Reading · England
Tapas Catering for Emmer Green events
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Emmer Green and across Reading.
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas before paella
- Anniversary parties
Book tapas catering in Emmer Green
Tapas catering for your event in Emmer Green
We can add sangria and bar staff, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. For birthday drinks and office parties and launches, we can cook Manchego with membrillo, gambas al ajillo and croquetas for your guests.
Around Emmer Green, tapas suit garden parties and village-hall celebrations. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, each in a separate pan.
DIY paella versus live catering
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to 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.
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Where we can cook in Emmer Green
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Space for a serving table or station
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Popular choices
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
Emmer Green: your questions answered
Is Emmer Green close to London?
About 37 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Which station should guests use for Emmer Green?
The closest is Reading station, roughly 1.7 miles away.
How many different paellas?
Normally two or three, so every guest has a choice. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.
Do you do starters?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Even if it is short notice, it’s worth asking.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Yes, tapas work on their own, for receptions, parties and evening food.
Which areas do you serve?
We cover London and the South East, Reading included. See all areas.
Receptions and parties in Emmer Green
Emmer Green is about 1 mile north-east of Caversham, in Reading. Events in Emmer Green are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. Emmer Green is one of 34 places in Reading we cover.
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St Barnabas Church Hall. Historic buildings near Emmer Green frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
Anywhere in RG4, we can bring tapas catering to you. From Kiln Road, Grove Road and Barnes Road or a nearby road, we will bring the pans to you. Nearby, we also cater events in Caversham (1 mile south-west), Caversham Park Village (1 mile east), Littlestead Green (1 mile north-east), Dunsden Green (1 mile north-east) and Chalkhouse Green (1 mile north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Norcot (3 miles south-west), Tilehurst Within (4 miles south-west), Shinfield (5 miles south), Arborfield Garrison (7 miles south), Horncastle (4 miles south-west) and Whitley Wood (5 miles south).
Well-known places in the area include Broad Street Mall (2 miles south) and Royal Berkshire Hospital (2.2 miles south). Open spaces near Emmer Green include Sonning Hill and Fobney Island Wetland Reserve.
- Local schools include Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre (0.6 miles west) and Chiltern Nursery Nurse Training School (0.7 miles south)
- Pubs nearby include The White Horse pub (within half a mile west)
How the day works
When we arrive, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so the timing is planned around your event. A summer drinks reception in Emmer Green has daylight until about 9:25pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Check the venue allows live cooking
Ask for a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
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For planners, venues and organisers
If you’re organising for someone else, whether you are a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so guests are fed quickly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Live paella or other catering?
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we will suggest a menu.
Why us?
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
Take a look at How we price Or Our guide to catering costs.
Catering for every guest
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Collect dietary needs
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
Afterwards, we clear away.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
Events we cater in Emmer Green
Big or small, tapas work.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in Emmer Green book us for occasions like:
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Work receptions
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Table tapas as a starter
Historic houses near Emmer Green include Mapledurham House (3.2 miles west) and Greys Court (4.3 miles north). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Questions to ask before booking
- When payment is due
- How bad weather is handled
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- The deadline for final numbers
Also near Emmer Green
Other catering in Emmer Green
- 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