Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Oakley, Hampshire
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Oakley. We cook from scratch on site, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Office parties and launches
- Drinks parties and receptions
Tapas catering near Oakley
Occasions we cook for in Oakley
They’re ideal when a full meal does not fit.
Whatever you’re celebrating in Oakley, live paella can be the centrepiece. We regularly cater:
- Office parties and launches
- Anniversary parties
- Engagement parties
- Evening sharing boards
Historic buildings near Oakley frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
What your quote should include
- Whether VAT is included
- Space, access and power needs
- How bad weather is handled
- How late numbers can change
Tapas catering for your event in Oakley
Tapas are sharing food, made for conversation. Canapés go round while guests mingle, or table tapas go out to share. We cook padrón peppers, patatas bravas and albóndigas, and we are often booked for sharing tapas starters and drinks reception canapés.
Tapas make a party in Oakley easy and sociable. You’ll know exactly what’s included before you book: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose.
Diets, allergies and planning
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To make it work smoothly:
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Check diets in advance
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
Table tapas are set down to share at the start of the meal.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Your questions about tapas catering in Oakley
What’s the nearest station to Oakley for guests?
The closest is Overton station, roughly 3.7 miles away.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St John's?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you cater for children?
Yes. Children frequently love a simple chicken paella. Tell us how many are coming.
Can we add drinks?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you’re providing the drinks.
Do you supply canapé staff?
We can provide staff. Canapés need staff to serve.
How much space do you need?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Even if it is short notice, it’s worth asking.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Of course. Tapas can be booked without paella.
Step by step
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Guests normally gather round to watch while it cooks. A summer drinks reception in Oakley has daylight until about 9:25pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Before we arrive
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
Ask for a quote
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Read more
Planning the cooking area
We’ll be honest if a space will not work, and help find another spot. The main points are:
- A spot for our serving station
- Parking near the venue
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in Oakley
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
Oakley: venues and local tips
Oakley is about 3 miles west of Basingstoke, in Hampshire. Events in Oakley are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cook in 683 places in Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Reading, about 16 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as St John's, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Overton station, about 3.7 miles west.
We cover events in every part of RG23. Streets in the area include Station Road, Marlborough Gardens and Anton Close, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Close by, we cover events in Newfound (1 mile north-east), Kempshott (2 miles east), Worting (2 miles north-east), Buckskin (2 miles east) and Ibworth (2 miles north). Further out, we also cater in Basingstoke (3 miles east), Winchester (15 miles south-west), Fleet (15 miles east), Andover (14 miles west), Alton (11 miles south-east) and Tadley (7 miles north).
Well-known places in the area include Park Prewett Hospital (3.2 miles north-east) and Willis Museum (3.9 miles east). Not far away are Farleigh Hill.
- Local schools include Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School (2.3 miles east)
- Nearby, you’ll find Barley Mow pub (under half a mile south-west)
What tapas catering costs
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Parking and unloading
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Whether you need crockery
Got a budget? Let us know, and we will suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Details that help
When you contact us, it helps to tell us:
- Expected numbers
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- The address or venue name
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
About the dishes
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Paella compared with other options
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel special. There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
Why us?
- A clear, itemised quote
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
Should I cook it myself?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
Towns and villages near Oakley
Other catering in Oakley
- 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