Reading · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Dunsden Green, Reading
Planning tapas catering in Dunsden Green? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Engagement drinks
- Tapas before paella
- Launches and office parties
Live tapas catering in Dunsden Green
The menu, dish by dish
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free.
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil.
About our tapas catering in Dunsden Green
We will suggest a selection to suit your timings and guests, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. For engagement celebrations and office parties and launches, we will put together a menu of Manchego with membrillo, patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo.
In a rural spot like Dunsden Green, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
Tapas for events in Dunsden Green
Dunsden Green is about 1 mile north-east of Caversham, in Reading. From the centre of Dunsden Green to the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cater in 34 places across Reading.
Parks such as Ali's Pond Local Nature Reserve have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. Guests travelling by rail: Reading station is about 2.6 miles away.
For tapas catering in RG4, we plan around your venue and timings. We also cook at events in Littlestead Green (1 mile west), Play Hatch (1 mile south), Caversham Park Village (1 mile south-west), Emmer Green (1 mile south-west) and Caversham (1 mile south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Norcot (4 miles south-west), West Reading (4 miles south-west), Tilehurst Within (5 miles south-west), Shinfield (6 miles south), Arborfield Garrison (8 miles south) and Horncastle (5 miles south-west).
Well-known places in the area include Royal Berkshire Hospital (2.8 miles south) and Berkshire Medical Heritage Centre Museum (2.8 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Sonning Hill and South Lake.
- Local schools include Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre (1.7 miles west)
- Nearby, you will find The Flowing Spring pub (0.6 miles south-east)
DIY paella versus live catering
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
Also near Dunsden Green
Also in Dunsden Green
Why choose live paella in Dunsden Green?
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel special. 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.
What you get with us
- Events in Dunsden Green and across Reading
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
See Our pricing Or The cost guide.
Dunsden Green: your questions answered
We’re having a ceremony at All Saints Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Do you come out to small places like Dunsden Green?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
Are the tapas fresh?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue so they’re served at their best.
How much is live paella catering?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
Do you clear up afterwards?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Sangria and bar staff can be added.
What areas do you cover?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Of course. Tapas can be booked without paella.
Planning for every diet
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Label seafood clearly
- Check diets in advance
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Serving boards and crockery.
Prices and what affects them
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- How many courses
- Travel, parking and access
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Timings and hours
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Details that help
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- Where the event is
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Expected numbers
- Your date and when you want to eat
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we will suggest a menu. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
Planners, venues and businesses
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Organising a club, school or community event in Dunsden Green? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
Planning the cooking area
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We need:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Room for a tapas table
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Menu ideas
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
The process
When we arrive, 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. At midsummer, it is light in Dunsden Green until about 9:25pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- 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
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
Ask for a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we’re available that day.
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