Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in St Leonards, Hampshire
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across St Leonards and Hampshire, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Sharing tapas starters
- Engagement drinks
- Welcome-drink canapés
Live tapas catering in St Leonards
About our tapas catering in St Leonards
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, served while the paella cooks, but they’re great on their own. We cook Serrano ham, gambas al ajillo and padrón peppers, and we are frequently booked for office parties and launches and tapas with a paella main course.
Tapas make a party in St Leonards easy and sociable. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
How we price tapas catering
There is nothing hidden: the quote reflects:
- How many guests are eating
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- The paellas you choose
- How long we are needed on site
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
Details that help
To speed things up, tell us:
- Where the event is
- The courses you’d like
- What the venue already provides
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Places near St Leonards
What else we do in St Leonards
Is live paella right for your event?
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why book with us
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- A clear, itemised quote
- Drinks service on request
- We cover St Leonards and the whole of Hampshire
Take a look at Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
Tapas for events in St Leonards
St Leonards is in Hampshire. Events in St Leonards are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. St Leonards is one of 683 places in Hampshire we cover. We cook right across the region, from St Leonards to Southampton (21 miles away).
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like All Saints. Historic buildings near St Leonards frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. The New Forest National Park is within about 7 miles of St Leonards, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
This part of Hampshire takes in BH24, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. We can cater an event on streets such as Cedar Avenue, Birch Close and Malmesbury Road or the roads around them. If your venue is just outside St Leonards, we also cover Ashley Heath (1 mile north), St Ives (1 mile north-east), Matchams (1 mile south-east) and Avon Castle (2 miles east). Larger places within reach include Lymington (14 miles east), New Milton (10 miles south-east), Ringwood (3 miles north-east), Barton on Sea (10 miles south-east), Ashley (10 miles south-east) and Milford on Sea (13 miles south-east).
Well-known places in the area include St Leonard's Hospital (0.9 miles south-west) and Stapehill Abbey (3.9 miles south-west). The countryside around St Leonards includes Linbrook Lake and Blashford Lakes.
Should I cook it myself?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
St Leonards: your questions answered
Could we have live paella in Avon Heath Country Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
Can you cater a reception after a service at All Saints?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Hot tapas are finished on site so they’re served at their best.
Can you cook indoors?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
How long does the paella take?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
Can you do sangria?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you’re providing the drinks.
Do you cook it at the event?
It is. We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook it there and then, serving it hot from the pan.
Do you cater in St Leonards?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, and St Leonards is within our area and the rest of Hampshire. To check your date, use our quote form.
A closer look at the menu
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free.
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Occasions we cook for in St Leonards
They work for any size of event.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Launches and office parties
- Anniversary parties
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Parks such as Avon Heath Country Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
What your quote should include
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- How long the team stays
- Travel and parking costs
What happens on the day
On the day, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so we time everything to your schedule. A summer drinks reception in St Leonards has daylight until about 9:25pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:05pm.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
How to prepare
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
Getting a price
To get a price, fill in our quote form. Tell us about your event in St Leonards, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Planning help
What we need at the venue
Every venue is different, so we’ll ask about yours before we confirm. Generally, we look for:
- Space for a serving table or station
- Unloading access
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
Planners, venues and businesses
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, whether you are a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we’re happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will explain how it works. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
- 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