Reading · England
Tapas Catering in Fords Farm
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Fords Farm. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Sharing tapas starters
- Receptions and drinks parties
Tapas catering in Fords Farm
Tapas catering for your event in Fords Farm
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; for seated meals, table tapas. Lots of events do both. Whether it is drinks parties and receptions and engagement celebrations, we can cook patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo and Manchego with membrillo for your guests.
Around Fords Farm, tapas suit garden parties and village-hall celebrations. We serve straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and service is quick once it is ready.
What’s in the pans
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free when made carefully.
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Receptions and parties in Fords Farm
Fords Farm is about 2 miles west of Reading, in Reading. Wherever your event is in the RG30 area, we can bring the pans to you. We cover all 34 towns and villages across Reading, from the larger towns to small villages.
Nearby historic houses include Mapledurham House (3.1 miles north). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Parks such as Calcot Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
This part of Reading takes in RG30 and RG31, so your event can be anywhere in it. Your event could be at a home on Low Lane, Mill Lane and Bath Road. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Horncastle (1 mile north), Southcote (1 mile east), Burghfield Bridge (1 mile south), Beansheaf Farm (1 mile west) and Calcot (1 mile west). Within a short drive, we also cover Caversham (4 miles north-east), Shinfield (4 miles south-east), Arborfield Garrison (7 miles south-east), Caversham Heights (3 miles north-east), Whitley Wood (3 miles south-east) and Sonning Common (6 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include Battle Hospital (1.7 miles north-east) and Beaumys Castle (4.8 miles south-east). The countryside around Fords Farm includes Fobney Island Wetland Reserve and South Lake.
- Nearby schools include Prospect School (0.5 miles north-east) and Elvian School (1.1 miles east)
- Nearby, you will find The Cunning Man pub (0.6 miles south)
What affects the price in Fords Farm
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, depending on:
- The paellas you choose
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- How many staff you need
- Guest numbers
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’ll suggest a menu.
What we need to know
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but these help:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- The date and rough timings
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, use our quote form.
Towns and villages near Fords Farm
More for events in Fords Farm
Events we cater in Fords Farm
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
Whatever you’re celebrating in Fords Farm, paella can be the star of the food. We often cook for:
- Cocktail parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Tapas and paella menus
- Sharing boards for evening guests
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St Matthew's.
Questions to ask before you book
- How long the team stays
- The wet-weather plan
- The venue requirements
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
DIY paella versus live catering
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Diets, allergies and planning
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Label seafood clearly
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Where we can cook in Fords Farm
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We need:
- A spot for our serving station
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- An area to prepare hot tapas
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Menu ideas
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
Fords Farm: your questions answered
Can you cook in Calcot Park?
Only if the landowner, usually the council, allows it. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Matthew's?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is normally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
How much does tapas catering cost in Fords Farm?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, if you need them. Tell us what your venue provides and we will include the rest in the quote.
Which areas do you serve?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Who clears up?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
How many tapas per person?
That depends on their role in the meal. We will suggest quantities for your event.
How it works
When the rice goes in, it’s left alone. That’s how the grains cook evenly and the toasted base, the socarrat, forms. The smell generally draws people over. Sunset in Fords Farm is around 9:25pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We pack down when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
How to get a price
Send us the date, your venue or RG30 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and we will reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just use our quote form.
Planning help
For event organisers in Fords Farm
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Fords Farm? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
- 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