Hampshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Test Valley, Hampshire
Something for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Test Valley.
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Table tapas as a starter
- Drinks reception canapés
Tapas catering for Test Valley events
Catering for every guest
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Collect dietary needs
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Serving boards and crockery.
Tapas catering in Test Valley, made fresh on the day
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, as a starter while the rice cooks, but they’re great on their own. We are frequently asked to cater cocktail parties and evening sharing boards, with Serrano ham, padrón peppers and patatas bravas.
Near Test Valley, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, never made in advance and reheated, and served the moment it is ready.
Towns and villages near Test Valley
Other catering in Test Valley
Why choose live paella in Test Valley?
Tapas are flexible, so they fit most plans. The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why us?
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Catering across Hampshire, including Test Valley
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
Read How we price Or Our guide to catering costs.
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns with a little chilli.
Should I cook it myself?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it is in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Your questions about tapas catering in Test Valley
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St James?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is typically elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Do you come out to small places like Test Valley?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
How many tapas per person?
It depends on whether they’re a starter, canapés or the whole meal. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest quantities.
How much paella per person?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Tell us what else is being served. Our guide to portions explains more.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. We arrive with everything we need and cook on the day, serving it hot from the pan.
Do you have vegetarian tapas?
Lots. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
How much is live paella catering?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas for a clear quote.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, if you need them. Let us know what you have, and we will quote for the rest.
What we need at the venue
Before the day, we will agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- An area to prepare hot tapas
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before you book.
What we offer
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
Planners, venues and businesses
Hosting a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Step by step
The paella is cooked in giant, shallow pans over gas burners. We need a level, ventilated spot, and we agree where that is before the day. Evening receptions in Test Valley stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- 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.
Before we arrive
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Leave space around the cooking area
Getting a price
To get a price, use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will put together a menu and price.
Read more
Drinks receptions around Test Valley
Test Valley is about 7 miles north of Andover, in Hampshire. From the centre of Test Valley to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Test Valley is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire where we cook. Our events stretch from Test Valley to Reading (about 22 miles away).
Historic houses near Test Valley include Stargroves (2.7 miles north) and Highclere Castle (3.3 miles east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
For tapas catering in SP11, we plan around your venue and your guests. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Ashmansworth (1 mile east), Vernham Street (3 miles west), Upper Green (4 miles north), Inkpen Common (5 miles north) and Hell Corner (5 miles north). We also cook in nearby towns such as Basingstoke (15 miles east), Andover (7 miles south), Tadley (13 miles east), Popley (15 miles east), Tidworth (11 miles south-west) and Kempshott (13 miles east).
Not far away are Pilot Hill.
Occasions we cook for in Test Valley
They’re the classic starter before paella.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in Test Valley book us for occasions like:
- Cocktail parties
- Anniversary parties
- Table tapas as a starter
- Canapés with welcome drinks
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St James, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Comparing caterers
- What happens if it rains
- Space, access and power needs
- Allergen information for each dish
- VAT, if it applies
- 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