Oxfordshire · England
Live paella catering in Appleton, Oxfordshire
Planning paella catering in Appleton? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Big birthdays
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Engagement and anniversary parties
Paella catering for Appleton events
FAQs for Appleton
Which station should guests use for Appleton?
The closest is Oxford station, roughly 5 miles away.
Is Appleton too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
How much space do you need?
Less than you might think: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. Send us a picture if you’re not sure.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain doesn’t stop us, as long as there’s a ventilated cover. We will make a plan B with you.
What seafood can we have?
We will talk through seafood options when we plan your menu.
Is paella a full meal?
Yes. Paella with bread and salad makes a full main course, and tapas or dessert can be added.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
How many paellas should we have?
Most events have two or three: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We will help you decide the split.
How our paella catering works in Appleton
Almost any venue with a level, ventilated spot will do: gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and festival fields in and around Appleton. Popular choices include vegan paella, seafood paella and black rice, and we’re regularly asked to cater staff parties and work lunches and birthday celebrations.
Somewhere like Appleton, a field or garden is often the perfect setting. Mention gates and soft ground when you contact us. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
- Area
- Appleton (OX13)
- Area hub
- Oxfordshire
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
How we price paella catering
Your quote will be clear and itemised. What affects it most:
- Parking and unloading
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Your choice of paellas
- The number of people
There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
What to tell us
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Your date and when you want to eat
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
The process
It is a relaxed, well-organised set-up. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up our cooking area, and get on with cooking and serving. Planning an evening event in Appleton? Sunset is around 9:00pm in late May, 9:25pm at midsummer and 7:10pm in late September; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- You share your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan the menu with you, including every diet.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- The paella cooks as guests gather round.
- We serve hot from the pan and clear our cooking area.
Before we arrive
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Getting a price
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we’re available that day.
Planning help
Live paella or other catering?
Plated meals need a kitchen and a bigger team. Live paella needs only a level, ventilated spot and permission to cook, and it’s entertaining too. Got a budget? Let us know, and we will suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why Appleton hosts choose us
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Events in Appleton and across Oxfordshire
Diets, allergies and planning
Most events have a mix of diets. To cater well for them:
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Ask about diets and allergies on your invitation or RSVP
- Let us know about other food at the event
- Have seats for most of your guests
A short rest after cooking helps, which is when we generally call guests over.
Crockery, cutlery and waiting staff are available if your venue does not provide them.
Occasions we cook for in Appleton
It suits relaxed, sociable events, with guests mingling as it cooks before sitting down to eat.
Whatever you’re celebrating in Appleton, paella can be the star of the food. We often cook for:
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
- Community events and fairs
- Retirement celebrations
- Summer garden parties
Historic houses near Appleton include Appleton Manor (under half a mile east) and Longworth House (3.8 miles west). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early.
What to look for in a quote
- Whether travel is included
- What the price includes, item by item
- The deposit and payment dates
- Who provides the crockery
Towns and villages near Appleton
Also in Appleton
Live paella in Appleton: local details
Appleton is about 4 miles north-west of Abingdon-on-Thames, in Oxfordshire. Across the OX13 area, we can cook for your guests. Appleton is one of 443 towns and villages in Oxfordshire we cover. Our events stretch from Appleton to Oxford (6 miles away).
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Appleton Church of England (A) Primary School, can book us as a food stall. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Oxford station, about 5 miles north-east.
We cover events in every part of OX13. Whether your event is on Whites Forge, Town Furlong and Badswell Lane or a nearby road, we will bring the pans to you. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Northmoor (2 miles north-west), Henwood (2 miles east), Cumnor (2 miles north-east), Wootton (2 miles east) and Chawley (3 miles north-east). Further out, we also cater in Oxford (6 miles north-east), Didcot (9 miles south-east), Abingdon-on-Thames (4 miles south-east), Witney (8 miles north-west), Carterton (11 miles west) and Wantage (9 miles south).
Other landmarks nearby include FitzHarris Castle (4.2 miles south-east) and Abingdon Community Hospital (3.8 miles south-east). Open spaces near Appleton include Hitchcopse Pit and Cumnor Hill.
- Local pubs include The Plough Inn (within half a mile east)
Dishes our guests love
Vegetable and vegan paella
The vegetable pan is a dish in its own right: peppers, artichokes and beans with saffron.
Seafood paella
The secret is a well-made seafood stock. Shellfish goes in towards the end so it stays tender.
Organising for someone else?
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
Hosting a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
- 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