Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering for South Town events
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in South Town. We cook from scratch on site, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas before paella
- Cocktail parties
Book tapas catering in South Town
How the day works
When the rice goes in, it is left alone. That’s what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. The smell normally draws people over. A summer drinks reception in South Town has daylight until about 9:25pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Let us know the timings for the day
How to get a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Related guides
Tapas catering in South Town, cooked live
For standing receptions, canapés work best; table tapas suit seated meals. Many events have both. Typical bookings include tapas with a paella main course and work receptions, serving gambas al ajillo, padrón peppers and tortilla española.
Near South Town, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
For planners, venues and organisers
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Why choose live paella in South Town?
Tapas are flexible, which makes them easy to plan around. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Why South Town hosts choose us
- We cover South Town and the whole of Hampshire
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Fast service from the pan
- A quote that spells everything out
Read Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
More for events in South Town
The menu, dish by dish
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns with a little chilli.
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free.
Diets, allergies and planning
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Waiting staff for canapés.
What tapas catering costs
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- Whether you need crockery
- How many staff you need
- How many courses
- The length of service
The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Getting an accurate quote
To check availability and price, we need:
- Your date and when you want to eat
- The courses you’d like
- Expected numbers
- The venue or postcode
The quickest way to a quote is to fill in our quote form. Tell us about your event in South Town, and we will put together a menu and price.
Common questions in South Town
Which station should guests use for South Town?
Alton station, about 4.5 miles east of the centre.
Is South Town close to London?
Roughly 49 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Do you cook inside?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we’ll check with you and the venue.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Yes, tapas work on their own.
How much is live paella catering?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers and we will reply with a price.
How soon do we need to book?
The sooner the better. Popular dates book up first, so contact us early.
Can you provide dessert?
We do. Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.
Planning a tapas spread in South Town
South Town is about 4 miles west of Alton, in Hampshire. We cater events at homes, gardens and venues in South Town and nearby villages. We cover 683 places across Hampshire. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 20 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Alton station is about 4.5 miles away. Nearby historic houses include Bentworth Hall (1.4 miles north-east) and Hall Place (1.9 miles north). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
Anywhere in GU34, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. That could mean an event in a garden on High Street, Church Lane and Green Stile. Nearby, we also cater events in New Copse (1 mile north), Hattingley (1 mile west), Medstead (1 mile south-east), Soldridge (1 mile south) and Holt End (1 mile north). Larger places within reach include Basingstoke (10 miles north), Winchester (12 miles south-west), Fleet (14 miles north-east), Horndean (15 miles south), Alton (4 miles east) and Petersfield (10 miles south-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Barton Castle (2.2 miles west) and Alton Community Hospital (3.4 miles east). Not far away are King's Hill.
Before you choose a spot
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- Unloading access
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
On the menu in South Town
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- 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