Reading · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Whitley Wood, Reading
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Whitley Wood and the surrounding area.
- Sharing tapas starters
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Engagement parties
Planning an event in Whitley Wood?
How it works
We work to your timings. If things run behind, we hold the paella at the right stage so it’s still served fresh. Sunset in Whitley Wood is around 9:25pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
How to prepare
- Give us a contact for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Tell us when you want to eat
How to get a price
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll suggest a menu. Start when you’re ready: fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Tapas catering for your event in Whitley Wood
We’ll suggest a selection to suit your timings and guests, starter or main event. We cook Manchego with membrillo, patatas bravas and albóndigas, and we’re frequently booked for engagement drinks and cocktail parties.
In Whitley Wood, tapas work at home or in a local hall. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Check diets in advance
Canapés circulate with drinks.
Serving boards and crockery.
For planners, venues and organisers
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we’re happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It saves passing messages back and forth.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
A closer look at the menu
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
Where we can cook in Whitley Wood
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Permission from the venue
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
On the menu in Whitley Wood
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
Perfect for your event in Whitley Wood
They’re ideal when a full meal doesn’t fit.
These are some of the occasions we cater:
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Sharing tapas starters
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Work receptions
Nearby historic houses include Stratfield Saye House (4.9 miles south). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Before you book anyone
- Space, access and power needs
- Travel and parking costs
- Staff numbers and hours
- When final numbers are due
Planning a tapas spread in Whitley Wood
Whitley Wood is about 2 miles south-west of Earley, in Reading. We cater events at gardens, halls and venues around Whitley Wood and the surrounding area. We cater in all 34 towns and villages in Reading, from the larger towns to small villages.
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Reading Green Park station, about 1.9 miles north-west. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St Paul's Church.
For tapas catering in RG2, RG7 and RG6, we plan around your venue and your guests. Streets in the area include Tidman Road, Church Lane and Spencer Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. You will find Whitley Wood on the M4, so it’s easy for us to reach with the van and pans. Other places close to Whitley Wood for tapas catering include Whitley (1 mile north), Great Lea Common (1 mile south-west), Shinfield (1 mile south-east), Three Mile Cross (1 mile south-west) and Ryeish Green (1 mile south). Further out, we also cater in Caversham (4 miles north), Norcot (4 miles north-west), West Reading (3 miles north-west), Tilehurst Within (4 miles north-west), Arborfield Garrison (4 miles south-east) and Caversham Heights (4 miles north). Whitley Wood is among the bigger towns we cover in Reading, with plenty of venues for events.
Well-known places in the area include Royal Berkshire Hospital (2.4 miles north) and The Oracle (2.6 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Sonning Hill and Longwater.
- Schools near Whitley Wood include John Madejski Academy (0.6 miles north) and Crosfields School (0.7 miles north-east)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Six Bells pub (less than half a mile south-east)
- Local facilities include University of Reading library (1.8 miles north-east)
Places near Whitley Wood
More for events in Whitley Wood
How we price tapas catering
Every event is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- The length of service
- How many guests are eating
- The paellas you choose
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so it helps to tell us about your venue. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Getting an accurate quote
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but these help:
- The address or venue name
- The date and rough timings
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will come back with a clear quote.
FAQs for Whitley Wood
What’s the nearest station to Whitley Wood for guests?
Reading Green Park station, about 1.9 miles north-west of the centre.
Can you cook in Pearman's Copse?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
How much is live paella catering?
We quote for each event, so you only pay for what you need. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas for a clear quote.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, it is the classic pairing. Tapas first, paella to follow.
When should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Peak dates go quickly, so contact us early.
What if the weather’s bad?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We will talk it through before the day.
How many paellas should we have?
Generally two or three, so every guest has a choice. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
What space do you need to cook?
Less than you might think: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. Send us a picture if you’re not sure.
- 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