks receptions around Holbury
Holbury is about 2 miles south of Hythe, in Hampshire. For tapas catering in Holbury, we plan around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cater in all 683 towns and villages across Hampshire. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 6 miles away.
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like The Good Shepherd. Nearby historic houses include Beaulieu Palace House (2.9 miles west) and Medieval Merchant's House (5 miles north). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. Holbury is within about 4 miles of the New Forest National Park, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 4 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Tapas catering in SO45 is planned around your venue. We can cater an event on streets such as Beechwood Road, Park Hill Close and Pondhead Close. Other places close to Holbury for tapas catering include Little Holbury (1 mile north-west), Roughdown (1 mile south), Hardley (1 mile north), Blackfield (1 mile south-east) and Langley (1 mile south). We also cook in nearby towns such as Gosport (10 miles east), Eastleigh (10 miles north), Fareham (8 miles east), Totton (8 miles north-west), Chandler's Ford (11 miles north) and Hedge End (7 miles north-east).
A little further out are Beaulieu Abbey And Display Of Monastic Life (3.1 miles west) and Calshot Castle (3.4 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Mercury Marshes.
- Local schools include The New Forest Academy (0.7 miles north)
What we need at the venue
Every venue is different, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- A spot for our serving station
- Space to finish hot dishes
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
Menu ideas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
A closer look at the menu
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
What happens on the day
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you can enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first as the rice is cooking. Evening receptions in Holbury stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Tell us when you want to eat
Getting a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you’re ready, fill in our quote form.
Read more
- 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