Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Roughdown, Hampshire
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Roughdown and across Hampshire.
- Evening grazing
- Launches and office parties
- Tapas before paella
Planning an event in Roughdown?
Tapas catering for your event in Roughdown
Sangria and bar staff can be added, for a complete drinks and tapas package. We cook Serrano ham, patatas bravas and croquetas, and we are regularly asked to cater tapas before paella and receptions and drinks parties.
Near Roughdown, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, each in a separate pan and clearly labelled.
Why choose tapas catering in Roughdown?
They cover lots of tastes and diets in one spread.
If you are planning any of these, we can help:
- Launches and office parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas starters
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Nearby historic houses include Beaulieu Palace House (2.7 miles west). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Before booking anyone
- The deadline for final numbers
- The venue requirements
- When payment is due
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
Planners, venues and businesses
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Prices and what affects them
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, depending on:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- The paellas you choose
- Distance and access to the venue
- Timings and hours
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What to tell us
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- Where the event is
- Anything your venue supplies
- The date and rough timings
- Which courses you have in mind
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, send us your details through our quote form.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s 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.
Planning for every diet
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Include staff for canapés
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Ask for labels on each dish
Canapés circulate with drinks.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
How the day works
We work to your timings. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we hold the paella at the right stage so it’s served at its best. Sunset in Roughdown is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Preparing for the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Give us a contact for the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
Get a quote
Still deciding on the menu? That’s fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. Start when you’re ready: send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Also near Roughdown
Other catering in Roughdown
Drinks receptions around Roughdown
Roughdown is about 3 miles south of Hythe, in Hampshire. From the centre of Roughdown to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Roughdown is one of 683 places in Hampshire we cover. We cook right across the region, from Roughdown to Southampton (about 7 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Netley station, about 4.3 miles north-east. Historic buildings near Roughdown frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. Roughdown is within about 3 miles of the New Forest National Park, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 5 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
We cover events in every part of SO45. Other places close to Roughdown for tapas catering include Holbury (1 mile north), Blackfield (1 mile east), Little Holbury (1 mile north), Langley (1 mile south-east) and Hardley (1 mile north). We also cook in nearby towns such as Gosport (10 miles east), Eastleigh (10 miles north), Fareham (9 miles east), Totton (9 miles north-west), Chandler's Ford (11 miles north) and Hedge End (8 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Beaulieu Abbey And Display Of Monastic Life (2.9 miles west) and Calshot Castle (3.5 miles east). Open spaces near Roughdown include Mercury Marshes.
- Schools near Roughdown include The New Forest Academy (1.2 miles north)
About the dishes
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil.
Patatas bravas
Always popular.
Roughdown: your questions answered
We’re 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 normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
What about events near the coast?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
How do you work out quantities?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Children are welcome. Let us know numbers and ages, and we will plan a pan with them in mind.
When should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Popular dates book up first, so it pays to ask early.
Who clears up?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Can you cook indoors?
Generally we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we’ll check with you and the venue.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
Yes, on request. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables are available.
Planning the cooking area
Every venue is different, so we will ask about yours when you get in touch. Generally, we look for:
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Permission from the venue
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before you book.
Popular choices
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- 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