Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering for Itchen Stoke events
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Itchen Stoke and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Launches and office parties
Tapas catering near Itchen Stoke
Planning for every diet
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Add sangria or cava
Canapés circulate with drinks as guests arrive.
Staff to serve canapés.
Tapas catering for your event in Itchen Stoke
We’ll recommend a tapas selection for your event, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. On the menu are patatas bravas, tortilla española and Manchego with membrillo, and we are regularly asked to cater engagement drinks and table tapas as a starter.
In a rural spot like Itchen Stoke, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated, and served as soon as it’s ready.
Planning a tapas spread in Itchen Stoke
Itchen Stoke is about 5 miles north-east of Winchester, in Hampshire. We cater events at homes, gardens and venues in Itchen Stoke. We cook in 683 places across Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Itchen Stoke to Southampton (about 14 miles away).
Historic buildings near Itchen Stoke frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St Mary's Church.
Anywhere in SO24, we can bring tapas catering to you. You will find Itchen Stoke on the B3047, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. Other places close to Itchen Stoke for tapas catering include Ovington (1 mile south-east), Itchen Abbas (1 mile west), Martyr Worthy (2 miles west), Temple Valley (3 miles south-west) and Easton (3 miles west). Larger places within reach include Basingstoke (13 miles north), Winchester (5 miles south-west), Eastleigh (10 miles south-west), Andover (15 miles north-west), Horndean (15 miles south-east) and Chandler's Ford (11 miles south-west).
A little further out are St John's Rooms And Chapel (4.7 miles south-west) and Wolvesey Castle (4.8 miles south-west). Open spaces near Itchen Stoke include Twyford Down and Winnall Moors.
- Pubs nearby include The Bush Inn (0.5 miles south-east)
Itchen Stoke: your questions answered
How far is Itchen Stoke from London?
About 56 miles from central London, and well within our area.
Do you come out to small places like Itchen Stoke?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
What space do you need to cook?
Not a lot: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. Send us a photo if you are not sure.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, we do. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in its own pan.
Do you do desserts?
We can add a dessert. Let us know if you’d like one in your enquiry.
How much does tapas catering cost in Itchen Stoke?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas for a clear quote.
How much paella per person?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Tell us what else is being served. See how much paella per person.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes. We cook vegetarian and vegan paellas in their own pans.
Before you choose a spot
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space before we confirm. Generally, we look for:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Space on each table
- Parking near the venue
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before you book.
Popular choices
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Nearby places to Itchen Stoke
Other catering in Itchen Stoke
What tapas catering costs
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- The number of people
- Travel, parking and access
- Timings and hours
- Your choice of paellas
There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
Getting an accurate quote
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- Expected numbers
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Which courses you have in mind
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
DIY paella versus live catering
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
How it works
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you’re free to enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first while the paella cooks. Sunset in Itchen Stoke is around 9:25pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Give us a contact for the day
Getting a price
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, use our quote form.
Read more
Occasions we cook for in Itchen Stoke
They work for any size of event.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in Itchen Stoke book us for events such as:
- Engagement parties
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Evening sharing boards
- Tapas before paella
Historic houses near Itchen Stoke include Hinton Ampner House (4 miles south-east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
What your quote should include
- The venue requirements
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- Who provides the crockery
- How each diet is kept separate
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, so they fit most plans. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Why choose Love Paella in Itchen Stoke
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
Take a look at How we price And Our guide to catering costs.
- 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