Reading · England
Paella Catering in Norcot
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event makes the food a highlight of your event in Norcot.
- Community events and fairs
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Milestone birthday parties
Paella catering near Norcot
Paella catering in Norcot, made fresh on the day
Live paella works almost anywhere with a level, ventilated spot: a garden, marquee, barn, courtyard or field. For naming days and family parties and garden get-togethers, we can cook vegan paella, black rice and chicken and chorizo paella and more.
A place like Norcot frequently has a hall, a club or a pub garden nearby; any can work for paella, with permission and somewhere outside to cook. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, never made in advance and reheated.
What happens on the day
A typical event goes like this: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and it’s served hot from the pan when you are ready to eat. Planning an evening event in Norcot? Sunset is around 8:55pm in late May, 9:25pm at midsummer and 7:10pm in late September; once it is dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and any dietary needs.
- We suggest a menu and confirm a quote, including what’s included.
- On the day, we set up the burners and pans and get the stock going.
- The paella cooks in front of your guests, with tapas first if you’ve chosen them.
- It is served straight from the pan, and we pack down afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Share the running order, including any speeches
Ask for a quote
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, use our quote form.
Planning help
Nearby places to Norcot
Also in Norcot
Planning the cooking area
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Menu ideas
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
Paella compared with other options
A cold buffet is simple but has no theatre, and food can sit out for a while. Paella is cooked in front of your guests and served hot. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
Why us?
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
Take a look at Our pricing Or The cost guide.
A closer look at the menu
Vegetable and vegan paella
A slow sofrito, seasonal vegetables and a good vegetable stock make a paella that stands on its own. Vegan versions use plant-based stock.
Paella Valenciana
Valencians take their paella seriously. The classic version is chicken, green beans and butter beans with saffron, and it’s a crowd-pleaser.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. A caterer handles all of that.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
Catering an event in Norcot
Norcot is about 2 miles west of Reading, in Reading. Events in Norcot are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. We cater in all 34 towns and villages in Reading.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Tilehurst station, about 0.8 miles north. Nearby historic houses include Mapledurham House (1.8 miles north) and Basildon Park (4.9 miles north-west). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early.
For paella catering in RG30 and RG31, we plan around your venue and your guests. Streets in the area include Ash Road, Tay Road and Tyle Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. For events just outside Norcot, we cover Tilehurst Within (1 mile south-west), Tilehurst (1 mile west), Horncastle (1 mile south), Little Heath (1 mile west) and Fords Farm (1 mile south). Within a short drive, we also cover Caversham (3 miles north-east), Shinfield (5 miles south-east), Arborfield Garrison (8 miles south-east), Whitley Wood (4 miles south-east), Sonning Common (4 miles north-east) and Whitley (4 miles south-east). Being one of Reading’s larger places, Norcot has plenty of venues and gardens for events.
Nearby you will also find Battle Hospital (1.3 miles east) and Royal Berkshire Regiment Museum (1 mile east). The countryside around Norcot includes South Lake and Moor Copse Nature Reserve.
- Nearby schools include Prospect School (1 mile south) and Battle School (1.3 miles east)
- Local pubs include The Butchers Arms (0.6 miles north-west)
Diets, allergies and planning
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To get it right:
- Make sure most guests can sit to eat
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Put allergy details in writing
You shouldn’t have to worry about the food on the day. We arrive in good time, set up, cook and serve, and stay in touch with your venue about timings.
Sangria and bar staff can be added to serve drinks you provide.
Why choose paella catering in Norcot?
Outdoor events and live paella go together: it is cooked in the open, served hot and eaten together.
Here are some of the events we cook for in Norcot and Reading:
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Naming days and family parties
Thinking of a picnic-style party in Round Copse? Public parks typically need permission from the council or landowner for cooking, so check first.
What your quote should include
- How late numbers can change
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Whether VAT is included
- What the price includes, item by item
Common questions in Norcot
How far is Norcot from London?
About 40 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Which station should guests use for Norcot?
The closest is Tilehurst station, roughly 0.8 miles away.
How much does paella catering cost in Norcot?
We quote for each event, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers and we’ll reply with a price.
Can you bring crockery?
If you need them, yes. Proper crockery or quality disposables can be added to your booking.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three covers most guests. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
Is paella enough as a main?
Yes. With bread and salad, paella is a complete main, and tapas or dessert can be added.
What do you need at the venue?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes, always. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.
What paella catering costs
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- The paellas you choose
- Whether you need crockery
- Parking and unloading
- Starters, canapés and desserts
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
What we need to know
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Try to include:
- Expected numbers
- What the venue already provides
- The venue or postcode
- The date and rough timings
Still deciding on the menu? That’s fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll make suggestions. Start when you’re ready: fill in our quote form.
- 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