Southampton · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Rownhams, Southampton
Something for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Rownhams.
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Table tapas as a starter
- Drinks parties and receptions
Tapas catering in Rownhams
About our tapas catering in Rownhams
A good spread mixes hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. For canapés with welcome drinks and tapas and paella menus, we’ll put together a menu of gambas al ajillo, Serrano ham and Manchego with membrillo.
For a party in a place like Rownhams, a tapas spread is easy and sociable. We serve straight from the pan, so it is hot and generous, and service is quick once it is ready.
- Location
- Rownhams (SO16)
- Region
- Southampton
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Dietary needs and planning tips
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Tell us what role tapas play
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Staff to serve canapés.
Paella compared with other options
Nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What you get with us
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Events in Rownhams and across Southampton
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
Read Our prices page And The cost guide.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
What happens on the day
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you can enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first as the rice is cooking. At midsummer, it is light in Rownhams until about 9:25pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- 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 pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Getting a price
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.
Read more
Also in Rownhams
Prices and what affects them
There’s nothing hidden: the quote reflects:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- The length of service
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Guest numbers
Larger events typically cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What to tell us
To check availability and price, we need:
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- The venue or postcode
- Your date and when you want to eat
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you’re ready, send us your details through our quote form.
About the dishes
Tortilla española
Potato omelette served in wedges or squares.
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat, often with ham or mushroom.
Occasions we cook for in Rownhams
They’re easy to eat with a drink in hand.
Whatever you’re celebrating in Rownhams, live paella can be the centrepiece. We often cook for:
- Work receptions
- Evening sharing boards
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Engagement celebrations
Historic buildings near Rownhams often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
Questions to ask before booking
- How long the team stays
- The venue requirements
- How bad weather is handled
- Exactly what’s included in the price
Planners, venues and businesses
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Your questions about tapas catering in Rownhams
Can you cook in St James' Park?
Only if the landowner, typically the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
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 far ahead should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Popular dates book up first, so contact us early.
Do you take everything away?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
How much is live paella catering?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
What space do you need to cook?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
Do you do vegan paella?
Of course. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in a separate pan.
Rownhams: venues and local tips
Rownhams is about 3 miles north-east of Totton, in Southampton. We cook at events in gardens, halls and venues around Rownhams and nearby villages. Rownhams is one of 40 places in Southampton where we cook.
Nearby historic houses include South Stoneham House (3.5 miles east) and Southampton Tudor House and Garden (4 miles south-east). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Parks such as St James' Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. The New Forest National Park is within about 8 miles of Rownhams, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors. The coast is within about 5 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Here we cover the SO16 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. Streets in the area include Rownhams Way, Horns Drove and Rownhams Close, and we can cook for an event on any of them. We also cook at events in Upton (1 mile west), Nursling (1 mile south-west), Hillyfields (1 mile south-west), Lordswood (1 mile south-east) and Toothill (1 mile north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Southampton (3 miles south-east), Townhill Park (4 miles east), Midanbury (4 miles east), Thornhill (6 miles south-east), Chartwell Green (5 miles east) and Harefield (5 miles south-east).
A little further out are Marlands Shopping Centre (3.7 miles south-east) and Princess Anne Hospital (1.3 miles south-east). The countryside around Rownhams includes Testwood Lakes.
- Schools near Rownhams include Oasis Academy Lord's Hill (0.6 miles south) and Oaklands Community School (0.6 miles south)
- Parks and local facilities nearby include Romsey Extra (2.8 miles north-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