Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering for Romsey events
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Romsey and the surrounding area.
- Office parties and launches
- Evening sharing boards
- Table tapas as a starter
Planning an event in Romsey?
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it is in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
How our tapas catering works in Romsey
Tapas pair naturally with a live paella, as a starter while the rice cooks, but they work on their own too. We are frequently asked to cater birthday drinks and launches and office parties, with albóndigas, gambas al ajillo and padrón peppers.
In Romsey, tapas and paella together make a complete menu. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in a separate pan and clearly labelled.
How it works
A typical event goes like this: we arrive, set up and start cooking, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and it’s served hot from the pan at the agreed time. At midsummer, it’s light in Romsey until about 9:25pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- Tell 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 pack down when service ends.
Preparing for the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
How to get a price
It is easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll come back with a clear quote.
Planning help
Questions from Romsey
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Swithun's Church?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Is Romsey close to London?
Roughly 69 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
What if the weather’s bad?
We cook under cover, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, while the rice is cooking.
Do you have vegetarian tapas?
Lots. Tortilla, bravas and Manchego are popular vegetarian choices.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Of course. Tapas can be booked without paella.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
Why choose live paella in Romsey?
Nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Larger events typically 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 you get with us
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Catering across Hampshire, including Romsey
- Served hot, straight from the pan
Take a look at Our pricing And The cost guide.
Planning the cooking area
Before the day, we will agree where we cook. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- A spot for our serving station
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Unloading access
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
Popular choices
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
Nearby places to Romsey
What else we do in Romsey
Perfect for your event in Romsey
Tapas get people talking, because everyone shares.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in Romsey book us for occasions like:
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Table tapas as a starter
Historic buildings near Romsey often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue.
Questions to ask before booking
- Staff numbers and hours
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- Space, access and power needs
- Whether travel is included
For event organisers in Romsey
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Romsey? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
Hosting a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we will tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Dishes our guests love
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns with a little chilli.
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
What tapas catering costs
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- Timings and hours
- Parking and unloading
- How many guests are eating
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Details that help
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but these help:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The venue or postcode
- What the venue already provides
The quickest way to a quote is to fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Romsey: venues and local tips
Romsey is about 6 miles west of Eastleigh, in Hampshire. From the centre of Romsey to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Romsey is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire where we cook. Our events stretch from Romsey to Southampton (6 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Mottisfont Abbey (4 miles north-west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Romsey station, about 0.5 miles west.
We cater events across the SO51 postcode area. Streets in the area include Station Road, Corn Market and Ashley Meadows, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Romsey is on the A27 and A3057, so it is easy for us to reach with the van and pans. Nearby, we also cater events in North Baddesley (2 miles south-east), Toothill (2 miles south), Ashfield (2 miles south), Lee (2 miles south) and Upton (3 miles south). Further out, we also cater in Winchester (8 miles north-east), Eastleigh (6 miles east), Andover (15 miles north), Totton (5 miles south), Chandler's Ford (4 miles east) and Hedge End (9 miles south-east).
A little further out are Romsey Extra (1.4 miles south-west) and Romsey Community Hospital (less than half a mile south). Not far away are Emer Bog and Baddesley Common.
- Nearby schools include The Mountbatten School (0.9 miles south-east) and The Romsey School (0.9 miles west)
- Local pubs include Bishop Blaize Public House (0.5 miles south-west)
- 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