Oxfordshire · England
Live paella catering in Fencott, Oxfordshire
Looking for paella catering in Fencott? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
Live paella catering in Fencott
How our paella catering works in Fencott
Two or three pans side by side cover every guest: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. Each is cooked separately. On the menu are mixed paella, paella Valenciana and seafood paella, and typical bookings are for weddings and evening receptions and naming days and family parties.
For a rural spot like Fencott, the countryside is part of the appeal: a paella cooking in a garden or field feels right at home. Let us know about access and ground conditions. The paella is served straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
- Location
- Fencott (OX5)
- County
- Oxfordshire
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Dietary needs and planning tips
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Let us know about other food at the event
- Plan seating for most guests: paella is easiest eaten sitting down
- Count adults and children separately
- Choose two or three paellas so every guest has a choice
A short rest after cooking helps, which is when we generally call guests over.
Crockery, cutlery and waiting staff are available if your venue doesn’t provide them.
The process
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Guests usually gather round to watch as the paella takes shape. Around midsummer it stays light in Fencott until about 9:25pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:10pm, so summer evening events are typically served in daylight. For winter events, when it’s dark by about 3:55pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- Start with the date, the place and the numbers.
- We come back with paellas to suit your guests, plus any extras.
- A week or so before, we confirm the plan.
- We set up, cook from scratch and keep an eye on your timings.
- We serve, then leave our area tidy.
Before we arrive
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
How to get a price
To get a price, use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll put together a menu and price.
Related guides
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. A caterer handles all of that.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
Live paella in Fencott: local details
Fencott is about 4 miles south of Bicester, in Oxfordshire. From the centre of Fencott to the outskirts, paella catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Fencott is one of 443 places in Oxfordshire we cover. Our nearest city page is Oxford, about 7 miles away.
Historic houses near Fencott include Boarstall Tower (3.2 miles south-east). Historic venues often limit cooking, so ask early if you’re booking one. If you are organising a summer fair for a school like Charlton-on-Otmoor Church of England Primary School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser.
Wherever your event is in OX5, we can cook for your guests. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Murcott (1 mile south-east), Charlton-on-Otmoor (1 mile west), Merton (1 mile north), Upper Arncott (2 miles east) and Wendlebury (2 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Oxford (7 miles south-west), Bicester (4 miles north), Abingdon-on-Thames (12 miles south-west), Witney (14 miles west), Thame (11 miles south-east) and Kidlington (5 miles west).
Other landmarks nearby include Bicester Avenue (3.2 miles north) and Bicester Community Hospital (3.8 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Otmoor RSPB reserve and Graven Hill.
- Pubs nearby include The Crown pub (0.9 miles west)
Dishes our guests love
Mixed paella
A mix of chicken and seafood, and a popular all-rounder.
Paella Valenciana
Paella Valenciana is the original: chicken, beans and saffron, not seafood. It is frequently the most popular pan at an event.
Common questions in Fencott
Which station should guests use for Fencott?
Islip station, about 3.2 miles west of the centre.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Murcott Mission Room?
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 generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
What space do you need to cook?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
Do you do starters?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Should we have more than one paella?
Most events have two or three: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We will suggest a split based on your guests.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and meat eaters often go back for seconds. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
What about pudding?
We do. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
Which areas do you serve?
We cater across London and the South East, Oxfordshire included. Find your area.
How we price paella catering
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- The number of people
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Parking and unloading
- The paellas you choose
Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We will send you a quote.
What we need to know
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- The venue or postcode
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The courses you’d like
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote.
Towns and villages near Fencott
More for events in Fencott
Organising for someone else?
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Events in public spaces, like parks, normally need permission. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Why choose live paella in Fencott?
A plated meal needs a kitchen, more staff and normally costs more per head. Live paella needs a level, ventilated spot and the venue’s permission to cook, and it is entertaining too. The cost per head typically falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why us?
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- A quote that spells everything out
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
Before you choose a spot
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
What we offer
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegan paella
- Seafood paella
- Paella Valenciana
- 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