Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering for Totton events
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Totton and nearby, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Engagement drinks
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Receptions and drinks parties
Book tapas catering in Totton
Dishes our guests love
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Tapas catering in Totton, made fresh on the day
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. On the menu are patatas bravas, Serrano ham and padrón peppers, and typical bookings are for cocktail parties and birthday drinks.
In Totton, tapas and paella together make a complete menu. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, with each paella cooked in its own pan and clearly labelled.
Totton questions
What about events near the coast?
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 Church of St Winfred?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking generally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, on request. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and we’ll cook a separate pan.
How long do you need on site?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
How much tapas do we need?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Tell us more and we will advise.
Do you take everything away?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
Can you bring crockery?
If you need them, yes. Proper crockery or quality disposables are available.
Do you cater for young children?
Of course. Children often love a simple chicken paella. Tell us how many are coming.
Who books tapas catering in Totton?
They work for any size of event.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Work receptions
- Tapas and paella menus
- Anniversary parties
- Tapas starters
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Totton, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
What to look for in a quote
- Staff numbers and hours
- What the price includes, item by item
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Who provides the crockery
Planning the cooking area
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Permission from the venue
- Parking near the venue
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
Dietary needs and planning tips
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Include staff for canapés
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
Staff keep the canapés coming.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Organising for someone else?
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
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.
Planning a tapas spread in Totton
Totton is about 5 miles west of Southampton, in Hampshire. For an event in Totton, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Totton. Totton is one of 683 places in Hampshire where we cook.
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Winfred, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Guests travelling by rail: Totton station is about 1 mile away. The New Forest National Park is within about 5 miles of Totton, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 5 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Tapas catering in SO40 is planned around your venue and your guests. Whether your event is on High Street, Station Road South and Tedder Way or anywhere nearby, we’ll bring the pans to you. You will find Totton on the A35 and A36, so it is easy for us to reach with the van and pans. For events just outside Totton, we cover Ashurst Bridge (1 mile south-west), Hounsdown (1 mile south), Netley Marsh (1 mile west), Hillstreet (2 miles north) and Woodlands (2 miles south-west). Further out, we also cater in Winchester (13 miles north-east), Eastleigh (8 miles north-east), Fareham (14 miles east), Chandler's Ford (7 miles north-east), Hedge End (9 miles east) and Lymington (11 miles south).
Nearby you’ll also find Tatchbury Mount Hospital (1.3 miles north-west) and Eling Experience (0.8 miles east). The countryside around Totton includes Testwood Lakes.
- Nearby schools include Hounsdown School (1.1 miles south-east)
- Nearby, you will find The Cross Keys Public House (0.8 miles east)
Nearby places to Totton
Also in Totton
DIY paella versus live catering
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
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. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
What happens on the day
Expect a friendly, organised team. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up our cooking area, and get on with cooking and serving. At midsummer, it is light in Totton until about 9:25pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
How to get a price
Not sure what you need yet? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll make suggestions. Start when you are ready: fill in our quote form.
Read more
Is live paella right for your event?
For food that gets people mingling, tapas work brilliantly. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so it helps to tell us about your venue. Everything is confirmed in writing.
What you get with us
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- A clear, itemised quote
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Fast service from the pan
Read Our pricing Or Our guide to catering costs.
- 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