Reading · England
Tapas Catering in Southcote
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella turns food into part of your event in Southcote.
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Engagement celebrations
Tapas catering near Southcote
Tapas catering for your event in Southcote
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. Whether it is engagement drinks and work receptions, we’ll put together a menu of Manchego with membrillo, gambas al ajillo and patatas bravas and more.
For a party in a place like Southcote, a tapas spread is easy and sociable. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
Southcote: your questions answered
Is Southcote close to London?
Roughly 40 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Can you cook in Calcot Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, normally the council. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
Which areas do you serve?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
How much paella per person?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.
Do you cater for young children?
Yes, children are easy to cater for. Let us know numbers and ages, and we’ll plan for them.
Should we have more than one paella?
Usually two or three, so every guest has a choice. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we will suggest the mix.
Do you supply canapé staff?
Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to carry them round.
What affects the price in Southcote
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Guest numbers
- Distance and access to the venue
- Your choice of paellas
Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We’ll send you a quote.
What to tell us
For a quote, it helps to have:
- The date and time of the event
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Which courses you have in mind
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
Not sure what you need yet? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. To start, use our quote form.
Planning a tapas spread in Southcote
Southcote is about 2 miles west of Reading, in Reading. Events in Southcote are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. Southcote is one of 34 towns and villages in Reading where we cook.
Parks such as Calcot Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. After a ceremony at a church such as St Matthew's, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Anywhere in RG30, RG31 and RG1, we can bring tapas catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Local streets include Bath Road, Dwyer Road and Brunel Road; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Nearby, we also cater events in Fords Farm (1 mile west), Horncastle (1 mile west), Burghfield Bridge (1 mile south-west), Tilehurst Within (1 mile north-west) and Norcot (1 mile north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Caversham (3 miles north-east), Shinfield (4 miles south-east), Arborfield Garrison (6 miles south-east), Caversham Heights (3 miles north), Whitley Wood (3 miles south-east) and Sonning Common (5 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include Beaumys Castle (4.7 miles south) and Battle Hospital (1.3 miles north-east). The countryside around Southcote includes Sonning Hill and South Lake.
- Schools near Southcote include Prospect School (0.5 miles north-west) and Elvian School (0.6 miles north-east)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Happy Prospect pub (less than half a mile east)
DIY paella versus live catering
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.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
What we need at the venue
No two venues are the same, so we will ask about yours when you contact us. In general, we need:
- Parking near the venue
- Space on each table
- Space for a serving table or station
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before you book.
What we offer
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
Dietary needs and planning tips
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To get it right:
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Waiting staff for canapés.
Towns and villages near Southcote
What else we do in Southcote
Why choose tapas catering in Southcote?
Tapas get people talking, because everyone shares.
Here are some of the events we cook for around Southcote:
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Cocktail parties
- Tapas and paella menus
- Engagement drinks
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Reading Green Park station, about 1.1 miles south.
Before you book anyone
- Who provides the crockery
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- How each diet is kept separate
- What happens if it rains
Paella compared with other options
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Why book with us
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Events in Southcote and across Reading
How the day works
Once the rice is in, we don’t stir it. That is how the grains cook evenly and the toasted base, the socarrat, forms. The smell usually draws people over. Evening receptions in Southcote stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Preparing for the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Let us know the timings for the day
Ask for a quote
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Southcote? Tell us what you have in mind and we will reply with a menu and a clear price. To contact us, use our quote form.
Read more
Working with your venue
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Southcote? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
If you’re organising for someone else, whether you’re a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
- 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