Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Mead End, Hampshire
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Mead End and Hampshire, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Evening sharing boards
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Tapas before paella
Live tapas catering in Mead End
Why choose tapas catering in Mead End?
They’re easy to eat with a drink in hand.
Here are some of the events we cook for:
- Cocktail parties
- Engagement drinks
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Office parties and launches
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St Andrew.
Comparing caterers
- A clear list of what’s included
- The deadline for final numbers
- The wet-weather plan
- Whether VAT is included
Tapas catering for your event in Mead End
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they’re served at their best. Whether it’s birthday drinks and tapas starters, we will put together a menu of Manchego with membrillo, padrón peppers and patatas bravas.
Near Mead End, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, never made in advance and reheated.
Space, weather and the venue
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Parking near the venue
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Space for a serving table or station
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before you book.
On the menu in Mead End
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
Also in Mead End
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 will work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
FAQs for Mead End
What’s the nearest station to Mead End for guests?
The closest is Sway station, roughly 0.9 miles away.
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 will work to whatever the site needs.
How long does the paella take?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
Can you cook in the rain?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We’ll talk it through before the day.
How much tapas do we need?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Give us the details for a suggestion.
Can you cook indoors?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, since the burners are gas. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Do you cook it at the event?
It is. We arrive with everything we need and cook it there and then, then serve straight from the pan.
Do you take everything away?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and handles separate pans for each diet.
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.
Is live paella right for your event?
Standard canapés can feel samey. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What you get with us
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
Read How we price And The cost guide.
What tapas catering costs
There is nothing hidden: the quote reflects:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Guest numbers
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Your choice of paellas
The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What to tell us
These details help us quote quickly:
- The courses you’d like
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The address or venue name
- A picture of where we’d cook
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We will send a clear, itemised quote.
What’s in the pans
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat, frequently with ham or mushroom.
Planning a tapas spread in Mead End
Mead End is about 4 miles north-west of Lymington, in Hampshire. Events in Mead End are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. We cater in 683 places across Hampshire. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 14 miles away.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Sway station, about 0.9 miles east. Historic buildings near Mead End often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. The New Forest National Park is within about 4 miles of Mead End, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors. With the sea within about 5 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
We cover events in every part of the SO41 postcode area. Local streets include Marley Mount and Boundway; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Tiptoe (1 mile south), Sway (1 mile east), Bashley (1 mile south-west), Ashley (2 miles south) and Wootton (2 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Totton (11 miles north-east), Lymington (4 miles south-east), Hythe (11 miles north-east), Ringwood (8 miles north-west), Barton on Sea (3 miles south-west) and Dibden Purlieu (11 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Lymington New Forest Hospital (3.8 miles east) and Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum (2.2 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Milford on Sea LNR.
- Pubs nearby include The Plough Public House (0.8 miles south)
The process
Expect a friendly, organised team. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up our cooking area, and cook and serve without fuss. A summer drinks reception in Mead End 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 4:05pm.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
How to get a price
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
- 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