Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering in Tiptoe
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 turns food into part of your event in Tiptoe.
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Tapas and paella menus
- Sharing boards for evening guests
Book tapas catering in Tiptoe
Step by step
Watching it cook is half the fun. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring. A summer drinks reception in Tiptoe has daylight until about 9:25pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it is dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:05pm.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
How to prepare
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
How to get a price
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Tapas catering in Tiptoe, cooked live
The best spreads mix hot and cold: cold cheese and ham with hot bravas, croquetas and garlic prawns. Typical bookings include tapas with a paella main course and launches and office parties, serving croquetas, Manchego with membrillo and Serrano ham.
For a country party near Tiptoe, tapas and sangria set the mood. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
Working with your venue
Events in public spaces, like parks, typically need permission. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
If you are 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.
Should I cook it myself?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it is in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
What’s in the pans
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Patatas bravas
Always popular and usually vegetarian.
Before you choose a spot
We will be honest if a space will not work, and help find another spot. The main points are:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Access to unload near the serving area
- A spot for our serving station
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before you book.
On the menu in Tiptoe
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
Dietary needs and planning tips
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Label seafood clearly
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Include staff for canapés
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Add a live paella main.
Planning a tapas spread in Tiptoe
Tiptoe is about 4 miles north-west of Lymington, in Hampshire. Whether your event is in the middle of Tiptoe or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Tiptoe is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire we cover. We cook right across the region, from Tiptoe to Southampton (about 14 miles away).
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Sway station, about 1 mile north-east. Nearby historic houses include Highcliffe Castle (4.6 miles south-west) and Avon Tyrrell House (5 miles west). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Tiptoe is within about 4 miles of the New Forest National Park, ideal for an outdoor reception. With the sea within about 5 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
For tapas catering in SO41, we plan around your venue. Streets in the area include Middle Road, Crabbswood Lane and Wootton Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Nearby, we also cater events in Mead End (1 mile north), Sway (1 mile north-east), Bashley (1 mile west), Ashley (1 mile south-west) and Hordle (2 miles south). We also cook in nearby towns such as Totton (11 miles north-east), Lymington (4 miles south-east), Hythe (12 miles north-east), Ringwood (8 miles north-west), Barton on Sea (3 miles south-west) and Dibden Purlieu (11 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum (2.1 miles south-west) and Highcliffe Castle (4.6 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Milford on Sea LNR.
- Nearby schools include The Arnewood School (2.4 miles south-west)
- Pubs nearby include The Plough Public House (0.5 miles south-west)
Paella compared with other options
Standard canapés can feel samey. Tapas bring something different. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Why book with us
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Real theatre, not just catering
- We cover Tiptoe and the whole of Hampshire
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
FAQs for Tiptoe
Can you cook near the sea around Tiptoe?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Andrew?
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. Send us the reception address.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you’re providing the drinks.
Do you do desserts?
We can add a dessert. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
Can you cook in the rain?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We’ll make a plan B with you.
Which areas do you serve?
We cover London and the South East, Hampshire included. See all areas.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
How many tapas per person?
It depends on whether they’re a starter, canapés or the whole meal. We will suggest quantities for your event.
What else we do in Tiptoe
Who books tapas catering in Tiptoe?
They suit standing receptions where a full meal does not fit.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in Tiptoe book us for events such as:
- Evening sharing boards
- Tapas before paella
- Sharing tapas starters
- Birthday drinks
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Tiptoe, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
What your quote should include
- How long the team stays
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- Space, access and power needs
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- 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