Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering for Old Basing events
Looking for tapas catering in Old Basing? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Tapas starters
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Planning an event in Old Basing?
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Tapas catering in Old Basing, cooked live
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, as a starter while the rice cooks, but they’re great on their own. Whether it’s tapas and paella menus and office parties and launches, we can cook Serrano ham, Manchego with membrillo and gambas al ajillo for your guests.
In Old Basing, tapas work at home or in a local hall. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
Dishes our guests love
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside, frequently with ham or mushroom.
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
FAQs for Old Basing
Which station should guests use for Old Basing?
The closest is Basingstoke station, roughly 2 miles away.
Is Old Basing close to London?
About 44 miles from central London, and well within our area.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, where your guests can watch.
Are the tapas fresh?
We finish hot dishes on site; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
Do you cater for young children?
Yes, children are easy to cater for. Let us know numbers and ages, and we’ll plan for them.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
Yes, on request. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
What happens if it rains?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Space, weather and the venue
Every venue is different, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Room for a tapas table
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
Organising for someone else?
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so guests are fed quickly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Diets, allergies and planning
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Check diets in advance
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
Each dish is labelled.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
What happens on the day
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you are free to enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first while the paella cooks. Evening receptions in Old Basing stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Getting ready for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
Ask for a quote
Not sure what you need yet? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, use our quote form.
Planning help
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, 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 Old Basing
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- A quote that spells everything out
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
Take a look at Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
Towns and villages near Old Basing
Other catering in Old Basing
Drinks receptions around Old Basing
Old Basing is about 3 miles east of Basingstoke, in Hampshire. From the centre of Old Basing to the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cater in 683 places across Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Old Basing to Reading (about 13 miles away).
Parks such as Eastrop Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. Historic houses near Old Basing include The Vyne (3.3 miles north-west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Tapas catering in RG24 is planned around your venue and timings. Streets in the area include The Street, London Road and Paulet Place, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Other places close to Old Basing for tapas catering include Lychpit (1 mile west), Mapledurwell (1 mile east), Andwell (1 mile east), Water End (2 miles east) and Chineham (2 miles north). Larger places within reach include Basingstoke (3 miles west), Farnborough (12 miles east), Fleet (9 miles east), Aldershot (12 miles east), Alton (9 miles south) and Yateley (10 miles north-east).
Nearby you’ll also find Festival Place (1.9 miles west) and Basing House (within half a mile west). Green spaces nearby include Farleigh Hill and The Mill Field.
- Schools near Old Basing include The Costello School (1.6 miles west)
- Pubs nearby include The Crown Public House (under half a mile west)
What tapas catering costs
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- How many staff you need
- Distance and access to the venue
- The paellas you choose
- How many courses
Larger events normally cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What to tell us
When you get in touch, it helps to tell us:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Where the event is
- Which courses you have in mind
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
- 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