Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering for Pennington events
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in Pennington. We cook from scratch on site, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Engagement parties
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
Book tapas catering in Pennington
About our tapas catering in Pennington
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they’re served at their best. We’re often asked to cater welcome-drink canapés and launches and office parties, with albóndigas, padrón peppers and tortilla española.
For a party in a place like Pennington, a tapas spread is easy and sociable. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
Pennington: venues and local tips
Pennington is about 1 mile south-west of Lymington, in Hampshire. For an event in Pennington, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Pennington. Pennington is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire we cover. We cook right across the region, from Pennington to Southampton (about 14 miles away).
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Mark, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Historic buildings near Pennington frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. The New Forest National Park is within about 5 miles of Pennington, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors. The coast is within about a mile, so garlic prawns are popular.
For tapas catering in SO41, we plan around your venue and timings. That could mean an event in a garden on Mead Road, Pound Road and Elm Avenue. We also cook at events in Lymington (1 mile north-east), Lower Pennington (1 mile south), Walhampton (1 mile north-east), Everton (1 mile west) and Lymore (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Totton (12 miles north), Hythe (10 miles north-east), New Milton (5 miles west), Ringwood (12 miles north-west), Locks Heath (15 miles north-east) and Warsash (14 miles north-east).
A little further out are St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery (0.9 miles north-east) and Yarmouth Castle (3.9 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes Nature Reserve.
- Schools near Pennington include Pennington Infant School (within half a mile north)
- Pubs nearby include White Hart Inn (within half a mile north-east)
Dishes our guests love
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic and generally vegetarian.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette served in wedges or squares.
Working with your venue
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so guests are fed quickly. Tell us how long you have for food.
If you are organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we’ll work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
What happens on the day
Your timings come first. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we hold the paella at the right stage so it’s served at its best. At midsummer, it is light in Pennington until about 9:25pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:05pm, are better indoors.
- Tell 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 pack down when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Share the running order, including any speeches
Ask for a quote
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, along with any dietary needs, and we will reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Perfect for your event in Pennington
They’re ideal when a full meal does not fit.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in Pennington and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Evening grazing
- Tapas and paella menus
- Tapas starters
- Birthday drinks
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Lymington Town station, about 1.2 miles north-east.
Comparing caterers
- How long the team stays
- The deadline for final numbers
- Payment terms and deposit
- Whether travel is included
Common questions in Pennington
Can you cook near the sea around Pennington?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
What’s the nearest station to Pennington for guests?
Lymington Town station, about 1.2 miles north-east of the centre.
Do you supply canapé staff?
Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to serve.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, because we use gas burners. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
How do you work out quantities?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Can you cater for children?
Of course. Children often love a simple chicken paella. Tell us how many are coming.
How many different paellas?
Two or three covers most guests. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
How much space do you need?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
Catering for every guest
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Check diets in advance
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Nearby places to Pennington
More for events in Pennington
Before you choose a spot
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but a few things matter:
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Parking near the venue
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before booking.
Menu ideas
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
Should I cook it myself?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. A caterer handles all of that.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Prices and what affects them
There’s nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- Your choice of paellas
- Whether you need crockery
- How many staff you need
- How long we’re needed on site
Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
Getting an accurate quote
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The date and rough timings
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
- 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