Reading · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Chalkhouse Green, 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 in Chalkhouse Green.
- Evening grazing
- Table tapas as a starter
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Tapas catering for Chalkhouse Green events
How our tapas catering works in Chalkhouse Green
We can add sangria and bar staff, for a complete drinks and tapas package. We are often asked to cater birthday drinks and engagement parties, with Manchego with membrillo, Serrano ham and tortilla española.
Near Chalkhouse Green, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated, and served as soon as it is ready.
About the dishes
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Nearby places to Chalkhouse Green
What else we do in Chalkhouse Green
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Chalkhouse Green: your questions answered
Do you come out to small places like Chalkhouse Green?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Saint Barnabas Emmer Green?
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 usually elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Children are welcome. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we’ll plan for them.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Yes, tapas work on their own, for receptions, parties and evening food.
What does tapas catering cost?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we will send a quote.
How soon do we need to book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
Can we add drinks?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you are providing the drinks.
Can you bring crockery?
If you need them, yes. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables are available.
Occasions we cook for in Chalkhouse Green
Tapas get people talking, because everyone shares.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In Chalkhouse Green, people book us for events such as:
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Work receptions
- Engagement celebrations
- Evening sharing boards
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Chalkhouse Green, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Questions to ask before booking
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- VAT, if it applies
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
Where we can cook in Chalkhouse Green
No two venues are the same, so we’ll ask about yours before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Permission from the venue
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Access to unload near the serving area
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
What we offer
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
Is live paella right for your event?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Why Chalkhouse Green hosts choose us
- Catering across Reading, including Chalkhouse Green
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
Take a look at Our pricing Or Our guide to catering costs.
What happens on the day
When the rice goes in, it is left alone. That’s what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. The smell normally draws people over. A summer drinks reception in Chalkhouse Green has daylight until about 9:25pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Give us a contact for the day
How to get a price
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
How we price tapas catering
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Timings and hours
- Travel, parking and access
- Guest numbers
The cost per head typically falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What to tell us
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- The venue or postcode
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Your date and when you want to eat
- A picture of where we’d cook
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will come back with a clear quote.
Dietary needs and planning tips
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Collect dietary needs
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Sangria and bar staff.
Chalkhouse Green: venues and local tips
Chalkhouse Green is about 1 mile north-west of Caversham, in Reading. For an event in Chalkhouse Green, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. Chalkhouse Green is one of 34 places in Reading where we cook.
Guests travelling by rail: Reading station is about 2.6 miles away. Nearby historic houses include Mapledurham House (2.6 miles west) and Greys Court (3.5 miles north). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
Tapas catering in RG4 is planned around your venue. Your event could be at a home on Kidmore End Road, Chalkhouse Green Lane and Tanners Lane. For events just outside Chalkhouse Green, we cover Tokers Green (1 mile south-west), Emmer Green (1 mile south-east), Caversham (1 mile south-east), Caversham Heights (1 mile south) and Caversham Park Village (2 miles south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Norcot (3 miles south-west), West Reading (3 miles south), Tilehurst Within (4 miles south-west), Shinfield (6 miles south), Arborfield Garrison (9 miles south-east) and Horncastle (4 miles south-west).
Well-known places in the area include Royal Berkshire Regiment Museum (2.9 miles south) and Battle Hospital (2.8 miles south). Green spaces nearby include South Lake and Sonning Hill.
- Nearby schools include Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre (1.1 miles south) and The Warwick School (1.3 miles north-west)
- Nearby, you will find Bird in Hand pub (0.8 miles north-east)
- 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