Buckinghamshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in California, Buckinghamshire
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in California. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, then served hot from the pan.
- Drinks reception canapés
- Tapas and paella menus
- Engagement drinks
Book tapas catering in California
Space, weather and the venue
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We need:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Space for a serving table or station
- Parking near the venue
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before you book.
Popular choices
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
About our tapas catering in California
We will recommend a tapas selection for your event, starter or main event. We cook tortilla española, croquetas and albóndigas, and we are frequently booked for launches and office parties and evening grazing.
Tapas make a party in California easy and sociable. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it is hot and generous, and service is quick once it is ready.
- Area
- California (HP21, HP20, HP19)
- County
- Buckinghamshire
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Who books tapas catering in California?
Big or small, tapas work.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Engagement celebrations
- Drinks reception canapés
- Tapas starters
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Mary.
Questions to ask before you book
- The venue requirements
- A clear list of what’s included
- Whether travel is included
- How late numbers can change
For event organisers in California
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
Throwing a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Step by step
Serving is fast: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so even a long queue moves. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. Evening receptions in California stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
How to prepare
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
Getting a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
How we price tapas catering
Every event is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- Travel, parking and access
- The paellas you choose
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Timings and hours
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
What we need to know
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- What the venue already provides
- A picture of where we’d cook
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Places near California
What else we do in California
Drinks receptions around California
California is about 1 mile south of Aylesbury, in Buckinghamshire. From the centre of California to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. California is one of 263 places in Buckinghamshire we cover. We cook right across the region, from California to Milton Keynes (about 16 miles away).
Historic buildings near California often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. Guests travelling by rail: Aylesbury station is in California itself. The Chilterns National Landscape is within about 5 miles of California, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Anywhere in HP21, HP20 and HP19, we can bring tapas catering to you. Whether your event is on Lee Road, Penn Road and Eaton Road or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Main roads around California include the A41 and A418, which makes travel to your event easy. Nearby, we also cater events in Aylesbury (1 mile north), Walton (1 mile east), Queens Park (1 mile east), Southcourt (1 mile south) and New Zealand (1 mile north). We also cook in nearby towns such as High Wycombe (13 miles south), Chesham (11 miles south-east), Buckingham (15 miles north-west), Amersham (13 miles south-east), Princes Risborough (6 miles south) and Haddenham (6 miles south-west).
Well-known places in the area include Friars Square (less than half a mile north-east) and Dinton Castle (3.4 miles west). The countryside around California includes Beacon Hill.
- Schools near California include Buckinghamshire UTC (less than half a mile west) and Pebble Brook School (less than half a mile west)
- Nearby, you’ll find King's Head Inn (within half a mile north-east)
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
Common questions in California
Is California close to London?
About 38 miles from central London, and well within our area.
What’s the nearest station to California for guests?
California has its own station: Aylesbury station.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain doesn’t stop us, as long as there is a ventilated cover. We’ll talk it through before the day.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, it is the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Many tapas are naturally vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers. We label each dish.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we take the right care.
Do you take everything away?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
Diets, allergies and planning
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
A closer look at the menu
Tortilla española
Potato omelette served in wedges or squares.
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat, often with ham or mushroom.
- 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