Reading · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Arborfield Cross, Reading
Something for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Arborfield Cross.
- Tapas and paella menus
- Evening grazing
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Book tapas catering in Arborfield Cross
Tapas catering in Arborfield Cross, cooked live
We’ll recommend a tapas selection for your event, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. For tapas starters and office parties and launches, we will put together a menu of albóndigas, Serrano ham and gambas al ajillo and more.
Near Arborfield Cross, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, not reheated, and served as soon as it is ready.
What we need at the venue
Every venue is different, so we ask about the space before we confirm. Generally, we look for:
- A spot for our serving station
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
Popular choices
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
How we price tapas catering
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- Distance and access to the venue
- Whether you need crockery
- Your choice of paellas
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
Larger events normally cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Details that help
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- Expected numbers
- Which courses you have in mind
- Anything your venue supplies
- The date and time of the event
Planning tapas catering in Arborfield Cross? Send us the details and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. To contact us, send us your details through our quote form.
Dishes our guests love
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat.
Towns and villages near Arborfield Cross
What else we do in Arborfield Cross
How the day works
On the day, we set up our cooking area, light the burners and start the sofrito. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so the timing is planned around your event. Evening receptions in Arborfield Cross stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
How to get a price
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Who books tapas catering in Arborfield Cross?
Tapas are sociable food.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in Arborfield Cross book us for occasions like:
- Evening grazing
- Drinks reception canapés
- Office parties and launches
- Engagement drinks
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Arborfield Cross, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
What to look for in a quote
- Payment terms and deposit
- If the price includes VAT
- The deadline for final numbers
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
Should I cook it myself?
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Is live paella right for your event?
Nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
Why book with us
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- We cover Arborfield Cross and the whole of Reading
Read Our pricing Or Our guide to catering costs.
Common questions in Arborfield Cross
Could we have live paella in Shepperlands Farm Nature Reserve?
Only if the landowner, normally the council, allows it. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
Is Arborfield Cross too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Do you provide serving staff?
Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to serve.
How much tapas do we need?
We plan quantities around your timings and courses. Give us the details and we’ll advise.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Yes, tapas work on their own.
Do you come to Arborfield Cross?
Yes. We cover London and the South East, including Arborfield Cross and the rest of Reading. To check your date, use our quote form.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
We can, if you tell us in advance. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Do you clear up afterwards?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Catering for every guest
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Collect dietary needs
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Label seafood clearly
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
Staff keep the canapés coming.
Sangria and bar staff.
Tapas for events in Arborfield Cross
Arborfield Cross is about 3 miles south-west of Wokingham, in Reading. We bring tapas catering to homes, gardens and venues in Arborfield Cross and the surrounding area. We cook in all 34 towns and villages across Reading, from the larger towns to small villages.
Guests travelling by rail: Winnersh station is about 2.7 miles away. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Bartholomew.
Here we cover the RG2 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. Your event could be at a home on Eversley Road, Chamberlain Gardens and Melrose Gardens. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Farley Hill (2 miles south), Swallowfield (3 miles south-west), Spencers Wood (3 miles west), Riseley (3 miles south-west) and Bramshill (4 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Caversham (6 miles north-west), Norcot (7 miles north-west), West Reading (6 miles north-west), Tilehurst Within (7 miles north-west), Caversham Heights (7 miles north-west) and Horncastle (6 miles north-west).
Nearby you will also find Beaumys Castle (3.5 miles south-west) and Berkshire Library & Museum of Freemasonry (2 miles north). Green spaces nearby include South Lake and The Marshes Local Nature Reserve.
- Schools near Arborfield Cross include Bohunt School Wokingham (1.3 miles south)
- Local pubs include Swan Inn (under half a mile north)
- 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