Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Swanwick, Hampshire
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Swanwick and Hampshire, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Engagement drinks
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Evening sharing boards
Tapas catering near Swanwick
Planning the cooking area
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
Tapas catering in Swanwick, cooked live
The best spreads mix hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. On the menu are croquetas, gambas al ajillo and albóndigas, and we are frequently booked for cocktail parties and table tapas as a starter.
For a country party near Swanwick, tapas and sangria set the mood. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
How the day works
When the rice goes in, it’s left alone. That is what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. Your guests will smell it before they see it. A summer drinks reception in Swanwick has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
Ask for a quote
To get a price, fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll put together a menu and price.
Related guides
Events we cater in Swanwick
Tapas get people talking.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in Swanwick book us for events such as:
- Work receptions
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Engagement parties
For guests coming by train, Bursledon station is about 0.8 miles away.
What your quote should include
- Allergen information for each dish
- The deadline for final numbers
- The deposit and payment dates
- How long the team stays
Should I cook it myself?
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Swanwick questions
What’s the nearest station to Swanwick for guests?
The closest is Bursledon station, roughly 0.8 miles away.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Paul?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Is halal food available?
Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in its own pan.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, while the rice is cooking.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three is usual: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We will suggest a split based on your guests.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria, yes. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, in front of your guests.
Drinks receptions around Swanwick
Swanwick is about 2 miles south of Hedge End, in Hampshire. Whether your event is in the middle of Swanwick or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Swanwick is one of 683 places in Hampshire we cover.
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Swanwick, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Paul. The coast is within about 2 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Wherever your event is in SO31 and PO15, we can bring tapas catering to you. Streets in the area include Walpole Lane, Ashby Mews and Swanwick Lane, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Close by, we cover events in Lower Swanwick (1 mile north-west), Sarisbury (1 mile south-east), Park Gate (1 mile south-east), Burridge (1 mile north-east) and Sarisbury Green (1 mile south). We also cook in nearby towns such as Winchester (12 miles north), Gosport (8 miles south-east), Havant (13 miles east), Eastleigh (6 miles north-west), Fareham (4 miles south-east) and Horndean (12 miles east).
Other landmarks nearby include Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum (within half a mile north) and St Andrew's Castle (2.4 miles south-west). Not far away are Swanwick Lakes.
- Nearby schools include Brookfield Community School and Language College (1.2 miles south)
- Local pubs include The Old Ship Inn (within half a mile west)
How we price tapas catering
These are the factors that matter most:
- How long we’re needed on site
- How many staff you need
- Guest numbers
- Travel, parking and access
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before you book.
Getting an accurate quote
These details help us quote quickly:
- The date and rough timings
- Which courses you have in mind
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Where the event is
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, use our quote form.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. We itemise everything in your quote.
Why Swanwick hosts choose us
- We cover Swanwick and the whole of Hampshire
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
See Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
Towns and villages near Swanwick
More for events in Swanwick
Organising for someone else?
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so guests are fed quickly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Catering for every guest
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Here’s how:
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Afterwards, we clear away.
Bar staff and sangria.
- 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