Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering for Sandy Down events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Sandy Down: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests.
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Live tapas catering in Sandy Down
Tapas catering for your event in Sandy Down
A good spread mixes hot and cold: cold cheese and ham with hot bravas, croquetas and garlic prawns. Popular choices include croquetas, padrón peppers and albóndigas, and we’re regularly asked to cater tapas with a paella main course and drinks parties and receptions.
Near Sandy Down, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated, and served the moment it’s ready.
Receptions and parties in Sandy Down
Sandy Down is about 3 miles north of Lymington, in Hampshire. Whether your event is in the middle of Sandy Down or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Sandy Down is one of 683 places in Hampshire we cover. We cook right across the region, from Sandy Down to Southampton (about 11 miles away).
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St John. For guests coming by train, Brockenhurst station is about 1.6 miles away. Sandy Down is within about 2 miles of the New Forest National Park, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors. The coast is within about 4 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
This part of Hampshire takes in SO41, so your event can be anywhere in it. Whether your event is on Sandy Down, Lower Sandy Down and Hurstly Lane or a nearby road, we will bring the pans to you. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Battramsley (1 mile south), Boldre (1 mile south-east), Mount Pleasant (1 mile south-west), Pilley (1 mile south-east) and Warborne (2 miles south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Eastleigh (15 miles north-east), Totton (9 miles north), Chandler's Ford (15 miles north-east), Hedge End (14 miles north-east), Lymington (3 miles south) and Romsey (14 miles north).
A little further out are Lymington New Forest Hospital (1.9 miles south) and St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery (2.6 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Boldre Foreshore.
- Pubs nearby include The Hobler Public House (less than half a mile south-west)
A closer look at the menu
Tortilla española
Potato omelette cut into bites.
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside.
Paella compared with other options
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why book with us
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
Read Our pricing Or The cost guide.
Where we can cook in Sandy Down
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Space for a serving table or station
- Access to unload near the serving area
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
On the menu in Sandy Down
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
Diets, allergies and planning
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Include staff for canapés
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Check diets in advance
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
Nearby places to Sandy Down
Also in Sandy Down
Should I cook it myself?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
The process
Service is quick: we serve straight from the pan, so even a long queue moves. When service is finished, we pack down. Evening receptions in Sandy Down stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Before we arrive
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Have a level space ready for the pans
Ask for a quote
The quickest way to a quote is to use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Sandy Down, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Planning help
Organising for someone else?
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll talk you through the process. We are happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Your questions about tapas catering in Sandy Down
What about events near the coast?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Is Sandy Down too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
Will there be enough food?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Can you supply plates?
If you need them, yes. Proper crockery or quality disposables are available.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes, children are easy to cater for. Let us know numbers and ages, and we will plan a pan with them in mind.
How long does the paella take?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Yes, tapas work on their own, for receptions, parties and evening food.
How we price tapas catering
We’ll give you a clear, itemised quote. What affects it most:
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Guest numbers
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Travel, parking and access
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What to tell us
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- The date and time of the event
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Anything your venue supplies
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
- 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