Reading · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Shinfield, Reading
Looking for tapas catering in Shinfield? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Cocktail parties
- Engagement drinks
- Evening grazing
Planning an event in Shinfield?
How our tapas catering works in Shinfield
Tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties, office events and weddings in and around Shinfield. Whether it’s birthday and anniversary parties and tapas with a paella main course, we can cook patatas bravas, tortilla española and Serrano ham.
Tapas make a party in Shinfield easy and sociable. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in a separate pan.
For event organisers in Shinfield
Organising a club, school or community event in Shinfield? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Nearby places to Shinfield
More for events in Shinfield
What tapas catering costs
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- The number of people
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Travel, parking and access
- The paellas you choose
The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What we need to know
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- The courses you’d like
- Expected numbers
- The date and time of the event
- What the venue already provides
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To get it right:
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Label seafood clearly
Staff keep the canapés coming.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Your questions about tapas catering in Shinfield
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Mary the Virgin?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Is Shinfield close to London?
Roughly 37 miles from the centre of London.
Do you cook inside?
Usually we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
Are the tapas served hot?
We finish hot dishes on site; cold tapas are laid out as guests arrive.
How do you work out quantities?
That depends on their role in the meal. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest quantities.
Which areas do you serve?
We cater across London and the South East, Reading included. See all areas.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes. Children frequently love a simple chicken paella. Tell us how many are coming.
Can you supply plates?
If you need them, yes. Proper crockery or quality disposables can be added to your booking.
How it works
A typical event goes like this: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, your guests watch the rice cook, and it is served hot from the pan when you are ready to eat. At midsummer, it is light in Shinfield until about 9:25pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Leave space around the cooking area
How to get a price
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. When you are ready, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Live paella or other catering?
Standard canapés can feel samey. Tapas bring something different. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What you get with us
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
Take a look at Our prices page And Our guide to catering costs.
Tapas for events in Shinfield
Shinfield is about 3 miles south of Reading, in Reading. We cater events at gardens, halls and venues around Shinfield and the surrounding area. We cover 34 places across Reading, from the larger towns to small villages.
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Mary the Virgin, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Historic houses near Shinfield include Stratfield Saye House (4.5 miles south-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
We cook at events all over RG2. That could mean an event in a garden on Teal Grove, Songbird Close and Skylark Way. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Ryeish Green (1 mile south-west), Whitley Wood (1 mile north-west), Three Mile Cross (1 mile west), Great Lea Common (1 mile west) and Arborfield (2 miles east). Larger places within reach include Caversham (5 miles north), Norcot (5 miles north-west), West Reading (4 miles north-west), Tilehurst Within (5 miles north-west), Arborfield Garrison (3 miles south-east) and Caversham Heights (5 miles north). Shinfield is one of the larger places we cover in Reading, with lots of choice for events.
Well-known places in the area include Berkshire Library & Museum of Freemasonry (2.9 miles north-east) and Royal Berkshire Hospital (3.1 miles north). Not far away are Longwater and Sonning Hill.
- Local schools include Oakbank (0.7 miles west) and Ryeish Green School (0.7 miles west)
- Nearby, you will find Bell & Bottle pub (under half a mile south-east)
What we need at the venue
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Parking near the venue
- A spot for our serving station
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
What we offer
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
Perfect for your event in Shinfield
One spread covers many tastes and diets.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Anniversary parties
- Evening grazing
- Engagement parties
- Drinks parties and receptions
Parks such as Pearman's Copse have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
Questions to ask before you book
- A clear list of what’s included
- The deposit and payment dates
- Whether travel is included
- Whether VAT is included
- 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