Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Privett, Hampshire
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Privett: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests.
- Cocktail parties
- Sharing tapas starters
- Tapas before paella
Tapas catering near Privett
Tapas catering in Privett, cooked live
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. Typical bookings include tapas before paella and welcome-drink canapés, with tortilla española, croquetas and padrón peppers.
Tapas make a party in Privett easy and sociable. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated, and served as soon as it’s ready.
Step by step
When the rice goes in, it’s left alone. That is how the grains cook evenly and the toasted base, the socarrat, forms. The smell usually draws people over. At midsummer, it is light in Privett until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
How to prepare
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
Getting a price
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
About the dishes
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free.
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather be with your guests, we’ll do the cooking.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Dietary needs and planning tips
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Tell us what role tapas play
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Nearby places to Privett
Other catering in Privett
Drinks receptions around Privett
Privett is about 1 mile south-west of Gosport, in Hampshire. We bring tapas catering to gardens, halls and venues around Privett and the surrounding area. We cook in 683 places in Hampshire. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 13 miles away.
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St Faith's Church. For guests coming by train, Portsmouth Harbour station is about 2.3 miles away. The coast is within about 4 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Here we cover the PO12 and PO13 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. That could mean an event in a garden on Bay Road, Gomer Lane and Vectis Road. Nearby, we also cater events in Alverstoke (1 mile south-east), Clayhall (1 mile south-east), Haslar (2 miles south-east), Portsmouth Point (2 miles east) and Portsea (2 miles east). Further out, we also cater in Havant (9 miles north-east), Eastleigh (14 miles north-west), Fareham (4 miles north), Horndean (10 miles north-east), Hedge End (10 miles north-west) and Waterlooville (8 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Tricorn Centre (3.1 miles east) and Search (1.5 miles east). The countryside around Privett includes West of the River Alver and Portsdown Hill.
- Local schools include Bay House School (0.5 miles south) and St Vincent College (1.2 miles east)
- Nearby, you will find Wiltshire Lamb pub (0.5 miles east)
Privett questions
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Faith's Church?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Is Privett close to London?
Roughly 67 miles from the centre of London.
How do you work out quantities?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Give us the details for a suggestion.
Are the tapas served hot?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away; cold tapas are laid out as guests arrive.
Do you come to Privett?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, including Privett and the rest of Hampshire. To check your date, use our quote form.
What does tapas catering cost?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we will send a quote.
How long do you need on site?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Of course. Tapas can be booked without paella.
Events we cater in Privett
They make a perfect starter before paella.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Sharing tapas starters
- Cocktail parties
Historic buildings near Privett frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
Comparing caterers
- The deadline for final numbers
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Whether travel is included
What we need at the venue
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space when you get in touch. In general, we need:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- A spot for our serving station
- Venue approval for outside catering
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
How we price tapas catering
These are the factors that matter most:
- The paellas you choose
- How long we’re needed on site
- Waiting and bar staff
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
What we need to know
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Where the event is
- What the venue already provides
- The courses you’d like
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you are ready, fill in our quote form.
For planners, venues and organisers
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
If you’re organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It saves passing messages back and forth.
- 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