Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering for Lower Farringdon events
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Lower Farringdon.
- Engagement celebrations
- Birthday drinks
- Tapas and paella menus
Tapas catering near Lower Farringdon
How our tapas catering works in Lower Farringdon
Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and several can be made gluten-free. We cook albóndigas, Manchego with membrillo and padrón peppers, and typical bookings are for engagement parties and anniversary parties.
In a rural spot like Lower Farringdon, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: the menu, the staff and any extras, with no surprises on the day.
Catering for every guest
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Label seafood clearly
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Step by step
When we arrive, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so the timing is planned around your event. A summer drinks reception in Lower Farringdon has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Before we arrive
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
Getting a price
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, use our quote form.
Planning help
For event organisers in Lower Farringdon
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
Drinks receptions around Lower Farringdon
Lower Farringdon is about 3 miles south of Alton, in Hampshire. We cater events at homes, gardens and venues in Lower Farringdon. Lower Farringdon is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire where we cook. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 20 miles away.
If you are looking at a historic venue around Lower Farringdon, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of All Saints. The South Downs National Park is within about 8 miles of Lower Farringdon, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Anywhere in GU34, we can cook for your guests. Streets in the area include Gosport Road, Brightstone Lane and Shirnall Meadow, and we can cook for an event on any of them. If your venue is just outside Lower Farringdon, we also cover Farringdon (1 mile east), Upper Farringdon (1 mile east), Chawton (2 miles north), Hartley Mauditt (2 miles east) and Alton (3 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Basingstoke (12 miles north-west), Winchester (14 miles west), Fleet (13 miles north-east), Horndean (14 miles south), Aldershot (14 miles north-east) and Petersfield (8 miles south).
A little further out are Alton Community Hospital (2 miles north) and The Romany Museum (2.6 miles south-east). Not far away are Red Hill.
- Pubs nearby include Royal Oak pub (under half a mile west)
What tapas catering costs
Every event is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- Timings and hours
- Travel, parking and access
- Guest numbers
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Getting an accurate quote
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Expected numbers
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we will make suggestions. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
Common questions in Lower Farringdon
Can you cook at venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will follow the site rules.
Is Lower Farringdon close to London?
Roughly 47 miles from the centre of London.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
If you need them, yes. Proper crockery or quality disposables are available.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes, on request. Let us know your halal numbers, and it is cooked separately.
Can you serve drinks?
Sangria can be added, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
Dishes our guests love
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns with a little chilli.
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Space, weather and the venue
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Unloading access
- A spot for our serving station
- An area to prepare hot tapas
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
What we offer
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
Places near Lower Farringdon
Other catering in Lower Farringdon
Perfect for your event in Lower Farringdon
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Engagement drinks
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Alton station, about 3 miles north.
Before you book anyone
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- How bad weather is handled
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- VAT, if it applies
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. 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.
- 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