Oxfordshire · England
Live paella catering in Hempton, Oxfordshire
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in Hempton. We cook from scratch on site, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Festivals, fairs and school events
Paella catering for Hempton events
Planning live paella in Hempton
Hempton is about 6 miles south of Banbury, in Oxfordshire. Wherever your event is in the OX15 area, we will come to your venue or garden. We cook in 443 places across Oxfordshire. We cook right across the region, from Hempton to Oxford (17 miles away).
For a christening or wedding at a church such as Saint John the Evangelist, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Kings Sutton station, about 4 miles north-east.
We cover events in every part of the OX15 postcode area. Whether your event is on Hempton Road, The Lane and St John's Way or anywhere nearby, we’ll bring the pans to you. If your venue is just outside Hempton, we also cover Barford St Michael (1 mile north-west), Barford St John (1 mile north-west), Deddington (1 mile east), Nether Worton (2 miles south-west) and Dane Hill (2 miles south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Banbury (6 miles north), Bicester (10 miles south-east), Witney (15 miles south-west), Kidlington (12 miles south), Bure Park (10 miles south-east) and Chipping Norton (9 miles west).
A little further out are Bloxham Village Museum (2.5 miles north) and Deddington Castle (1.6 miles east). The countryside around Hempton includes Crouch Hill.
- Pubs nearby include George Inn (0.9 miles north-west)
Paella catering in Hempton, made fresh on the day
Almost any venue with a level, ventilated spot will do: a garden, marquee, barn, courtyard or field. Whether it’s wedding breakfasts and evening food and anniversary celebrations, we’ll put together a menu of vegan paella, vegetable paella and mixed paella and more.
For a rural spot like Hempton, the countryside is part of the appeal: a giant pan in a garden or field fits perfectly. Tell us about access and the ground. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
- Location
- Hempton (OX15)
- County
- Oxfordshire
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Nearby places to Hempton
More for events in Hempton
Planners, venues and businesses
If you are planning an event on someone’s behalf, whether you are a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we’ll work directly with you and the venue. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
Perfect for your event in Hempton
Live paella is made for outdoor events: cooked outside, served hot and shared.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We regularly cater:
- Community events and fairs
- Birthday celebrations
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Summer garden parties
Nearby historic houses include Broughton Castle (4.3 miles north-west). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early.
Before booking anyone
- What happens if it rains
- How long the team stays
- Travel and parking costs
- The deadline for final numbers
Diets, allergies and planning
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Here’s how:
- Plan seating for most guests: paella is easiest eaten sitting down
- Plan a meat, a seafood and a vegetable or vegan pan
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Ask for labels on each pan
If you’ve booked staff, they’ll serve, clear and help keep things moving, so you can enjoy your guests.
Finish with churros, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago, or serve your own cake.
About the dishes
Paella Valenciana
Paella Valenciana is the original: chicken, beans and saffron, not seafood. It is a favourite with guests who do not eat fish.
Mixed paella
Chicken and seafood together, for guests who want a bit of everything.
Live paella or other catering?
Cold buffets are easy but forgettable, and food can sit out for a while. Paella is cooked in front of your guests and served hot. There’s 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 you get with us
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Fast service from the pan
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Catering across Oxfordshire, including Hempton
What affects the price in Hempton
We will give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- Your choice of paellas
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Whether you need crockery
- Distance and access to the venue
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Getting an accurate quote
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- A photo of the space, if you can
- What the venue already provides
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Questions from Hempton
Is Hempton close to London?
About 63 miles from central London.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Saint John the Evangelist?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can, if you tell us in advance. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas first, paella to follow.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and meat eaters frequently go back for seconds. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
Which paellas suit our guests?
It depends on your guests. A chicken or mixed paella is usually the most popular, with seafood and vegetable pans alongside.
When should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
How many paellas should we have?
Normally two or three, so every guest has a choice. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we’ll suggest the mix.
Planning the cooking area
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- Somewhere close to park and unload
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in Hempton
- Paella Valenciana
- Mixed paella
- Seafood paella
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
Step by step
It’s a relaxed, well-organised set-up. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up the pans and burners, and cook and serve without fuss. Evenings in Hempton stay light until about 9:30pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:10pm; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and any dietary needs.
- We put together a menu and a clear quote.
- On the day we arrive in good time, set up and start the stock.
- The paella cooks in front of your guests, with tapas first if you’ve chosen them.
- It’s served straight from the pan, and we pack down afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Let us know the timings for the day
Get a quote
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.
Related guides
- 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