Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in St Mary Bourne, Hampshire
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella turns food into part of your event in St Mary Bourne.
- Birthday drinks
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Work receptions
Planning an event in St Mary Bourne?
How our tapas catering works in St Mary Bourne
We finish hot tapas on site, so they’re served at their best. We are often asked to cater engagement parties and tapas and paella menus, serving padrón peppers, Serrano ham and gambas al ajillo.
Near St Mary Bourne, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
What tapas catering costs
Every event is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- How many guests are eating
- Travel, parking and access
- The length of service
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What we need to know
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- Expected numbers
- The date and rough timings
- A picture of where we’d cook
- The address or venue name
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can use our quote form.
What we need at the venue
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We look for:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Space on each table
- Unloading access
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
Menu ideas
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
The menu, dish by dish
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Towns and villages near St Mary Bourne
More for events in St Mary Bourne
St Mary Bourne: venues and local tips
St Mary Bourne is about 5 miles north-east of Andover, in Hampshire. We cook at events in gardens, halls and venues around St Mary Bourne and the surrounding area. We cook in 683 places across Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from St Mary Bourne to Reading (23 miles away).
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Peter. Historic buildings near St Mary Bourne frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
We cover events in every part of SP11. Local streets include Spring Hill Lane, Springhill and Bells Meadow; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Binley (2 miles north), Wadwick (2 miles north-east), Hurstbourne Priors (3 miles south), Cole Henley (3 miles east) and Whitchurch (3 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Basingstoke (13 miles east), Winchester (14 miles south), Andover (5 miles south-west), Tadley (13 miles north-east), Hyde (13 miles south) and Popley (14 miles east).
Nearby you will also find Finkley Down Farm Museum (3.2 miles south-west) and Andover War Memorial Hospital (4.9 miles south-west). The countryside around St Mary Bourne includes Sidown Hill and Anton Lakes.
- Local pubs include Coronation Arms (within half a mile west)
Catering for every guest
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Add sangria or cava
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Who books tapas catering in St Mary Bourne?
They’re the classic starter before paella.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in St Mary Bourne book us for events such as:
- Drinks reception canapés
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Birthday drinks
- Office parties and launches
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Whitchurch (Hampshire) station, about 2.9 miles south-east.
Comparing caterers
- The wet-weather plan
- Allergen information for each dish
- How long the team stays
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
Why choose live paella in St Mary Bourne?
Standard canapés can feel samey. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
What you get with us
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
Take a look at How we price And The cost guide.
FAQs for St Mary Bourne
Which station should guests use for St Mary Bourne?
The closest is Whitchurch (Hampshire) station, roughly 2.9 miles away.
Is St Mary Bourne too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Do you do desserts?
Yes. Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Lots. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
Can we add drinks?
We can add sangria and bar staff.
Do you supply canapé staff?
Canapés work best with staff serving, which we can supply.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
How it works
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Guests usually gather round to watch while it cooks. At midsummer, it is light in St Mary Bourne until about 9:25pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
Ask for a quote
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in St Mary Bourne? Send us the details and we will come back with ideas and a quote. Just use our quote form.
Related guides
- 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