Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Rowlands Castle, Hampshire
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Rowlands Castle: paella cooked from scratch in huge pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Tapas before paella
- Evening grazing
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Tapas catering in Rowlands Castle
How our tapas catering works in Rowlands Castle
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, as a starter while the rice cooks, but they’re great on their own. On the menu are albóndigas, Manchego with membrillo and tortilla española, and we are frequently booked for tapas with a paella main course and table tapas as a starter.
For a party in a place like Rowlands Castle, a tapas spread is easy and sociable. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, not reheated, and served the moment it’s ready.
Receptions and parties in Rowlands Castle
Rowlands Castle is about 2 miles north-east of Havant, in Hampshire. For tapas catering in Rowlands Castle, we plan around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cover all 683 towns and villages across Hampshire. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 19 miles away.
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like The Church on the Green. Guests travelling by rail: Rowlands Castle has its own station, Rowlands Castle station. The South Downs National Park is within about 7 miles of Rowlands Castle, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
Wherever your event is in PO9, we can bring tapas catering to you. Streets in the area include Stansted Close, College Close and Redhill Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Close by, we cover events in Durrants (1 mile south), Leigh Park (2 miles south-west), Havant (2 miles south-west), Denvilles (2 miles south) and Westbourne (2 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Gosport (10 miles south-west), Fareham (10 miles west), Hedge End (15 miles west), Waterlooville (3 miles west), Petersfield (8 miles north) and Purbrook (3 miles south-west).
A little further out are Havant War Memorial Hospital (2.6 miles south-west) and Havant Museum (2.7 miles south). Not far away are Compton Down and Brook Meadow (Emsworth).
- Nearby, you’ll find Robin Hood Inn (within half a mile north-east)
Paella compared with other options
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
Why us?
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Fast service from the pan
Take a look at Our prices page Or What paella catering costs.
What’s in the pans
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette served in wedges or squares.
Space, weather and the venue
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- A spot for our serving station
- Venue approval for outside catering
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
What we offer
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
Prices and what affects them
There is nothing hidden: the quote reflects:
- Timings and hours
- Distance and access to the venue
- Whether you need crockery
- Your choice of paellas
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
Getting an accurate quote
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Anything your venue supplies
- Expected numbers
- A picture of the space, if you can
Planning tapas catering in Rowlands Castle? Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back with ideas and a quote. To get in touch, send us your details through our quote form.
How the day works
The paella is cooked in giant, shallow pans over gas burners. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, and we agree where that is before the day. Sunset in Rowlands Castle is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- 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.
Preparing for the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
Ask for a quote
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we will make suggestions. To start, fill in our quote form.
Read more
Organising for someone else?
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Nearby places to Rowlands Castle
Also in Rowlands Castle
Common questions in Rowlands Castle
We are having a ceremony at The Church on the Green: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is normally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
How far is Rowlands Castle from London?
Roughly 57 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Which areas do you serve?
We cater across London and the South East, Hampshire included. Find your area.
Do you do starters?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
How many paellas should we have?
Most events have two or three: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We’ll help you decide the split.
Can you cook in the rain?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We will agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, where your guests can watch.
How much tapas do we need?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Give us the details for a suggestion.
Should I cook it myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Diets, allergies and planning
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Ask for labels on each dish
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Add a live paella main.
- 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