Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering in Marchwood
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 Marchwood.
- Launches and office parties
- Cocktail parties
- Sharing tapas starters
Tapas catering in Marchwood
Why live cooking beats a buffet
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas are hard to beat. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
Why Marchwood hosts choose us
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- No hidden extras in your quote
See How we price And What paella catering costs.
About our tapas catering in Marchwood
Tapas pair naturally with a live paella, served while the paella cooks, but they work on their own too. Whether it’s tapas starters and engagement celebrations, we will put together a menu of Manchego with membrillo, padrón peppers and tortilla española and more.
In Marchwood, tapas work at home or in a local hall. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
Before you choose a spot
If a space isn’t suitable, we’ll tell you, and suggest an alternative. The main points are:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Space on each table
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
Popular choices
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
What happens on the day
The paella is cooked in huge, shallow pans over gas burners. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, and we agree where that is before the day. A summer drinks reception in Marchwood has daylight until about 9:25pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- 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 go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
How to prepare
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
Ask for a quote
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, plus any dietary needs, and we will reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just use our quote form.
Read more
The menu, dish by dish
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat, often with ham or mushroom.
What affects the price in Marchwood
Every event is priced individually, and the price depends on a few things:
- Timings and hours
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Guest numbers
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.
What to tell us
For a quote, it helps to have:
- The date and time of the event
- Which courses you have in mind
- The venue or postcode
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Places near Marchwood
Also in Marchwood
Organising for someone else?
If you are planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we are happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It saves passing messages back and forth.
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Common questions in Marchwood
Can you cook at venues in the New Forest National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Which station should guests use for Marchwood?
The closest is Millbrook (Hants) station, roughly 1.6 miles away.
Do you do vegan paella?
Of course. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, if you need them. Let us know what you have, and we’ll quote for the rest.
How much space do you need?
Less than you might think: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a photo.
How many paellas should we have?
Generally two or three, so every guest has a choice. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we will suggest the mix.
Is halal food available?
Yes. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in its own pan.
Do you come to Marchwood?
Yes. We cover London and the South East, including Marchwood and the rest of Hampshire. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Planning for every diet
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
Canapés go round with the drinks as guests arrive.
Waiting staff for canapés.
Planning a tapas spread in Marchwood
Marchwood is about 3 miles south-east of Totton, in Hampshire. Whether your event is in the middle of Marchwood or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cater in all 683 towns and villages in Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages.
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Marchwood, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St John the Apostle, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Marchwood is within about 6 miles of the New Forest National Park, ideal for an outdoor reception. With the sea within about 3 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Wherever your event is in SO40, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. We can cater an event on streets such as Cranberry Close, Melick Close and The Rowans. Marchwood is on the A326, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. We also cook at events in Dibden (2 miles south-east), Dibden Purlieu (3 miles south-east), Hythe (3 miles south-east), Beaulieu (5 miles south) and Furzey Lodge (5 miles south). Further out, we also cater in Winchester (13 miles north-east), Gosport (14 miles south-east), Eastleigh (7 miles north-east), Fareham (11 miles east), Totton (3 miles north-west) and Chandler's Ford (7 miles north-east).
A little further out are Netley Castle (4.1 miles east) and Westquay (2.1 miles east). Not far away are Testwood Lakes.
- Local schools include Hounsdown School (2 miles north-west)
- Local pubs include White Horse pub (within half a mile east)
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and do not stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
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’ll do the cooking.
- 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