Wokingham · England
Tapas Catering for Reading events
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Reading.
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas before paella
- Work receptions
Tapas catering for Reading events
Tapas catering for your event in Reading
Hot tapas are finished on site, so they’re served at their best. We are often asked to cater tapas with a paella main course and receptions and drinks parties, with patatas bravas, padrón peppers and croquetas.
For a drinks reception in Reading, canapé tapas keep guests mingling. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
Planning a tapas spread in Reading
Reading is about 38 miles west of London, in Wokingham. From the centre of Reading to the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Reading is one of 35 places in Wokingham we cover.
Guests travelling by rail: Reading West station is about 0.7 miles away. Nearby historic houses include Mapledurham House (3.6 miles north-west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Tapas catering in RG6, RG31, RG1 and RG30 is planned around your venue and your guests. From Downshire Square, Market Way and Market Place or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Main roads around Reading include the A4 and A33, which makes travel to your event easy. Nearby, we also cater events in Coley Park (1 mile south-west), West Reading (1 mile north-west), Newtown (1 mile east), Lower Caversham (1 mile north-east) and Whitley (2 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Wokingham (6 miles south-east), Woodley (3 miles east), Crowthorne (9 miles south-east), Lower Earley (3 miles south-east), Winnersh (4 miles east) and Woosehill (6 miles south-east). Reading is among the bigger towns we cover in Wokingham, with lots of choice for events.
Nearby you will also find The Oracle (within half a mile north-east) and Berkshire Medical Heritage Centre Museum (0.8 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Sonning Hill and Longwater.
- Nearby schools include Eurospeak Language School (0.5 miles north) and Kendrick School (0.6 miles north-east)
- Pubs nearby include Former Kennet Arms (under half a mile east)
- Other local spots include University of Reading library (1.5 miles south-east)
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it is in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Diets, allergies and planning
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
Table tapas are set down to share.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Common questions in Reading
What’s the nearest station to Reading for guests?
Reading West station, about 0.7 miles north-west of the centre.
Can you cater a reception after a service at All Nations Christian Centre?
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 normally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Can you supply plates?
We can. Tell us what your venue provides and we’ll include the rest in the quote.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away; cold tapas are laid out as guests arrive.
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.
How much space do you need?
Not a lot: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a picture.
Where do you cater?
We cater across London and the South East, Wokingham included. Find your area.
How long do you need on site?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
How the day works
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you are free to enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first as the rice is cooking. Evening receptions in Reading stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- 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.
Preparing for the day
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
Get a quote
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Tell us about your event in Reading, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Planning help
What we need at the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Room for a tapas table
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
Popular choices
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
Prices and what affects them
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Your choice of paellas
- How many courses
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Details that help
To speed things up, tell us:
- A photo of the space, if you can
- The date and rough timings
- Expected numbers
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, send us your details through our quote form.
Why choose live paella in Reading?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel special. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
What you get with us
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Drinks service on request
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
Nearby places to Reading
Also in Reading
Perfect for your event in Reading
Tapas get people talking.
Here are some of the events we cook for in Reading and Wokingham:
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Birthday drinks
- Table tapas as a starter
- Canapés with welcome drinks
If you are looking at a historic venue around Reading, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Questions to ask before you book
- How long the team stays
- What the price includes, item by item
- Space, access and power needs
- What happens if it rains
About the dishes
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil.
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free when made carefully.
- 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