Reading · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Arborfield, Reading
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella turns food into part of your event in Arborfield.
- Sharing tapas starters
- Drinks reception canapés
- Tapas before paella
Planning an event in Arborfield?
About our tapas catering in Arborfield
Sangria and bar staff can be added, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. Typical bookings include evening sharing boards and office parties and launches, with patatas bravas, padrón peppers and gambas al ajillo.
For a country party near Arborfield, tapas and sangria set the mood. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, never made in advance and reheated, and served as soon as it’s ready.
Perfect for your event in Arborfield
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In Arborfield, people book us for events such as:
- Engagement drinks
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Work receptions
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Bartholomew.
Before booking anyone
- Whether travel is included
- The deadline for final numbers
- If the price includes VAT
- How each diet is kept separate
A closer look at the menu
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce.
What we need at the venue
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but a few things matter:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- 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’ll advise.
Menu ideas
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
Organising for someone else?
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Throwing a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Should I cook it myself?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Arborfield: venues and local tips
Arborfield is about 3 miles west of Wokingham, in Reading. For tapas catering in Arborfield, we plan around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. Arborfield is one of 34 towns and villages in Reading we cover.
Parks such as Pearman's Copse have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. If you are looking at a historic venue around Arborfield, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Anywhere in RG2, we can cook for your guests. That could mean an event in a garden on Church Lane, Walden Avenue and Cartershill Lane or the roads around them. Other places close to Arborfield for tapas catering include Shinfield (2 miles west), Lower Earley (2 miles north), Ryeish Green (2 miles west), Earley (2 miles north) and Whitley Wood (2 miles north-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Caversham (6 miles north-west), Norcot (6 miles north-west), West Reading (5 miles north-west), Tilehurst Within (6 miles north-west), Caversham Heights (6 miles north-west) and Horncastle (6 miles north-west).
A little further out are Wokingham Hospital (3 miles east) and Berkshire Library & Museum of Freemasonry (1.8 miles north-east). The countryside around Arborfield includes South Lake and Sonning Hill.
- Nearby schools include Bohunt School Wokingham (1.9 miles south-east)
- Nearby, you’ll find Swan Inn (0.6 miles south-east)
Arborfield: your questions answered
Do you come out to small places like Arborfield?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Bartholomew?
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 typically elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Do you cook inside?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Can you supply plates?
We can. Tell us what your venue provides and we’ll include the rest in the quote.
Which areas do you serve?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Arborfield.
Can you provide dessert?
We do. Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana, or you can serve your own cake.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas first, paella to follow.
Is halal food available?
Yes, we do. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in its own pan.
What affects the price in Arborfield
We’ll give you a clear, itemised quote. What affects it most:
- Timings and hours
- Travel, parking and access
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- The paellas you choose
Larger events usually cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What to tell us
To check availability and price, we need:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- The courses you’d like
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Where the event is
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will put together a menu and price.
Places near Arborfield
More for events in Arborfield
Is live paella right for your event?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why us?
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Catering across Reading, including Arborfield
Read How we price And Our guide to catering costs.
The process
The paella is cooked in giant, shallow pans over gas burners. We need a level, ventilated spot, which we agree with you beforehand. At midsummer, it is light in Arborfield until about 9:25pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Before we arrive
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
Ask for a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, use our quote form.
Planning help
- 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