Portsmouth · England
Tapas Catering in Paulsgrove
Planning tapas catering in Paulsgrove? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Office parties and launches
Tapas catering near Paulsgrove
Tapas catering in Paulsgrove, made fresh on the day
We will suggest a selection to suit your timings and guests, starter or main event. For engagement drinks and canapés with welcome drinks, we will put together a menu of Serrano ham, Manchego with membrillo and patatas bravas and more.
In Paulsgrove, tapas work at home or in a local hall. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it is hot and generous, and a queue moves quickly.
- Area
- Paulsgrove (PO6)
- Region
- Portsmouth
- Dietary options
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
What happens on the day
When we arrive, we set up our cooking area, light the burners and start the sofrito. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so the timing is planned around your event. At midsummer, it’s light in Paulsgrove until about 9:20pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
How to get a price
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Related guides
Should I cook it myself?
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and do not stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
The menu, dish by dish
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Is live paella right for your event?
Standard canapés can feel samey. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. We itemise everything in your quote.
Why book with us
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
See Our prices page Or The cost guide.
For planners, venues and organisers
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
Organising a club, school or community event in Paulsgrove? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
Also near Paulsgrove
More for events in Paulsgrove
Planning a tapas spread in Paulsgrove
Paulsgrove is about 3 miles north of Portsmouth, in Portsmouth. We bring tapas catering to homes, gardens and venues in Paulsgrove and nearby villages. We cook in all 19 towns and villages across Portsmouth, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Paulsgrove to Southampton (about 14 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Cosham station, about 1.2 miles south-east. A picnic in Alexandra Park? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is frequently easier for catering. The coast is within about 5 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Wherever your event is in PO6, we can cook for your guests. Streets in the area include Bourne Road, Ludlow Road and Farmlea Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. You’ll find Paulsgrove on the M27 and A27, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. Other places close to Paulsgrove for tapas catering include Wymering (1 mile east), Cosham (1 mile east), Hilsea (2 miles south-east), Widley (2 miles east) and Purbrook Heath (2 miles north-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Portsmouth (3 miles south), Southsea (5 miles south), Milton (4 miles south), Landport (3 miles south), Baffins (3 miles south-east) and Portsea (4 miles south).
Nearby you’ll also find Queen Alexandra Hospital (1.1 miles east) and World War I Remembrance Centre (2.2 miles south-east). The countryside around Paulsgrove includes Southmoor Nature Reserve and Portsdown Hill.
- Nearby schools include Castle View Academy (0.7 miles west)
- Pubs nearby include The Sir Alec Rose pub (0.6 miles south)
What tapas catering costs
There’s nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- How long we are needed on site
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- How many staff you need
- Distance and access to the venue
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What to tell us
To speed things up, tell us:
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Expected numbers
- Where the event is
- The date and rough timings
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, use our quote form.
Space, weather and the venue
No two venues are the same, so we will ask about yours before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Access to unload near the serving area
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think before you book.
Popular choices
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
Paulsgrove questions
Could we have live paella in Alexandra Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
What about events near the coast?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
When do you arrive?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes, we do. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in its own pan.
Can you cater for children?
Children are welcome. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we’ll plan for them.
Do you do starters?
Yes, and it’s a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Are the tapas served hot?
Hot tapas are finished on site.
What space do you need to cook?
Not a lot: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. Send us a photo if you are not sure.
Why choose tapas catering in Paulsgrove?
They make a perfect starter before paella.
Whatever the occasion, live paella can be the centrepiece. We regularly cater:
- Birthday drinks
- Engagement parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Receptions and drinks parties
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Paulsgrove, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
What to look for in a quote
- Whether VAT is included
- Travel and parking costs
- The wet-weather plan
- When final numbers are due
- 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