Oxfordshire · England
Paella Catering in Cray's Pond
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Cray's Pond. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, then served hot from the pan.
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Festivals, fairs and school events
- Christenings and family gatherings
Paella catering for Cray's Pond events
Live paella in Cray's Pond: local details
Cray's Pond is about 6 miles north-west of Caversham, in Oxfordshire. Events in Cray's Pond are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cater in 443 places across Oxfordshire. We cook right across the region, from Cray's Pond to Reading (about 7 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Goring & Streatley station, about 2.1 miles west. School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as The Oratory Preparatory School, can book us as a food stall. The North Wessex Downs National Landscape is within about 7 miles of Cray's Pond, a lovely setting for an outdoor event. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
We cater events across the RG8 postcode area. Whether your event is on Crays Pond Close, Garton End and Goring Road or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Cray's Pond is on the B4526, so it is easy for us to reach with the van and pans. For events just outside Cray's Pond, we cover Woodcote (1 mile north-east), Whitchurch Hill (1 mile south), Hook End (2 miles east), Checkendon (3 miles north-east) and Cane End (3 miles east). Larger places within reach include Didcot (9 miles north-west), Abingdon-on-Thames (14 miles north-west), Wantage (15 miles west), Henley-on-Thames (8 miles east), Benson (7 miles north) and Chinnor (14 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Battle Hospital (5.7 miles south-east). Not far away are Hartslock.
- Local schools include Woodcote Primary School (1.1 miles north-east) and Langtree School (1.1 miles north-east)
- Nearby, you will find The White Lion pub (under half a mile east)
How our paella catering works in Cray's Pond
Live paella works almost anywhere with a level, ventilated spot: a garden, marquee, barn, courtyard or field in and around Cray's Pond. For summer garden parties and wedding breakfasts and evening food, we’ll put together a menu of vegan paella, black rice and paella Valenciana and more.
For a rural spot like Cray's Pond, the countryside is part of the appeal: a huge pan in a garden or field fits perfectly. Tell us about access and the ground. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, never made in advance and reheated, and served the moment it’s ready.
- Where
- Cray's Pond (RG8)
- Area hub
- Oxfordshire
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Is live paella right for your event?
A cold buffet is simple but has no theatre, and the food sits out. Paella is cooked live and served hot. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What you get with us
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- A clear, itemised quote
- Catering across Oxfordshire, including Cray's Pond
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
Take a look at Our prices page And What paella catering costs.
What affects the price in Cray's Pond
We will give you a clear, itemised quote. What affects it most:
- How many courses
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Guest numbers
- Distance and access to the venue
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Getting an accurate quote
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- The courses you’d like
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- The date and time of the event
- Expected numbers
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
What happens on the day
A typical event goes like this: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and it is served hot from the pan at the agreed time. Around midsummer it stays light in Cray's Pond until about 9:25pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:10pm, so summer evening events are usually served in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 3:55pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- Contact us with the basics: when, where and how many.
- We come back with paellas to suit your guests, plus any extras.
- Closer to the day, we confirm timings and the cooking spot.
- We set up, cook from scratch and keep an eye on your timings.
- Guests are served from the pan, and our area is cleared afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
Get a quote
To get a price, use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Cray's Pond, and we will put together a menu and price.
Planning help
Also near Cray's Pond
More for events in Cray's Pond
What we need at the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegan paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Seafood paella
Dishes our guests love
Vegetable and vegan paella
A slow sofrito, seasonal vegetables and a good vegetable stock make a proper main dish. For vegans, the stock is plant-based.
Paella Valenciana
The original paella from Valencia is a countryside dish of chicken and vegetables, rather than seafood. It is often the most popular pan at an event.
Diets, allergies and planning
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Confirm allergies by email
- Ensure most guests can sit to eat
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Ask about diets and allergies on your invitation or RSVP
On the day, you shouldn’t have to think about the food. We arrive in good time, set up, cook and serve, and stay in touch with your venue about timings.
Bread, salad and lemon wedges make the meal go further.
Cray's Pond questions
Which station should guests use for Cray's Pond?
The closest is Goring & Streatley station, roughly 2.1 miles away.
Do you come out to small places like Cray's Pond?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
What happens if it rains?
We need a covered spot, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We will agree a wet-weather plan with you.
When should we book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so it pays to ask early.
What seafood can we have?
We’ll suggest seafood to suit your menu and budget. Premium options are available.
How much paella per person?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a little extra built in. Accurate numbers help.
How long do you need on site?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
What happens with live paella?
We bring everything needed to cook on site, cook while everyone watches, and serve at the time you want.
For planners, venues and organisers
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
- 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