West Berkshire · England
Tapas Catering in Sandleford
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Sandleford: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests.
- Tapas starters
- Launches and office parties
- Engagement parties
Tapas catering in Sandleford
How our tapas catering works in Sandleford
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. On the menu are gambas al ajillo, tortilla española and croquetas, and typical bookings are for welcome-drink canapés and tapas and paella menus.
In a rural spot like Sandleford, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We plan the timings around your day, so the paella is ready when you want to eat.
- Where
- Sandleford (RG19, RG20, RG14)
- Area hub
- West Berkshire
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Who books tapas catering in Sandleford?
They cover lots of tastes and diets in one spread.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Engagement parties
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Work receptions
- Welcome-drink canapés
Historic houses near Sandleford include Shaw House (2.4 miles north) and Benham Park (3 miles north-west). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Questions to ask before booking
- VAT, if it applies
- Staff numbers and hours
- Travel and parking costs
- The venue requirements
About the dishes
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Before you choose a spot
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We need:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Space for a serving table or station
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
What we offer
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
Step by step
Once the rice is in, we do not stir it. That is what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. The smell typically draws people over. Evening receptions in Sandleford stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
How to prepare
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Have a level space ready for the pans
Getting a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will confirm whether we’re available that day.
Read more
Working with your venue
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, whether you’re a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we’ll work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
What affects the price in Sandleford
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Your choice of paellas
- How many courses
- Guest numbers
- How many staff you need
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
What to tell us
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Roughly how many adults and children
- A photo of the space, if you can
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll come back with a clear quote.
Towns and villages near Sandleford
Also in Sandleford
FAQs for Sandleford
How far is Sandleford from London?
About 53 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Is Sandleford too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain does not stop us, as long as there’s a ventilated cover. We will talk it through before the day.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, on request. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables can be added to your booking.
How do you work out quantities?
It depends on whether they’re a starter, canapés or the whole meal. We will suggest quantities for your event.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Yes. Tapas and canapés can be booked on their own.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria, yes. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
Planning a tapas spread in Sandleford
Sandleford is about 1 mile south of Newbury, in West Berkshire. We cook at events in homes, gardens and venues in Sandleford and nearby villages. We cover 155 places in West Berkshire. Our events stretch from Sandleford to Reading (about 15 miles away).
A picnic in Sandleford Priory? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is frequently easier for catering. After a ceremony at a church such as St Gabriel's School, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
We cater events across RG19, RG20 and RG14. From Priory Place, Laurel Gardens and Sandleford Lodge Park or a nearby road, we will bring the pans to you. Nearby, we also cater events in Greenham (1 mile north-east), Newtown Common (1 mile south-west), Wash Common (1 mile west), Burghclere Common (1 mile south) and Newbury (1 mile north). Within a short drive, we also cover Thatcham (3 miles north-east), Burghfield Common (11 miles east), Hungerford (9 miles west), Spencers Wood (15 miles east), Calcot (12 miles east) and Lambourn (13 miles north-west).
Nearby you’ll also find Donnington Castle (3 miles north) and Old Chapel Textile Centre (1.6 miles east). Open spaces near Sandleford include Beacon Hill and Audrey's Meadow.
- Local schools include Park House School (1.1 miles west) and St Bartholomew's School (1.2 miles north-west)
Dietary needs and planning tips
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Here’s how:
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Check diets in advance
Canapés go round with the drinks.
Bar staff and sangria.
- 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