Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Rooksdown, Hampshire
Planning tapas catering in Rooksdown? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Table tapas as a starter
- Receptions and drinks parties
Tapas catering in Rooksdown
Should I cook it myself?
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. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
Tapas catering in Rooksdown, cooked live
We finish hot tapas on site, so they arrive hot. We are often asked to cater tapas with a paella main course and anniversary parties, serving Serrano ham, croquetas and padrón peppers.
For a party in a place like Rooksdown, a tapas spread is easy and sociable. The paella is served straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
How the day works
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you’re free to enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first as the rice is cooking. Evening receptions in Rooksdown stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
Get a quote
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We will come back with a clear quote.
Related guides
What we need at the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- A spot for our serving station
- An area to prepare hot tapas
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before booking.
What we offer
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
Rooksdown: venues and local tips
Rooksdown is about 1 mile north-west of Basingstoke, in Hampshire. Whether your event is in the middle of Rooksdown or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cater in 683 places in Hampshire. Our events stretch from Rooksdown to Reading (about 13 miles away).
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Rooksdown, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Historic houses near Rooksdown include The Vyne (2.2 miles north-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
Here we cover the RG24, RG23 and RG26 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. Local streets include Mill Road, The Square and Hasket Road; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. We also cook at events in Winklebury (1 mile south), Sherborne St John (1 mile north-east), Basingstoke (1 mile south-east), Worting (2 miles south-west) and Buckskin (2 miles south). Further out, we also cater in Farnborough (15 miles east), Fleet (12 miles east), Alton (11 miles south-east), Yateley (13 miles east), Tadley (5 miles north) and Hook (7 miles east).
Other landmarks nearby include Willis Museum (1.9 miles south-east) and Park Prewett Hospital (under half a mile south). Open spaces near Rooksdown include Farleigh Hill and Daneshill Park Woods.
- Schools near Rooksdown include Winklebury Infant School (0.8 miles south)
Questions from Rooksdown
How far is Rooksdown from London?
About 47 miles from central London.
We are having a ceremony at The Good Shepherd: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Are the tapas fresh?
We finish hot dishes on site; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Do you supply canapé staff?
Staff make canapés work, which we can supply.
Can you serve drinks?
We can make sangria, and we can staff a bar with your drinks.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
When should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
Why choose live paella in Rooksdown?
Standard canapés can feel samey. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Why us?
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
Read Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
Places near Rooksdown
More for events in Rooksdown
Perfect for your event in Rooksdown
Tapas get people talking, because everyone shares.
In Rooksdown and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Popular bookings include:
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Tapas before paella
- Table tapas as a starter
- Canapés with welcome drinks
After a ceremony at a church such as The Good Shepherd, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Questions to ask before you book
- A clear list of what’s included
- Payment terms and deposit
- The wet-weather plan
- The deadline for final numbers
How we price tapas catering
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Timings and hours
- Distance and access to the venue
- Your choice of paellas
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What to tell us
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Which courses you have in mind
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
For event organisers in Rooksdown
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.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Add sangria or cava
- Check diets in advance
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Ensure dishes are labelled
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Spanish desserts to finish.
- 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