Wokingham · England
Hog Roast for a Wake in California, Wokingham
Funeral wake catering in California: a whole hog slow-roasted on site, carved to order and served in soft rolls with crackling.
- Remembrance gatherings
- Hall gatherings after a service
- Ashes ceremonies
A hog roast near California
Events we cater in California
If the service runs late, the food waits.
We are regularly asked to cater all sorts of events around California, including:
- Life celebrations
- Remembrance gatherings
- Remembrance days
- Family get-togethers after a service
For family travelling by train, Crowthorne station is about 2.4 miles away.
Before you book anyone
- How long the roast takes and when they’ll arrive
- Who carves and who serves
- The deposit, balance and cancellation terms
- Which meats, sides and extras are included
Funeral wake catering in California, carved to order
We keep things simple for families: one call, one quote and quiet, reliable service. We serve apple sauce, salads and halloumi skewers, and we are frequently booked for family get-togethers after a service and wakes at a local club.
In rural California, home or the hall is usual, with the roaster in the yard or garden. The carving happens right in front of your guests, so every roll gets hot pork and a piece of crackling, and nothing sits in a hot cabinet.
Planning for dietary needs
Rolls and stuffing normally contain gluten, and gluten-free rolls are available on request. A few more tips:
- Plan separately if anyone needs halal food
- Stuffing typically contains gluten
- Find out who would prefer chicken or a vegetarian option
- Keep the alternatives labelled
Afterwards we pack up quietly.
Let us know if there’s something the person especially liked.
Before you choose a spot
We need room to cook safely and under cover. Things to check:
- Somewhere indoors for people to eat
- Parking close by for our vehicle
- One contact on the day
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
On the menu in California
- Coleslaw
- New potatoes
- Salads
- Rotisserie chicken
- Stuffing and apple sauce
- Vegan option (Ve)
- Hog roast rolls
- Halloumi skewers (V)
Working with your venue
For events on land you don’t own, such as a park or field, you’ll need the landowner’s permission for cooking and vehicles. Sort that first.
Some venues charge a fee if you bring in your own caterer, so it’s worth asking first. We’ll liaise with them on access and set-up.
What affects the price in California
The biggest factors are:
- The serving time and how long we’re on site
- Plates or china
- Which meats and sides you choose
- Access to the cooking area
Distance is part of the price: we include travel in the quote. Give us the address for an accurate figure.
Details that help
To check availability and the cooking area, tell us:
- The date and when you’d like to eat
- A picture of the cooking area
- Where the event is
- An estimate of numbers
The quickest way to get a price is to send us your date, venue and numbers. A photo of the cooking area helps. Fill in our quote form.
Towns and villages near California
More for events in California
Why a carved hog roast beats a buffet
Compared with family members cooking, a catered hog roast lets everyone be together. Compare like for like: menu, sides, serving time, staff, plates and travel. The cheapest quote isn’t always the best value.
Why California hosts choose us
- Our staff serve and clear
- Crackling for everyone who wants it
- Salads, potatoes and coleslaw to go with it
- All the equipment comes with us
See our pricing and our hog roast cost guide.
FAQs for California
Can you do a hog roast in Shepperlands Farm Nature Reserve?
Only if the landowner, typically the council, allows it. Check with them first, and tell us what they say.
Can you cater after a service at Church of St James?
Yes, at a home, hall or venue nearby with an outdoor spot for the roaster. Churches rarely have space for a hog roast, so the food is usually elsewhere. Send us the address.
Who serves?
Our chef carves and our staff serve, then clear the serving area afterwards.
What space does the roaster need?
A level, open area outdoors with room for the roaster, a gazebo and a carving table, away from buildings, marquee walls and overhanging trees. We’ll check it with you before booking.
What if it rains?
The roaster is under cover, so a shower doesn’t stop us. Plan somewhere sheltered for eating.
Can we just hire the roaster?
We do, if you’re happy to roast and carve yourself. We will explain the details with your quote.
What about coeliacs?
Ask for gluten-free rolls and we’ll bring them. We will give you full allergen information for every dish.
How much does a hog roast cost?
Each event is priced on its own, depending on numbers, menu, timings and travel. Ask us for a quote.
What comes off the roaster
Salads, potatoes and coleslaw
Crunchy coleslaw suits roast pork, and salads and new potatoes work well on a plate.
Stuffing and apple sauce
Stuffing and a dollop of apple sauce make the roll, just as they should.
How it works
Carving is part of the show: the hog is carved in front of your guests, with crackling for everyone who wants it. In late September, sunset in California is about 7:05pm; in December, about 3:55pm, so a later wake may need lighting outside.
- Share the date, place and numbers.
- We reply quickly with a price.
- We roast quietly during the service.
- We serve calmly as people arrive.
- We pack up quietly.
How to prepare
- Collect dietary needs and allergies in advance
- Tell us about narrow gates or side passages
- Plan somewhere sheltered for people to eat if it rains
Get a quote
Every wake is quoted on its own, based on numbers, menu, timings and distance. Ask us for a quote for your wake: use our quote form.
Related guides
California: halls, homes and travel
California is about 3 miles south-west of Wokingham, in Wokingham. We set up the roaster at homes, halls, workplaces and venues in California. We cater 35 places in Wokingham. You can also see our page for Reading, about 7 miles away.
For a service at a church like Church of St James, choosing a wake venue nearby helps older guests.
We cover wakes in every part of the RG40 postcode area and the streets around it. Whether your wake is on Warren Lane, White Horse Lane and Fernbank or anywhere nearby, we will bring the roaster to you. For wakes just outside California, we cover Arborfield Garrison (1 mile west), Finchampstead (1 mile south-east), Barkham (1 mile north), Langley Common (1 mile north-west) and Eversley (1 mile south-west). We also serve nearby towns such as Reading (7 miles north-west), Wokingham (3 miles north-east), Woodley (5 miles north), Earley (5 miles north-west), Crowthorne (3 miles east) and Lower Earley (4 miles north-west).
A little further out are Beaumys Castle (4.7 miles west) and Wokingham Hospital (2.6 miles north-east). Open spaces near California include Horseshoe Lake and Holt Copse & Joel Park.
- Schools near California include Bohunt School Wokingham (1 mile west)
- Pubs nearby include The Queen's Oak pub (0.7 miles south-east)
- Slow-roasted on site for hours, outdoors at your event
- Our chef carves the pork, with stuffing, apple sauce and crackling on the side
- Lamb, chicken and vegetarian options alongside the pork
- Our team serves at your chosen time and clears up afterwards