Oxfordshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Mapledurham, Oxfordshire
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Mapledurham: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Tapas starters
Book tapas catering in Mapledurham
DIY paella versus live catering
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
About our tapas catering in Mapledurham
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; for seated meals, table tapas. Lots of events do both. We cook Manchego with membrillo, croquetas and Serrano ham, and we are frequently booked for welcome-drink canapés and evening grazing.
For a country party near Mapledurham, tapas and sangria set the mood. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
- Location
- Mapledurham (RG8, RG4, RG31)
- County
- Oxfordshire
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
What happens on the day
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, which we agree with you beforehand. Sunset in Mapledurham is around 9:25pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
Before we arrive
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Tell us when you want to eat
Getting a price
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, use our quote form.
Planning help
For event organisers in Mapledurham
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Mapledurham? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
Planning the cooking area
We’ll be honest if a space won’t work, and suggest an alternative. What matters most:
- Space for a serving table or station
- Parking near the venue
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
On the menu in Mapledurham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
The menu, dish by dish
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns.
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
What tapas catering costs
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- Parking and unloading
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Waiting and bar staff
- Timings and hours
There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Details that help
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Which courses you have in mind
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Events we cater in Mapledurham
They make a perfect starter before paella.
Here are some of the events we cook for:
- Engagement parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Sharing tapas starters
- Tapas with a paella main course
Guests travelling by rail: Tilehurst station is about 1 mile away.
What to look for in a quote
- Staff numbers and hours
- Travel and parking costs
- When payment is due
- Allergen information for each dish
Drinks receptions around Mapledurham
Mapledurham is about 3 miles west of Caversham, in Oxfordshire. Anywhere in RG8, we will come to your venue or garden. We cover all 443 towns and villages in Oxfordshire.
Nearby historic houses include Mapledurham House (less than half a mile east) and Basildon Park (3.7 miles west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Margaret and Bardolf Aisle, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
For tapas catering in RG8, RG4 and RG31, we plan around your venue. We can cater an event on streets such as St Mary's Avenue, Park Walk and The Short. Nearby, we also cater events in Purley on Thames (1 mile south-west), Trench Green (1 mile north-east), Tilehurst (2 miles south), Chazey Heath (2 miles east) and Norcot (2 miles south). Further out, we also cater in Didcot (12 miles north-west), Henley-on-Thames (7 miles north-east), Benson (10 miles north), Wallingford (9 miles north-west), Great Western Park (13 miles north-west) and Watlington (11 miles north).
A little further out are Royal Berkshire Regiment Museum (2.4 miles south-east) and Battle Hospital (2.5 miles south-east). Not far away are South Lake and Moor Copse Nature Reserve.
- Schools near Mapledurham include Denefield School (1.2 miles south-west)
- Pubs nearby include Roebuck pub (0.8 miles south)
Your questions about tapas catering in Mapledurham
Could we have live paella in Round Copse?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
Is Mapledurham close to London?
Roughly 41 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Do you offer halal options?
We can. Let us know your halal numbers, and it is cooked separately.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes. We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook on the day, serving it hot from the pan.
Do you do starters?
Yes, it is the classic pairing. Tapas first, paella to follow.
How much does tapas catering cost in Mapledurham?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we will send a quote.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three is usual: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We’ll help you decide the split.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Catering for every guest
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Collect dietary needs
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Waiting staff for canapés.
Places near Mapledurham
What else we do in Mapledurham
- 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