Reading · England
Paella Party Catering for Sonning events
We cook paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events across Sonning and Reading, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Garden get-togethers
- Celebrations of life
- Big family gatherings
Paella party catering in Sonning
Paella party catering in Sonning, cooked live
You get to be a guest at your own party: no shopping, prep or cooking. The food is our job. For christenings and naming days and wakes and memorial gatherings, we will put together a menu of tapas, mixed paella and vegetable paella for your guests.
Country parties near Sonning suit live paella: cooked in the open and served hot. Have a gazebo ready in case of rain. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
Dietary needs and planning tips
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Ensure children stay back from the pans
- Put out bins for general waste and recycling
- Let the neighbours know
Children love watching the paella cook, from a safe distance.
A jug of sangria sets the tone, with an alcohol-free version for drivers and children.
How it works
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you can enjoy your party. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first as the rice is cooking. A summer party in Sonning stays light until about 9:25pm at midsummer, so a garden party can run well into the evening. By late September sunset is around 7:05pm, so plan festoon lights for later parties.
- You tell us the date, address, guest numbers and any dietary needs.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a quote.
- On the day, we set up and get cooking.
- The paella cooks while your guests chat, with any tapas served first.
- We serve it hot from the pan, then pack down.
Before we arrive
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
Get a quote
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your party, and we will suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Places near Sonning
What else we do in Sonning
Paella compared with other options
For a party that feels a little special without being formal, live paella is hard to beat. There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
Why Sonning hosts choose us
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Drinks service on request
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
Why choose paella party catering in Sonning?
It feels like a holiday in your own garden.
In Sonning and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Some of the most common are:
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Christenings and naming days
- Anniversary celebrations
- Leaving dos and retirements
Christenings and naming days frequently start at a local church such as St Andrew's Church, with a paella lunch at home or in a hall afterwards.
Comparing caterers
- Travel and parking costs
- Allergen information for each dish
- How bad weather is handled
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
Space, weather and the venue
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Send a photo of the garden so we can check
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before booking.
On the menu in Sonning
- Tapas
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Seafood paella
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Churros
Sonning parties: what to know
Sonning is about 1 mile north-west of Woodley, in Reading. Parties in Sonning are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cater in all 34 towns and villages across Reading.
For guests coming by train, Twyford station is about 1.9 miles away. Thinking of a party in Ali's Pond Local Nature Reserve? Cooking in a public park usually needs permission from the council or landowner, so check first.
This part of Reading takes in RG4, so your party can be anywhere in it. Your party could be at a home on High Street, Parkway Drive and Pound Lane or the roads around them. Main roads around Sonning include the B478 and B4446, which makes travel to your party easy. We also cook at parties in Play Hatch (1 mile north-west), Dunsden Green (2 miles north-west), Newtown (2 miles south-west), Caversham Park Village (2 miles north-west) and Littlestead Green (2 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Caversham (3 miles west), Norcot (5 miles west), West Reading (4 miles west), Tilehurst Within (5 miles west), Shinfield (5 miles south-west) and Arborfield Garrison (6 miles south).
Other landmarks nearby include Berkshire Medical Heritage Centre Museum (2.5 miles south-west) and Royal Berkshire Hospital (2.6 miles south-west). Not far away are Sonning Hill and South Lake.
- Schools near Sonning include Reading Blue Coat School (less than half a mile west) and Waingels College (0.8 miles east)
- Local pubs include Bull Inn (under half a mile north-west)
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. 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 be with your guests, we’ll do the cooking.
How we price paella party catering
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- Distance and access to the venue
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- How long we are needed on site
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
What to tell us
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- The venue or postcode
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The courses you’d like
Planning paella party catering in Sonning? Send us the details and we will come back with ideas and a quote. To get in touch, send us your details through our quote form.
Your questions about paella party catering in Sonning
Can you cook in Ali's Pond Local Nature Reserve?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
Is Sonning too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Of course. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, served while the paella cooks.
Can you cater at a hired venue?
Yes, if there is a suitable outdoor or ventilated spot to cook. Check the venue allows live cooking.
Can you set up in a small garden?
Most gardens are fine. We need a level spot, clearance from anything flammable and reasonable access. Send us a picture.
How far ahead should we book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so contact us early.
Will the neighbours notice?
Less smoke than a barbecue, more smell, and it is a good smell. Let the neighbours know.
What’s in the pans
Chicken & chorizo paella
A smoky favourite with children and adults, and a good choice for guests who do not eat seafood.
Vegetable paella
A proper vegetable paella, not an afterthought, with peppers, beans and artichokes.
- 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