Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering in Keyhaven
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Keyhaven.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Tapas before paella
- Engagement celebrations
Tapas catering for Keyhaven events
How our tapas catering works in Keyhaven
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they arrive hot. Whether it’s tapas and paella menus and drinks reception canapés, we will put together a menu of padrón peppers, albóndigas and patatas bravas for your guests.
Near Keyhaven, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Timings are planned around your event, whether that is speeches, a lunch break or a festival schedule.
Planning the cooking area
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We need:
- A spot for our serving station
- Permission from the venue
- Parking near the venue
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before you book.
Menu ideas
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
Planning for every diet
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Label seafood clearly
Canapés circulate with drinks.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Tapas for events in Keyhaven
Keyhaven is about 3 miles south of Lymington, in Hampshire. Across the SO41 area, we can bring the pans to you. Keyhaven is one of 683 places in Hampshire we cover. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 16 miles away.
Historic buildings near Keyhaven 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 Church of All Saints. Keyhaven is within about 7 miles of the New Forest National Park, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 3 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
We cook at events all over SO41. Your event could be at a home on New Road, Keyhaven Road and Saltgrass Lane. Nearby, we also cater events in Milford on Sea (1 mile west), Lymore (1 mile north-west), Lower Pennington (1 mile north-east), Everton (2 miles north-west) and Pennington (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Totton (14 miles north), Hythe (12 miles north-east), New Milton (4 miles north-west), Ringwood (13 miles north-west), Warsash (15 miles north-east) and Barton on Sea (4 miles west).
A little further out are St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery (2.8 miles north-east) and Yarmouth Castle (3.3 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Milford on Sea LNR and Tennyson Down.
- Local schools include Priestlands School (2.2 miles north)
- Local pubs include The Gun Public House (within half a mile south-east)
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Prices and what affects them
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Distance and access to the venue
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Getting an accurate quote
To speed things up, tell us:
- The date and rough timings
- Where the event is
- Anything your venue supplies
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
Send us the date, your venue or SO41 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and you’ll get a menu idea and a price. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
Perfect for your event in Keyhaven
They suit standing receptions where a full meal does not fit.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Tapas starters
- Tapas before paella
- Engagement celebrations
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Lymington Town station, about 3 miles north-east.
What your quote should include
- How each diet is kept separate
- How late numbers can change
- Payment terms and deposit
- What happens if it rains
Paella compared with other options
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel special. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What you get with us
- Fast service from the pan
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
Read How we price And What paella catering costs.
Planners, venues and businesses
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Questions from Keyhaven
Do you come out to small places like Keyhaven?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Can you cook near the sea around Keyhaven?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
Do you do desserts?
We do. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
Do you provide serving staff?
Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to carry them round.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria, yes, plus bar staff for your own drinks.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, where your guests can watch.
How long do you need on site?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Which areas do you serve?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
What happens on the day
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Your guests are welcome to watch while it cooks. Sunset in Keyhaven is around 9:25pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
Getting a price
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Towns and villages near Keyhaven
More for events in Keyhaven
- 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