West Berkshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Spencers Wood, West Berkshire
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Spencers Wood and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Table tapas as a starter
- Launches and office parties
- Evening grazing
Live tapas catering in Spencers Wood
The process
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Guests normally gather round to watch while it cooks. Sunset in Spencers Wood is around 9:25pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
How to prepare
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Share the running order, including any speeches
Get a quote
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Spencers Wood? Send us the details and we’ll come back with ideas and a quote. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Tapas catering in Spencers Wood, cooked live
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. We cook Manchego with membrillo, Serrano ham and padrón peppers, and we’re frequently booked for engagement celebrations and receptions and drinks parties.
In Spencers Wood, tapas work at home or in a local hall. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
- Location
- Spencers Wood (RG7, RG2)
- Area hub
- West Berkshire
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Dishes our guests love
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil.
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Places near Spencers Wood
Also in Spencers Wood
What we need at the venue
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We look for:
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Space for a serving table or station
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
Menu ideas
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
Planning a tapas spread in Spencers Wood
Spencers Wood is about 4 miles south of Reading, in West Berkshire. Whether your event is in the middle of Spencers Wood or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cater in all 155 towns and villages across West Berkshire.
Historic houses near Spencers Wood include Stratfield Saye House (3.3 miles south). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. Parks such as Swallowfield Meadow have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
Tapas catering in RG7 and RG2 is planned around your venue and timings. We can cater an event on streets such as The Square, Green End Close and Salmon Close. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Grazeley (1 mile west), Swallowfield (1 mile south), Beech Hill (2 miles south-west), Riseley (2 miles south) and Arborfield Cross (3 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Newbury (15 miles west), Thatcham (12 miles west), Burghfield Common (4 miles west), Speenhamland (15 miles west), Calcot (5 miles north-west) and Shaw (15 miles west). As one of the bigger places in West Berkshire, Spencers Wood has plenty of venues and gardens for events.
Other landmarks nearby include Beaumys Castle (1.4 miles south) and Royal Berkshire Hospital (3.9 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Longwater and The Marshes Local Nature Reserve.
- Schools near Spencers Wood include Ryeish Green School (0.6 miles north) and Lambs Lane Primary School (0.7 miles south)
- Pubs nearby include The Farriers Arms (within half a mile north-west)
What affects the price in Spencers Wood
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Timings and hours
- Travel, parking and access
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
Got a budget? Let us know, and we will suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Details that help
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The venue or postcode
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Live paella or other catering?
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, which makes them easy to plan around. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Why book with us
- A quote that spells everything out
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
Take a look at Our prices page Or Our guide to catering costs.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Check diets in advance
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Serving boards and crockery.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and do not stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
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.
Why choose tapas catering in Spencers Wood?
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We regularly cater:
- Table tapas as a starter
- Office parties and launches
- Drinks reception canapés
- Sharing boards for evening guests
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Reading Green Park station, about 2.6 miles north-west.
What to look for in a quote
- What the price includes, item by item
- The deadline for final numbers
- Payment terms and deposit
- How bad weather is handled
Your questions about tapas catering in Spencers Wood
How far is Spencers Wood from London?
Roughly 38 miles from the centre of London.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Michael and All Angels?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
How long do you need on site?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in a separate pan.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
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.
Is the paella gluten-free?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
Do you cover Spencers Wood?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Spencers Wood and across West Berkshire. Send us your date to check availability.
Do you do starters?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, while the rice is cooking.
- 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