Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Houghton, Hampshire
Planning tapas catering in Houghton? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Evening sharing boards
- Tapas starters
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Tapas catering near Houghton
Paella compared with other options
Generic canapés all look the same. Tapas bring something different. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before booking.
Why choose Love Paella in Houghton
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
Read Our pricing Or Our guide to catering costs.
Tapas catering in Houghton, cooked live
Tapas pair naturally with a live paella, as a starter while the rice cooks, but they’re great on their own. On the menu are croquetas, albóndigas and Manchego with membrillo, and we’re regularly asked to cater welcome-drink canapés and birthday drinks.
Near Houghton, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated.
What’s in the pans
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Patatas bravas
Always popular.
Where we can cook in Houghton
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- Space for a serving table or station
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Popular choices
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
FAQs for Houghton
Is Houghton close to London?
Roughly 68 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
We are having a ceremony at Church of All Saints: can you cater afterwards?
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 normally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Do you cater in Houghton?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Houghton and across Hampshire. Send us your date to check availability.
Do you cook inside?
Usually we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, because we use gas burners. Some venues have suitable spaces; we’ll check with you and the venue.
How much space do you need?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
Are the tapas served hot?
We finish hot dishes on site; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Yes. Tortilla, bravas and Manchego are popular vegetarian choices.
Working with your venue
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
If you are planning an event on someone’s behalf, whether you’re a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we’re happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Step by step
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Your guests are welcome to watch as the paella takes shape. Sunset in Houghton is around 9:25pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
Ask for a quote
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Planning for every diet
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Book staff to carry canapés round
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Drinks receptions around Houghton
Houghton is about 6 miles north of Romsey, in Hampshire. Across the SO20 area, we can bring the pans to you. Houghton is one of 683 places in Hampshire where we cook. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 13 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Mottisfont & Dunbridge station is about 3.8 miles away. Nearby historic houses include Mottisfont Abbey (3.2 miles south). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
We cook at events all over the SO20 postcode area and the streets around it. Streets in the area include Kents Orchard, Houghton Farm Close and Stevens Drove, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Nearby, we also cater events in Horsebridge (1 mile south-east), Broughton (2 miles west), Stonymarsh (3 miles south), Mottisfont (3 miles south) and Michelmersh (4 miles south). Larger places within reach include Winchester (9 miles east), Eastleigh (11 miles south-east), Andover (9 miles north), Totton (12 miles south), Chandler's Ford (9 miles south-east) and Hedge End (15 miles south-east).
- Nearby, you will find The Boot Inn (under half a mile north)
Also near Houghton
Other catering in Houghton
Perfect for your event in Houghton
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We frequently cook for:
- Tapas and paella menus
- Work receptions
- Evening grazing
- Drinks parties and receptions
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of All Saints, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
What your quote should include
- The deadline for final numbers
- Space, access and power needs
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- If the price includes VAT
- 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