Reading · England
BBQ Catering in Play Hatch
Thinking about a catered barbecue in Play Hatch? We cook outdoors under cover, with vegetarian and vegan options alongside the meat.
- Garden parties
- Birthdays and milestone parties
- Team days and staff summer parties
Planning an event in Play Hatch?
Space, access and the venue
Planning the cooking spot is the key. Check these:
- A level lawn, patio or hard standing
- A gazebo, marquee or room indoors as a back-up
- A clear way in from where we park
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and the way in, and we’ll say what we think before you book.
From the grill
- Halloumi skewers (V)
- Sausages
- Chicken skewers
- Jacket potatoes
- Beef burgers
- Pulled pork
- Coleslaw
- Beef brisket
- Vegan burger or sausage (Ve)
- New potatoes
- Salads
- BBQ ribs
BBQ catering in Play Hatch, served hot
With BBQ catering, the barbecue, the food and the cooking are all on us. Our chef grills on site in Play Hatch, under cover, and our staff serve and clear. Typical bookings include 18th, 21st, 40th and 50th birthdays and retirement do’s, with coleslaw, beef burgers and halloumi skewers.
Country barbecues near Play Hatch are hard to beat on a summer evening. Have a covered area for guests in wet weather, and think about lighting if it runs late. Everything is cooked through properly, with separate equipment for raw and cooked food.
Places near Play Hatch
Also in Play Hatch
A catered barbecue compared with other options
Compared with hiring a venue’s in-house menu, a catered barbecue lets you choose exactly what’s served. Compare like for like: menu, sides, serving time, staff, plates and travel. The cheapest quote isn’t always the best value.
Why book with us
- Add a hog roast alongside
- A clear quote with everything listed
- Served at the time you choose
- Sides to make it a full meal
Take a look at how we price and our barbecue menu ideas.
Perfect for your event in Play Hatch
Food safety taken care of
People around Play Hatch book us for everything from small get-togethers to big outdoor events. Popular choices:
- Team days and staff summer parties
- Community fun days
- Fundraising barbecues
- Neighbourhood parties
Coming by train? Reading station, about 2.2 miles south-west, is the nearest station.
What your quote should include
- What crockery is supplied
- Payment terms and cancellation policy
- Any travel or access charges
- The menu, including sides and any extras
What happens on the day
A barbecue is cooked as people eat, so we time our arrival around your serving time. That keeps everything hot and fresh. For an evening barbecue in Play Hatch, think about light: it is light until about 9:25pm in June but only about 7:05pm in late September. Plan lights for the serving area after that.
- Start with the date, the venue and roughly how many.
- We check the cooking spot and quote.
- We set up under cover before service.
- Our chef cooks and our staff serve.
- We tidy up and pack away.
Preparing for the day
- Collect dietary needs and allergies in advance
- Have a covered area for eating in case of rain
- Tell us roughly how many children are coming
How to get a price
Send us the date, the address or RG4 postcode and rough numbers, plus when you’d like to eat. We’ll confirm availability and send a price. Send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
A closer look at the menu
Salads, coleslaw and potatoes
Sides include salads, coleslaw, new potatoes and jacket potatoes, to suit your event.
BBQ ribs
Glazed ribs turn a barbecue into a proper spread, alongside the other meats.
Play Hatch barbecues: local tips
Play Hatch is about 1 mile east of Caversham, in Reading. Hosts in Play Hatch book us for events of all sizes. Play Hatch is one of 34 towns and villages in Reading we cover.
Summer fairs and sports days, for a school such as St Martin's Catholic Primary School, frequently want a barbecue. After a christening at a church such as St Andrew's Church, a barbecue at home or a hall nearby is an easy way to feed everyone.
Events anywhere in RG4 start with an outdoor spot for the barbecue and roughly how many guests. Whether your event is on Dene Close, Henley Road and Foxhill Lane or a nearby road, we can set up and cook there. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Dunsden Green (1 mile north), Caversham Park Village (1 mile west), Littlestead Green (1 mile north-west), Emmer Green (1 mile west) and Sonning (1 mile south-east). Larger places within reach include Norcot (4 miles west), West Reading (3 miles south-west), Tilehurst Within (5 miles west), Shinfield (5 miles south), Arborfield Garrison (7 miles south) and Horncastle (5 miles south-west).
Well-known places in the area include The Oracle (2.4 miles south-west) and Royal Berkshire Hospital (2.3 miles south-west). Within reach you’ll find Alder Moors and South Lake.
- Nearby schools include Reading Blue Coat School (1 mile south-east) and Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre (1.8 miles west)
- Pubs nearby include The Shoulder of Mutton pub (less than half a mile south-west)
Planners, venues and businesses
Planning on behalf of a committee? One clear contact makes everything easier, particularly when timings shift.
If you’re a venue or event planner, we can fit around your other suppliers.
What affects the price in Play Hatch
Each price is built from:
- Whether you want china
- The date and time of year
- Site access
- How many people are eating
Distance is part of the price: we include travel in the quote, with any London charges listed. Tell us the exact address so the quote is accurate.
Details that help
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- The venue or postcode
- Any venue rules
- Dietary requirements
- Your date and serving time
Busy weekends book up early, especially summer Saturdays and December Fridays. Tell us your date and we’ll check it: send us your details through our quote form.
Your questions about a catered barbecue in Play Hatch
What’s the nearest station to Play Hatch?
Reading station, about 2.2 miles south-west of the centre.
Do you come out to small places like Play Hatch?
No, we come to small places too. Let us know about access and the cooking spot.
Should we have every meat?
Not typically. Pick a mix of grilled and slow-cooked meats.
When should we book BBQ catering?
The earlier the better for summer weekends. Midweek dates are usually easier to get. Use our quote form.
Will guests know what’s in each dish?
Yes, ask us to label the food. Tell us about allergies in advance.
Is a barbecue good for children?
Yes, generally: simple food in a roll suits most children. Tell us how many children to expect.
Do you do barbecues out of season?
We cook under cover, so the season doesn’t stop us. In winter, plan lighting and somewhere warm for guests to eat.
Is there anything for vegans?
Halloumi and vegetable skewers (V) and a vegan burger or sausage (Ve). Let us know how many to expect.
Planning for dietary needs
Allergies and dietary needs are easy to manage if we know in advance. Some ideas:
- Check whether anyone avoids pork or beef so the menu has enough choice
- Plan separately for anyone who needs halal food
- Ask us to label vegetarian and vegan food
- Ask about allergens in glazes and sauces
Our chef cooks through the agreed service time, while our staff serve and keep things flowing.
Ask about china for a sit-down meal, at extra cost.
- Grilled at your venue, outdoors and under cover
- A full barbecue menu, not just burgers
- Vegetarian and vegan options: halloumi skewers and a vegan burger or sausage
- Served by our staff at the time you choose, then cleared away