Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Southington, Hampshire
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Southington and Hampshire, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Drinks reception canapés
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Anniversary parties
Tapas catering near Southington
About the dishes
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
About our tapas catering in Southington
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. Popular choices include Serrano ham, patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo, and we are regularly asked to cater office parties and launches and tapas with a paella main course.
Near Southington, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
Perfect for your event in Southington
They work for any size of event.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Anniversary parties
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas starters
- Engagement drinks
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Mary.
What your quote should include
- The venue requirements
- How late numbers can change
- How long the team stays
- How each diet is kept separate
What we need at the venue
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but a few things matter:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Room for a tapas table
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
Popular choices
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
For planners, venues and organisers
Events in public spaces, like parks, normally need permission. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
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 will follow them.
Diets, allergies and planning
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Sangria and bar staff.
Also near Southington
More for events in Southington
Drinks receptions around Southington
Southington is about 8 miles west of Basingstoke, in Hampshire. We cater events at gardens, halls and venues around Southington and the surrounding area. Southington is one of 683 places in Hampshire we cover. You can also see our page for Reading, about 19 miles away.
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Overton station, about 1.1 miles north-east.
We cater events across the RG25 postcode area. Your event could be at a home on Vinns Lane, London Road and Dellands Lane. We also cook at events in Overton (1 mile east), Quidhampton (1 mile north-east), Laverstoke (1 mile south-west), Freefolk (1 mile west) and Wells-in-the-Field (2 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Basingstoke (8 miles east), Winchester (13 miles south), Andover (9 miles west), Alton (14 miles south-east), Tadley (10 miles north-east) and Hook (14 miles east).
Open spaces near Southington include Ladle Hill.
- Pubs nearby include The Greyhound pub (0.5 miles east)
Step by step
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, and we agree where that is before the day. At midsummer, it is light in Southington until about 9:25pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
Ask for a quote
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you are ready, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Your questions about tapas catering in Southington
Is Southington too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Which station should guests use for Southington?
The closest is Overton station, roughly 1.1 miles away.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you are providing the drinks.
Do you supply canapé staff?
Canapés work best with staff serving, which we can supply.
Can you cater for children?
Yes, children are easy to cater for. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we’ll plan a pan with them in mind.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, because we use gas burners. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
Yes, on request. Proper crockery or quality disposables can be added to your booking.
When should we book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so get in touch early.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Generic canapés all look the same. Tapas bring something different. Got a budget? Let us know, and we will put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why book with us
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- A clear, itemised quote
- We cover Southington and the whole of Hampshire
Take a look at Our pricing Or The cost guide.
DIY paella versus live catering
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. 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.
- 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