Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering in Upham
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Upham.
- Office parties and launches
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Sharing tapas starters
Tapas catering in Upham
Should I cook it myself?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. 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.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. 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.
Tapas catering in Upham, cooked live
A good spread mixes hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. Popular choices include croquetas, tortilla española and Manchego with membrillo, and typical bookings are for engagement drinks and table tapas as a starter.
Near Upham, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. We serve straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
What’s in the pans
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Dietary needs and planning tips
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Add sangria or cava
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Receptions and parties in Upham
Upham is about 5 miles east of Eastleigh, in Hampshire. From the centre of Upham to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cover all 683 towns and villages across Hampshire. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 8 miles away.
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Mary. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Hedge End station, about 4.4 miles south-west.
Anywhere in SO32, we can bring tapas catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. That could mean an event in a garden on Church Street, Shoe Lane and Widlers Lane or the roads around them. We also cook at events in Ashton (1 mile south-east), Lower Upham (1 mile south-west), Wintershill (2 miles south-west), Durley Street (2 miles south-west) and Bishop's Waltham (2 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Winchester (6 miles north-west), Gosport (13 miles south), Havant (14 miles south-east), Eastleigh (5 miles west), Fareham (9 miles south) and Horndean (11 miles south-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Moorgreen Hospital (5.4 miles south-west) and Bishop's Waltham Museum (2.1 miles south). Open spaces near Upham include Bishops Waltham Branch LNR and Beacon Hill.
- Local pubs include Brushmakers Arms (within half a mile north-east)
Who books tapas catering in Upham?
They’re easy to eat with a drink in hand.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Launches and office parties
- Tapas starters
- Anniversary parties
- Evening grazing
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Upham, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Before you book anyone
- When final numbers are due
- Whether travel is included
- When payment is due
- VAT, if it applies
Planners, venues and businesses
Hosting a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we will tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so guests are fed quickly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Why choose live paella in Upham?
Tapas are flexible, so they fit most plans. Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
Why choose Love Paella in Upham
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- A clear, itemised quote
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
Take a look at How we price Or The cost guide.
The process
The cooking is part of the entertainment. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring while your guests chat. A summer drinks reception in Upham has daylight until about 9:25pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Getting ready for the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Check the venue allows live cooking
Getting a price
Planning tapas catering in Upham? Send us the details and we will come back with ideas and a quote. To get in touch, use our quote form.
Planning help
Also in Upham
Planning the cooking area
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We look for:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Parking near the venue
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
On the menu in Upham
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
Upham: your questions answered
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Mary?
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. Tell us where the reception will be.
Is Upham close to London?
Roughly 61 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
What about pudding?
We do. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
How do you work out quantities?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
How many tapas per person?
That depends on their role in the meal. Tell us about the event and we will suggest quantities.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Of course. Tapas and canapés can be booked on their own.
Can you cook indoors?
Normally we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
What does tapas catering cost?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
- 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