Reading · England
Paella Catering in Pingewood
Looking for paella catering in Pingewood? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Garden get-togethers
Paella catering near Pingewood
What we need at the venue
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
- Level ground for the pans and burners
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Popular choices
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Seafood paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Mixed paella
- Vegan paella
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
Paella catering in Pingewood, cooked live
Almost any venue with a level, ventilated spot will do: gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and festival fields. We cook black rice, mixed paella and vegetable paella, and we’re frequently booked for fairs, fêtes and festivals and retirement and leaving parties.
In a rural place like Pingewood, the setting does plenty of the work: a giant pan in a garden or field fits perfectly. Let us know about access and ground conditions. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
The process
On the day, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so the timing is planned around your event. Evenings in Pingewood stay light until about 9:25pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:10pm; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- First, tell us about your event.
- You get a menu and an itemised quote.
- We agree timings, access and the cooking spot.
- On the day, we set up and cook in front of your guests.
- We serve from the pan, then pack down.
Getting ready for the day
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
Ask for a quote
To get a price, fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll put together a menu and price.
Planning help
Dietary needs and planning tips
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Tell us about coeliac guests specifically
- Let us know about other food at the event
- Ask about diets and allergies on your invitation or RSVP
After service, we pack down our cooking area.
Crockery, cutlery and waiting staff are available if your venue doesn’t provide them.
A closer look at the menu
Vegetable and vegan paella
A vegetable paella is not an afterthought: peppers, artichokes and beans with saffron, cooked in its own pan.
Black rice
Black rice gets its colour from squid ink, traditionally with alioli. It makes a dramatic second seafood pan.
What paella catering costs
These are the factors that matter most:
- Guest numbers
- Travel, parking and access
- Timings and hours
- Waiting and bar staff
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Details that help
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Anything your venue supplies
- The date and rough timings
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We will come back with a clear quote.
Why choose live paella in Pingewood?
For something a little different, live paella brings colour, aroma and a touch of Spain. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
What you get with us
- Events in Pingewood and across Reading
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Real theatre, not just catering
- A quote that spells everything out
Take a look at Our pricing And The cost guide.
Your questions about paella catering in Pingewood
How far is Pingewood from London?
About 40 miles from central London, and well within our area.
What’s the nearest station to Pingewood for guests?
The closest is Reading Green Park station, roughly 0.6 miles away.
Can paella be the only main course?
Paella is a meal in itself. Many hosts add tapas first or dessert after.
Do you cater for young children?
Of course. Children frequently love a simple chicken paella. Tell us how many are coming.
How far ahead should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Are premium seafood options available?
Tell us your preferences and we will suggest seafood options to suit your menu and budget. Premium options are available.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
Can you bring crockery?
Yes, on request. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables are available.
Pingewood: venues, travel and local tips
Pingewood is about 2 miles south-west of Reading, in Reading. From the centre of Pingewood to the outskirts, paella catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Pingewood is one of 34 towns and villages in Reading where we cook.
If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like The WREN School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser. Nearby historic houses include Mapledurham House (4.7 miles north) and Stratfield Saye House (4.8 miles south). Historic venues frequently limit cooking, so ask early if you’re booking one.
For paella catering in RG30, we plan around your venue and your guests. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Burghfield Bridge (1 mile north-west), Southcote (2 miles north), Fords Farm (2 miles north-west), Horncastle (2 miles north-west) and Trash Green (2 miles west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Caversham (4 miles north-east), Norcot (3 miles north), Tilehurst Within (3 miles north-west), Shinfield (3 miles east), Arborfield Garrison (5 miles south-east) and Caversham Heights (4 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include The Oracle (2.8 miles north-east) and Beaumys Castle (3.1 miles south). The countryside around Pingewood includes South Lake and Fobney Island Wetland Reserve.
Towns and villages near Pingewood
Other catering in Pingewood
DIY paella versus live catering
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Perfect for your event in Pingewood
People book live paella because it is food and entertainment at once. The pans become a focal point, and the food itself is hot and plentiful.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We regularly cater:
- Festivals, fairs and school events
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
For guests coming by train, Reading Green Park station is about 0.6 miles away.
What your quote should include
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- Staff numbers and hours
- VAT, if it applies
- 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