Hampshire · England
Tapas Catering in Whitsbury
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Whitsbury: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests.
- Anniversary parties
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Drinks parties and receptions
Book tapas catering in Whitsbury
Whitsbury questions
Do you come out to small places like Whitsbury?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
We’re having a ceremony at Church of St Leonard: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Are the tapas fresh?
We finish hot dishes on site; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Let us know if you’d like one when you ask for a quote.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Even if it’s short notice, it is worth asking.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three is usual: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We’ll suggest a split based on your guests.
Do you do starters?
Yes, it is the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Tapas catering in Whitsbury, cooked live
Tapas pair naturally with a live paella, as a starter while the rice cooks, but they’re great on their own. Whether it’s tapas starters and evening grazing, we can cook Manchego with membrillo, Serrano ham and croquetas and more.
Near Whitsbury, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, never made in advance and reheated.
Step by step
Expect a friendly, organised team. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up our cooking area, and cook and serve without fuss. A summer drinks reception in Whitsbury has daylight until about 9:25pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:05pm.
- Tell 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.
Preparing for the day
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
Ask for a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Related guides
Planning a tapas spread in Whitsbury
Whitsbury is in Hampshire. We cater events at homes, gardens and venues in Whitsbury. Whitsbury is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire where we cook. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 19 miles away.
If you are looking at a historic venue around Whitsbury, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Nearby historic houses include Breamore House (1.6 miles east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
Here we cover the SP6 postcode area, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. Nearby, we also cater events in Rockbourne (1 mile south-west), Damerham (2 miles south-west), Sandleheath (3 miles south), Ashford (3 miles south) and Alderholt (4 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Totton (14 miles east), Romsey (15 miles east), Ringwood (9 miles south), Fordingbridge (3 miles south), St Leonards (10 miles south) and Brockenhurst (15 miles south-east).
Nearby you’ll also find Fordingbridge Museum (3.4 miles south-east) and Salisbury District Hospital (5.2 miles north).
- Nearby, you’ll find The Cart Wheel Public House (less than half a mile south-east)
For planners, venues and organisers
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
Throwing a party at home? Send us a photo of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Perfect for your event in Whitsbury
They suit standing receptions where a full meal does not fit.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Typical bookings include:
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Engagement celebrations
- Evening grazing
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Leonard, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
What to look for in a quote
- The deposit and payment dates
- How late numbers can change
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- The wet-weather plan
Paella compared with other options
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
Why Whitsbury hosts choose us
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Events in Whitsbury and across Hampshire
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Live cooking, not reheated food
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
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.
Dishes our guests love
Patatas bravas
Always popular and usually vegetarian.
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Catering for every guest
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Collect dietary needs
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
Afterwards, we clear away.
Bar staff and sangria.
Space, weather and the venue
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- Unloading access
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Room for a tapas table
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before you book.
Popular choices
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
Towns and villages near Whitsbury
Also in Whitsbury
- 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