Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Hook, Hampshire
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Hook and the surrounding area.
- Engagement celebrations
- Evening sharing boards
- Table tapas as a starter
Planning an event in Hook?
Planning the cooking area
If a space is not suitable, we’ll tell you, and suggest an alternative. What matters most:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Space on each table
- An area to prepare hot tapas
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
Menu ideas
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
About our tapas catering in Hook
Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. We are often asked to cater birthday and anniversary parties and launches and office parties, with padrón peppers, tortilla española and Serrano ham.
For a party in a place like Hook, a tapas spread is easy and sociable. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in a separate pan and clearly labelled.
About the dishes
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil.
Tortilla española
Potato omelette served in wedges or squares.
Should I cook it myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
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.
The process
Serving is fast: we serve straight from the pan, so large groups are fed quickly. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. At midsummer, it’s light in Hook until about 9:25pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
Before we arrive
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
Ask for a quote
Send us the date, your venue or RG27 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and we’ll reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
Planning a tapas spread in Hook
Hook is about 5 miles west of Fleet, in Hampshire. Anywhere in RG27, we will come to your venue or garden. We cover all 683 towns and villages across Hampshire. We cook right across the region, from Hook to Reading (11 miles away).
For guests coming by train, Hook station is in Hook itself. Nearby historic houses include Stratfield Saye House (4.8 miles north). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
For tapas catering in RG27, we plan around your venue and your guests. From London Road, Station Road and Rookswood Close or anywhere nearby, we will bring the pans to you. With the B3349 close by, Hook is simple for us to get to. If your venue is just outside Hook, we also cover Hook Common (1 mile south-west), Murrell Green (1 mile east), Warnborough Green (1 mile south), Newnham (1 mile west) and Nately Scures (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Basingstoke (6 miles west), Farnborough (8 miles east), Fleet (5 miles east), Aldershot (9 miles east), Alton (9 miles south) and Yateley (7 miles north-east).
Nearby you’ll also find Odiham Castle (1.6 miles south) and West Green House Agricultural Museum (1.6 miles north-east). Open spaces near Hook include Tundry Hill and Dogmersfield Lake.
- Schools near Hook include Robert May's School (2.2 miles south)
Occasions we cook for in Hook
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Launches and office parties
- Birthday drinks
- Tapas before paella
- Engagement parties
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St John the Evangelist.
What to look for in a quote
- Whether VAT is included
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- The wet-weather plan
- A clear list of what’s included
What tapas catering costs
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Waiting and bar staff
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Your choice of paellas
- How long we are needed on site
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
What to tell us
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- Where the event is
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The date and time of the event
- A picture of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
Not sure what you need yet? That is fine: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll make suggestions. Start when you’re ready: fill in our quote form.
Hook questions
Which station should guests use for Hook?
Hook has its own station: Hook station.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St John the Evangelist?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking generally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
What does tapas catering cost?
We quote for each event, so you only pay for what you need. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas and we’ll reply with a price.
Do you do desserts?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. We arrive with everything we need and cook on the day, then serve straight from the pan.
How long does the paella take?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Can you supply plates?
If you need them, yes. Proper crockery or quality disposables are available.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Diets, allergies and planning
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. Our advice:
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Add a live paella main.
Paella compared with other options
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What you get with us
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Fast service from the pan
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Sangria and bar staff available
See How we price And The cost guide.
Nearby places to Hook
What else we do in Hook
- 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