Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering in West Town
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in West Town and nearby, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Work receptions
- Engagement drinks
- Tapas starters
Live tapas catering in West Town
Tapas catering for your event in West Town
Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. For tapas starters and launches and office parties, we can cook tortilla española, Serrano ham and padrón peppers and more.
In West Town, tapas work at home or in a local hall. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Most events have a mix of diets. To cater well for them:
- Collect dietary needs
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
Tapas go out to the tables.
Serving boards and crockery.
Tapas for events in West Town
West Town is about 1 mile west of South Hayling, in Hampshire. Give us the address of your event in West Town, and we’ll plan access and set-up. West Town is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire we cover. Our events stretch from West Town to Southampton (about 20 miles away).
Historic houses near West Town include Warblington Castle (3.9 miles north). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Historic buildings near West Town frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. With the sea within about a mile, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
We cover events in every part of the PO11 postcode area. Streets in the area include West Lane, Beach Road and Bacon Lane, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Neighbouring places where we cater events include South Hayling (1 mile east), Tourner Bury (1 mile east), Stoke (2 miles north), Tye (2 miles north-east) and North Hayling (3 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Gosport (7 miles west), Havant (5 miles north), Fareham (10 miles north-west), Horndean (8 miles north), Waterlooville (7 miles north) and Petersfield (15 miles north).
A little further out are Eastney Beam Engine House (2.5 miles west) and The Bridge Shopping Centre (4 miles west). Not far away are The Kench.
- Local schools include The Hayling College (0.7 miles north-east) and The Hayling College (0.7 miles north-east)
- Nearby, you will find Newton House Hotel (within half a mile north)
About the dishes
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside, often with ham or mushroom.
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and do not stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
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.
Prices and what affects them
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- How long we’re needed on site
- Waiting and bar staff
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- The paellas you choose
Larger events usually cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
Getting an accurate quote
To check availability and price, we need:
- The date and rough timings
- Diets and allergies you know about
- A photo of the space, if you can
- The courses you’d like
Send us the date, your venue or PO11 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and we will reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
FAQs for West Town
How far is West Town from London?
Roughly 62 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
What’s the nearest station to West Town for guests?
Fratton station, about 3.8 miles west of the centre.
Can you cater for children?
Children are welcome. Let us know numbers and ages, and we’ll plan for them.
How many different paellas?
Most events have two or three: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We’ll help you decide the split.
Are the tapas served hot?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away; cold tapas are laid out as guests arrive.
Can you cook in the rain?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Is the paella gluten-free?
Yes, on request. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Do you supply canapé staff?
Staff make canapés work, which we can supply.
Why choose live paella in West Town?
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, so they fit most plans. Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We will send you a quote.
What you get with us
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
How the day works
A typical event goes like this: we arrive, set up and start cooking, your guests watch the rice cook, and it’s served hot from the pan at the agreed time. Evening receptions in West Town stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Give us a contact for the day
- Check the venue allows live cooking
Ask for a quote
Planning tapas catering in West Town? Send us the details and we will come back with ideas and a quote. To get in touch, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Also near West Town
What else we do in West Town
Planners, venues and businesses
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
Events in public spaces, like parks, usually need permission. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Events we cater in West Town
Big or small, tapas work.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In West Town, people book us for events such as:
- Cocktail parties
- Engagement celebrations
- Work receptions
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Fratton station, about 3.8 miles west.
What to look for in a quote
- Staff numbers and hours
- Travel and parking costs
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- Space, access and power needs
- 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