Wokingham · England
Tapas Catering in Woodley
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Woodley: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Tapas starters
- Tapas with a paella main course
Tapas catering in Woodley
About our tapas catering in Woodley
We finish hot tapas on site, so they’re served at their best. For tapas and paella menus and engagement celebrations, we can cook patatas bravas, padrón peppers and gambas al ajillo for your guests.
In Woodley, tapas and paella together make a complete menu. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, never made in advance and reheated, and served the moment it is ready.
Planners, venues and businesses
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Common questions in Woodley
Can you cater a reception after a service at United Reformed Church?
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.
Could we have live paella in Ali's Pond Local Nature Reserve?
Only if the landowner, usually the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
Do you cater in Woodley?
Yes. We cover London and the South East, and Woodley is within our area. To check your date, send us your details through our quote form.
What if the weather’s bad?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We’ll make a plan B with you.
How much paella per person?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Tell us what else is being served. See how much paella per person.
Are the tapas fresh?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, served while the paella cooks.
Why choose live paella in Woodley?
Standard canapés can feel samey. Tapas bring something different. Got a budget? Let us know, and we will put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why choose Love Paella in Woodley
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Drinks service on request
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
What we need at the venue
Before the day, we will agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Parking near the venue
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly.
Menu ideas
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
Also near Woodley
What else we do in Woodley
Dietary needs and planning tips
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Crockery and serving dishes.
About the dishes
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Who books tapas catering in Woodley?
They suit standing receptions where a full meal does not fit.
If you are planning any of these, we can help:
- Engagement celebrations
- Tapas before paella
- Birthday drinks
- Launches and office parties
If you are looking at a historic venue around Woodley, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Before you book anyone
- A clear list of what’s included
- Payment terms and deposit
- How bad weather is handled
- Travel and parking costs
How the day works
The cooking is part of the entertainment. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook. At midsummer, it is light in Woodley until about 9:25pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Before we arrive
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
Ask for a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Planning a tapas spread in Woodley
Woodley is about 3 miles east of Reading, in Wokingham. Give us the address of your event in Woodley, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up. We cook in all 35 towns and villages in Wokingham.
Parks such as Ali's Pond Local Nature Reserve have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. After a ceremony at a church such as United Reformed Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
We cook at events all over the RG5, RG6 and RG10 postcode area. That could mean an event in a garden on Church Road, Jasmine Square and London Road or the roads around them. With the A4 and A3290 close by, Woodley is simple for us to get to for your event. Nearby, we also cater events in Charvil (2 miles north), Whistley Green (2 miles east), Winnersh (2 miles south), Hurst (2 miles east) and Twyford (2 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Reading (3 miles west), Wokingham (4 miles south-east), Crowthorne (7 miles south-east), Woosehill (3 miles south-east), Emmbrook (3 miles south-east) and Coley Park (4 miles west). Woodley is among the bigger towns we cover in Wokingham, with plenty of venues for events.
Nearby you will also find Berkshire Library & Museum of Freemasonry (2.1 miles south) and Royal Berkshire Hospital (2.7 miles west). Green spaces nearby include South Lake and Alder Moors.
- Schools near Woodley include Waingels College (0.8 miles north) and The Bulmershe School (0.9 miles west)
- Local pubs include The Bull And Chequers pub (less than half a mile north)
Prices and what affects them
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Timings and hours
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What we need to know
These details help us quote quickly:
- What the venue already provides
- The date and time of the event
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
- 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