West Berkshire · England
Tapas Catering for West Ilsley events
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across West Ilsley and West Berkshire, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Tapas starters
- Cocktail parties
- Evening grazing
Tapas catering in West Ilsley
About our tapas catering in West Ilsley
The best spreads mix hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. For table tapas as a starter and work receptions, we’ll put together a menu of croquetas, tortilla española and gambas al ajillo for your guests.
Near West Ilsley, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
- Location
- West Ilsley (RG20)
- County
- West Berkshire
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Step by step
On the day, we set up our cooking area, light the burners and start the sofrito. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so the timing is planned around your event. Evening receptions in West Ilsley stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
How to prepare
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Tell us when you want to eat
Ask for a quote
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll make suggestions. Start when you’re ready: send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Planning a tapas spread in West Ilsley
West Ilsley is about 6 miles south-west of Didcot, in West Berkshire. Whether your event is in the middle of West Ilsley or on the outskirts, tapas catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. West Ilsley is one of 155 towns and villages in West Berkshire where we cook. We cook right across the region, from West Ilsley to Oxford (about 15 miles away).
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of All Saints, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. West Ilsley is within about 4 miles of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
This part of West Berkshire takes in RG20, so your event can be anywhere in it. Your event could be at a home on Bury Lane and Churchway or the roads around them. We also cook at events in Catmore (2 miles south-west), Stanmore (2 miles south), Farnborough (3 miles west), Brightwalton (4 miles south-west) and Brightwalton Green (4 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Newbury (10 miles south), Thatcham (10 miles south), Burghfield Common (15 miles south-east), Speenhamland (9 miles south), Hungerford (12 miles south-west) and Calcot (13 miles south-east).
A little further out are Atlas Computer Laboratory (2.4 miles north). Not far away are Mowbray Fields and Churn Hill.
- Pubs nearby include The Harrow pub (within half a mile west)
Working with your venue
Throwing a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Dietary needs and planning tips
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Include staff for canapés
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
Tapas go out to the tables.
Sangria and bar staff.
Space, weather and the venue
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but a few things matter:
- Permission from the venue
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Room for a tapas table
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before booking.
What we offer
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
What you get with us
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- A quote that spells everything out
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
Read How we price Or Our guide to catering costs.
A closer look at the menu
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite.
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Nearby places to West Ilsley
Other catering in West Ilsley
Perfect for your event in West Ilsley
They’re ideal when a full meal doesn’t fit.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Anniversary parties
- Engagement celebrations
- Sharing tapas starters
- Canapés with welcome drinks
If you’re looking at a historic venue around West Ilsley, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
What your quote should include
- The deadline for final numbers
- What the price includes, item by item
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Payment terms and deposit
West Ilsley questions
We are having a ceremony at Church of All Saints: can you cater afterwards?
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 usually elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Is West Ilsley too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes, always. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Courtyards, doorways and terraces frequently work.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, we do. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in a separate pan.
What if the weather’s bad?
Rain does not stop us, as long as there’s a ventilated cover. We’ll make a plan B with you.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, served while the paella cooks.
Do you cover West Ilsley?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, and West Ilsley is within our area and the rest of West Berkshire. To check your date, fill in our quote form.
DIY paella versus live catering
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.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
- 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