Milton Keynes · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Lavendon, Milton Keynes
Something for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Lavendon.
- Tapas starters
- Launches and office parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Tapas catering near Lavendon
Tapas catering for your event in Lavendon
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. We are often asked to cater table tapas as a starter and tapas and paella menus, serving croquetas, Manchego with membrillo and Serrano ham.
Near Lavendon, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated, and served as soon as it’s ready.
- Location
- Lavendon (MK46)
- Area hub
- Milton Keynes
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning the cooking area
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- A spot for our serving station
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
Menu ideas
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
FAQs for Lavendon
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Michael?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is normally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
How far is Lavendon from London?
About 52 miles from central London.
How far ahead should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Popular dates book up first, so get in touch early.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
If you need them, yes. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables are available.
How much does tapas catering cost in Lavendon?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Tapas for events in Lavendon
Lavendon is about 7 miles north-east of Newport Pagnell, in Milton Keynes. Wherever your event is in the MK46 area, we can cook for your guests. Lavendon is one of 73 places in Milton Keynes we cover. You can also see our page for Milton Keynes, about 10 miles away.
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Michael. Historic houses near Lavendon include Turvey Abbey (2 miles east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
We cover events in every part of MK46. Whether your event is on High Street, Rectory Orchard and Orchard Walk or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Close by, we cover events in Cold Brayfield (1 mile south-east) and Clifton Reynes (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Milton Keynes (10 miles south-west), Bletchley (13 miles south), Newport Pagnell (7 miles south-west), Bletchley and Fenny Stratford (13 miles south), Furzton (12 miles south) and Whitehouse (12 miles south-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Odell Castle (4.1 miles north-east). Not far away are Pavenham Osier Beds.
How it works
The cooking is part of the entertainment. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook while your guests chat. A summer drinks reception in Lavendon has daylight until about 9:25pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:50pm.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
Ask for a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Planning help
Should I cook it myself?
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
Live paella or other catering?
Tapas are flexible, which makes them easy to plan around. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Why choose Love Paella in Lavendon
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
Read How we price Or Our guide to catering costs.
How we price tapas catering
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Your choice of paellas
- How many courses
- How long we’re needed on site
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
What to tell us
To speed things up, tell us:
- A picture of the space, if you can
- Anything your venue supplies
- Expected numbers
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Send us the date, your venue or MK46 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and we will reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. To get started, fill in our quote form.
Nearby places to Lavendon
More for events in Lavendon
Organising for someone else?
Throwing a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. A few tips:
- Add sangria or cava
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
Canapés go round with the drinks.
Staff to serve canapés.
Who books tapas catering in Lavendon?
Tapas are sociable food.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Birthday drinks
- Engagement celebrations
Historic buildings near Lavendon frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue.
What to look for in a quote
- Whether travel is included
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- Whether VAT is included
- Space, access and power needs
- 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