Reading · England
Paella Party Catering in Southcote
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events makes the food a highlight of your party in Southcote.
- Anniversary celebrations
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Wakes and memorial gatherings
Book paella party catering in Southcote
Diets, allergies and planning
Most events have a mix of diets. To cater well for them:
- Add a diet question to the invitation
- Keep a clear zone around the cooking area
- Let the neighbours know
- Give separate numbers for children
After service, we pack down, leaving you to carry on celebrating.
Churros and chocolate go down well with all ages.
About our paella party catering in Southcote
The smell of paella cooking is the best party invitation. People drift over with a drink to watch it cook. For baby celebrations and birthday parties, we can cook tapas, chicken and chorizo paella and churros.
In a place like Southcote, a garden party is generally the easiest option. Let us know how we can get to the garden, and we’ll do the rest. You’ll know exactly what’s included before you book: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
About the dishes
Tapas
Bravas, tortilla, croquetas and more while the paella cooks.
Seafood paella
Seafood paella typically gets the photos, and is best served with lemon.
Why choose live paella in Southcote?
A takeaway order is easy but forgettable. Live paella gives guests a show. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Why us?
- Fast service from the pan
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- We cover Southcote and the whole of Reading
The process
Expect a friendly, organised team. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up the pans and burners, and cook and serve without fuss. At midsummer, it’s light in Southcote until about 9:25pm, which gives a garden party a long evening. By late September sunset is around 7:10pm, so plan festoon lights for later parties.
- Send us your date, address and numbers.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a quote.
- We set up before guests arrive.
- Guests watch the paella cook.
- We serve, then clear our area.
Preparing for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Check the venue allows live cooking
How to get a price
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Tell us about your party in Southcote, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Related guides
What affects the price in Southcote
Every event is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- Distance and access to the venue
- The length of service
- How many staff you need
- Whether you need crockery
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Details that help
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Where the event is
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Your date and when you want to eat
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Nearby places to Southcote
More for events in Southcote
FAQs for Southcote
Can you cook in Calcot Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, normally the council. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Matthew's?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria can be added, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
How soon do we need to book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so contact us early.
Can you cater for children?
Of course. A simple chicken paella is typically popular with children. Include children in your numbers.
Do you cook inside?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, because we use gas burners. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
What if the weather’s bad?
We need a covered spot, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Where do you cater?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Southcote.
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Events we cater in Southcote
It is the easiest way to feed a party without being stuck in the kitchen, and it is a talking point.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Celebrations of life
- Big family gatherings
- Anniversary celebrations
- Street parties and neighbourhood get-togethers
Nearby historic houses include Mapledurham House (3.1 miles north). If you are hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on outside caterers first.
What your quote should include
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Travel and parking costs
- Who provides the crockery
- Whether VAT is included
Southcote parties: what to know
Southcote is about 2 miles west of Reading, in Reading. Parties in Southcote are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cook in 34 places across Reading, from the larger towns to small villages.
Christenings and naming days often start at a local church such as St Matthew's, with a paella lunch at home or in a hall afterwards. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Reading Green Park station, about 1.1 miles south.
Paella party catering in RG30, RG31 and RG1 is planned around your venue. Streets in the area include Bath Road, Dwyer Road and Brunel Road, and we can cook for a party on any of them. Nearby, we also cater parties in Fords Farm (1 mile west), Horncastle (1 mile west), Burghfield Bridge (1 mile south-west), Tilehurst Within (1 mile north-west) and Norcot (1 mile north-west). Further out, we also cater in Caversham (3 miles north-east), Shinfield (4 miles south-east), Arborfield Garrison (6 miles south-east), Caversham Heights (3 miles north), Whitley Wood (3 miles south-east) and Sonning Common (5 miles north).
A little further out are Beaumys Castle (4.7 miles south) and Battle Hospital (1.3 miles north-east). Open spaces near Southcote include Sonning Hill and South Lake.
- Local schools include Prospect School (0.5 miles north-west) and Elvian School (0.6 miles north-east)
- Nearby, you will find The Happy Prospect pub (within half a mile east)
For planners, venues and organisers
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
- 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