Wokingham · England
Tapas & canapé catering in California, Wokingham
Looking for tapas catering in California? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Engagement drinks
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas and paella menus
Tapas catering in California
Tapas catering for your event in California
We will recommend a tapas selection for your event, starter or main event. We’re often asked to cater table tapas as a starter and drinks parties and receptions, serving croquetas, albóndigas and tortilla española.
Near California, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in a separate pan and clearly labelled.
Planning the cooking area
If a space is not suitable, we will tell you, and suggest an alternative. What matters most:
- Unloading access
- Space on each table
- Room for a tapas table
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
Menu ideas
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
Perfect for your event in California
Tapas are sociable food, because everyone shares.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Launches and office parties
- Drinks reception canapés
- Tapas and paella menus
- Engagement parties
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St James.
What your quote should include
- If the price includes VAT
- How long the team stays
- Travel and parking costs
- Allergen information for each dish
Why choose live paella in California?
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is often good value, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Why California hosts choose us
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Events in California and across Wokingham
Read Our prices page And What paella catering costs.
Tapas for events in California
California is about 3 miles south-west of Wokingham, in Wokingham. We cater events at gardens, halls and venues around California. California is one of 35 places in Wokingham where we cook. Our events stretch from California to Reading (about 7 miles away).
For guests coming by train, Crowthorne station is about 2.4 miles away. Historic buildings near California frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue.
Tapas catering in RG40 is planned around your venue and your guests. Streets in the area include Warren Lane, White Horse Lane and Fernbank, and we can cook for an event on any of them. For events just outside California, we cover Arborfield Garrison (1 mile west), Finchampstead (1 mile south-east), Barkham (1 mile north), Langley Common (1 mile north-west) and Eversley (1 mile south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Reading (7 miles north-west), Wokingham (3 miles north-east), Woodley (5 miles north), Earley (5 miles north-west), Crowthorne (3 miles east) and Lower Earley (4 miles north-west).
Well-known places in the area include Beaumys Castle (4.7 miles west) and Wokingham Hospital (2.6 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Horseshoe Lake and Holt Copse & Joel Park.
- Local schools include Bohunt School Wokingham (1 mile west)
- Pubs nearby include The Queen's Oak pub (0.7 miles south-east)
Step by step
We work to your timings. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we adjust the cooking so it is still served fresh. Evening receptions in California stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Give us a contact for the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
How to get a price
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Read more
Planners, venues and businesses
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we’ll explain how it works. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Nearby places to California
What else we do in California
Dietary needs and planning tips
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Add sangria or cava
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
The menu, dish by dish
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil with a little chilli.
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside, often with ham or mushroom.
FAQs for California
Which station should guests use for California?
Crowthorne station, about 2.4 miles east of the centre.
How far is California from London?
About 35 miles from central London.
Who clears up?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
How long do you need on site?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Are the tapas served hot?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue.
Will there be enough food?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.
What happens if it rains?
Rain doesn’t stop us, as long as there is a ventilated cover. We will make a plan B with you.
Do you cater in California?
We do. We cook at events in California and across Wokingham. Send us your date to check availability.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
- 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