West Berkshire · England
Paella Catering for Cold Ash events
Planning paella catering in Cold Ash? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Summer garden parties
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
- Staff parties and work lunches
Paella catering in Cold Ash
How our paella catering works in Cold Ash
Paella has always been food for a crowd: cooked outdoors in a wide, shallow pan and shared. That’s exactly what we bring to your event in Cold Ash. Popular choices include chicken and chorizo paella, seafood paella and mixed paella, and we’re regularly asked to cater weddings, from canapés to evening food and office lunches and staff parties.
For a rural spot like Cold Ash, the countryside is part of the appeal: a giant pan in a garden or field fits perfectly. Tell us about access and the ground. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
- Location
- Cold Ash (RG18)
- Region
- West Berkshire
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
For planners, venues and organisers
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Catering an event in Cold Ash
Cold Ash is about 2 miles north of Thatcham, in West Berkshire. Events in Cold Ash are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. We cover 155 places across West Berkshire. Our events stretch from Cold Ash to Reading (13 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Thatcham station, about 2.3 miles south-east. If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like Cold Ash St Mark's C.E. School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser. The North Wessex Downs National Landscape is within about 7 miles of Cold Ash. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
For paella catering in RG18, we plan around your venue and timings. Local streets include Harewood Drive, Johnson's Lane and Walters Close; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Ashmore Green (1 mile south-west), Stone Copse (1 mile west), Longlane (2 miles north-west), Thatcham (2 miles south) and Wellhouse (2 miles north). We also cook in nearby towns such as Newbury (3 miles south-west), Burghfield Common (9 miles east), Speenhamland (3 miles south-west), Hungerford (11 miles west), Spencers Wood (13 miles east) and Calcot (9 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include West Berkshire Community Hospital (1.8 miles south-west) and British Balloon Museum & Library Ltd (3 miles south-west). The countryside around Cold Ash includes Nature Discovery Centre.
- Nearby schools include Kennet School (1.8 miles south-east)
Should I cook it myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Towns and villages near Cold Ash
Other catering in Cold Ash
Why choose live paella in Cold Ash?
For something a little different, live paella brings colour, aroma and a touch of Spain to your event in Cold Ash. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Why book with us
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Fast service from the pan
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
Take a look at Our prices page And Our guide to catering costs.
How it works
Your timings come first. If things run behind, we hold the paella at the right stage so it’s still served fresh. Evenings in Cold Ash stay light until about 9:25pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:10pm; once it is dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
- You share your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan a menu that covers every diet.
- We arrive early to set up the burners and pans.
- The paella cooks as guests gather round.
- We serve hot from the pan and clear our cooking area.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
How to get a price
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote.
Related guides
Planning the cooking area
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- Level ground for the pans and burners
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegan paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Seafood paella
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
Catering for every guest
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. A few tips:
- Have seats for most of your guests
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Tell us what else is being served
- Give us separate numbers for children
Any staff you book serve and clear, so you can relax.
Add canapé tapas with the drinks or table tapas as a starter as the rice cooks.
About the dishes
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, traditionally with alioli. It makes a dramatic second seafood pan.
Vegetable and vegan paella
The vegetable pan is a dish in its own right: peppers, artichokes and beans with saffron.
Common questions in Cold Ash
Do you come out to small places like Cold Ash?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
How far is Cold Ash from London?
About 51 miles from central London, and well within our area.
Do you do starters?
Yes. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, while the rice is cooking.
Do you provide drinks?
Sangria can be added, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
How long do you need on site?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
Does paella work for big events?
Yes. Large pans and fast service from the pan make it well suited to crowds.
What areas do you cover?
We cater across London and the South East, West Berkshire included. See all areas.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes. A simple chicken paella is typically popular with children. Tell us how many are coming.
Prices and what affects them
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Timings and hours
- Guest numbers
- Whether you need crockery
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What we need to know
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- The date and rough timings
- The venue or postcode
- Roughly how many adults and children
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
To get a price, use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will put together a menu and 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