Southampton · England
Tapas Catering in St Mary's
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in St Mary's.
- Cocktail parties
- Engagement celebrations
- Tapas starters
Live tapas catering in St Mary's
Dietary needs and planning tips
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Add sangria or cava
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
Staff keep the canapés coming.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
Tapas catering for your event in St Mary's
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they’re served at their best. Whether it is canapés with welcome drinks and tapas before paella, we can cook Serrano ham, albóndigas and Manchego with membrillo.
In St Mary's, tapas work at home or in a local hall. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it’s hot and generous, and service is quick once it’s ready.
- Where
- St Mary's (SO14, SO15, SO18)
- Region
- Southampton
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
How the day works
A typical event goes like this: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, your guests watch the rice cook, and we serve straight from the pan when you’re ready to eat. At midsummer, it is light in St Mary's until about 9:25pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Leave space around the cooking area
Ask for a quote
Send us the date, your venue or SO14 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
Planning a tapas spread in St Mary's
St Mary's is about 1 mile south of Southampton, in Southampton. Whether your event is in the middle of St Mary's or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. St Mary's is one of 40 towns and villages in Southampton where we cook.
Nearby historic houses include Southampton Tudor House and Garden (0.6 miles south-west) and Medieval Merchant's House (0.6 miles south-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. After a ceremony at a church such as St Mary's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. The New Forest National Park is within about 7 miles of St Mary's, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors. With the sea within about a mile, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
We cater events across the SO14, SO15 and SO18 postcode area. We can cater an event on streets such as New Road, Ogle Road and Marsh Lane. Other places close to St Mary's for tapas catering include Northam (1 mile north-east), Inner Avenue (1 mile north), Peartree Green (1 mile east), Southampton (1 mile north) and Bitterne Manor (1 mile north-east). Larger places within reach include Chartwell Green (3 miles north-east), Harefield (3 miles east), Maybush (3 miles north-west), Coxford (3 miles north-west), Lordswood (3 miles north-west) and Eling (4 miles west).
A little further out are Netley Castle (2.5 miles south-east) and Bargate Guildhall Museum (within half a mile south-west). Not far away are Netley Common.
- Schools near St Mary's include Inspire Enterprise Academy (less than half a mile south-east) and Woolston School (1.4 miles south-east)
- Local pubs include The Joiners pub (under half a mile south)
DIY paella versus live catering
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
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.
About the dishes
Patatas bravas
Always popular and generally vegetarian.
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Prices and what affects them
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Your choice of paellas
- Distance and access to the venue
- How many guests are eating
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Details that help
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Try to include:
- Where the event is
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
Not sure what you need yet? That’s fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: use our quote form.
Space, weather and the venue
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Parking near the venue
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before booking.
On the menu in St Mary's
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
Also near St Mary's
More for events in St Mary's
Events we cater in St Mary's
They’re ideal when a full meal does not fit.
In St Mary's and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Popular bookings include:
- Engagement drinks
- Evening grazing
- Launches and office parties
- Receptions and drinks parties
If you are looking at a historic venue around St Mary's, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Before booking anyone
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- When final numbers are due
- The wet-weather plan
- Whether travel is included
Your questions about tapas catering in St Mary's
We’re having a ceremony at St Mary's Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is normally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you cook near the sea around St Mary's?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Can you supply plates?
If you need them, yes. Proper crockery or quality disposables can be added to your booking.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain doesn’t stop us, as long as there’s a ventilated cover. We’ll talk it through before the day.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we take the right care.
Will there be enough food?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
How much does tapas catering cost in St Mary's?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Organising for someone else?
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
- 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