Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering in Rockford
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Rockford and across Hampshire.
- Table tapas as a starter
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Planning an event in Rockford?
Tapas catering in Rockford, cooked live
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. Typical bookings include engagement celebrations and office parties and launches, with Manchego with membrillo, croquetas and padrón peppers.
In a rural spot like Rockford, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
For planners, venues and organisers
Events in public spaces, like parks, normally need permission. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Step by step
Once the rice is in, we don’t stir it. That’s what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. The smell usually draws people over. At midsummer, it’s light in Rockford until about 9:25pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:05pm.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
Ask for a quote
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll make suggestions. To start, use our quote form.
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Towns and villages near Rockford
More for events in Rockford
Perfect for your event in Rockford
They cover lots of tastes and diets in one spread.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Drinks reception canapés
- Work receptions
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Engagement drinks
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Martins.
What to look for in a quote
- The wet-weather plan
- How late numbers can change
- Who provides the crockery
- VAT, if it applies
Planning a tapas spread in Rockford
Rockford is in Hampshire. Anywhere in BH24, we can bring the pans to you. Rockford is one of 683 places in Hampshire we cover. Our events stretch from Rockford to Southampton (17 miles away).
Historic buildings near Rockford frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. Rockford is within about 5 miles of the New Forest National Park, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Here we cover the BH24 postcode area, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. For events just outside Rockford, we cover Highwood (1 mile south-east), Blashford (1 mile south-west), Ibsley (1 mile north-west), Mockbeggar (1 mile north) and Ellingham (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include Totton (12 miles east), Lymington (13 miles south-east), Romsey (15 miles north-east), New Milton (10 miles south-east), Barton on Sea (10 miles south-east) and Marchwood (14 miles east).
Nearby you’ll also find St Leonard's Hospital (5.4 miles south-west) and Fordingbridge Doll Museum (3.7 miles north). The countryside around Rockford includes Linbrook Lake and Blashford Lakes.
- Nearby schools include Ringwood School Academy (1.9 miles south)
- Local pubs include Alice Lisle Inn (within half a mile south-west)
What we need at the venue
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Room for a tapas table
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Menu ideas
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
What affects the price in Rockford
Every event is priced individually, and the price depends on a few things:
- Your choice of paellas
- Waiting and bar staff
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Guest numbers
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
What we need to know
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- Where the event is
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- The date and rough timings
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, along with any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Questions from Rockford
Do you cater in the New Forest National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will follow the site rules.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Martins?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
How much does tapas catering cost in Rockford?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers and we’ll reply with a price.
Will there be enough food?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.
Can you provide dessert?
We can add a dessert. Let us know if you’d like one when you ask for a quote.
How much space do you need?
Less than you might think: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. If in doubt, send a photo.
Should I cook it myself?
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
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 enjoy the party, let us cook.
Diets, allergies and planning
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Label seafood clearly
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Add sangria or cava
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Bar staff and sangria.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. There’s 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. Your quote spells it all out.
Why us?
- A clear, itemised quote
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Catering across Hampshire, including Rockford
Read How we price Or What paella catering costs.
- 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