Oxfordshire · England
Paella party catering in Donnington, Oxfordshire
We cook paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events in Donnington and nearby, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Baby celebrations
- Neighbourhood celebrations
- Wakes and memorial gatherings
Paella party catering near Donnington
What’s in the pans
Tapas
Tapas keep guests going while they watch the pans.
Seafood paella
Seafood paella usually gets the photos, and is best served with lemon.
How our paella party catering works in Donnington
A paella party takes the cooking off your hands without turning the day into a formal dinner. We set up in a corner of the garden or venue and cook while your guests chat. On the menu are seafood paella, tapas and mixed paella, and we are frequently booked for anniversaries and engagement parties and baby celebrations.
Around Donnington, a garden and a gazebo is all you need. Live paella fits right in. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
- Area
- Donnington (OX4, OX1)
- Area hub
- Oxfordshire
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Also near Donnington
What else we do in Donnington
Where we can cook in Donnington
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
- Send a picture of the garden so we can check
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Menu ideas
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Churros
- Seafood paella
- Mixed paella
- Tapas
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
Parties in Donnington: gardens, venues and local tips
Donnington is about 1 mile south of Oxford, in Oxfordshire. For paella party catering in Donnington, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices. Donnington is one of 443 towns and villages in Oxfordshire we cover.
Historic houses near Donnington include Holywell Manor, Oxford (1.4 miles north-west) and Garsington Manor (3.6 miles south-east). If you’re hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on outside caterers first. If guests are coming by rail, the nearest station is Oxford station, about 1.9 miles north-west.
We cater parties across the OX4 and OX1 postcode area. That could mean a party in a garden on Meadow Lane, Arnold Road and Iffley Road. Donnington is on the A4158, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. If your venue is just outside Donnington, we also cover Iffley (1 mile south-east), New Hinksey (1 mile west), Cowley (1 mile south-east), Oxford (1 mile north) and Redbridge (1 mile south-west). Further out, we also cater in Didcot (9 miles south), Bicester (12 miles north), Abingdon-on-Thames (5 miles south-west), Witney (12 miles west), Thame (11 miles east) and Wantage (13 miles south-west).
Nearby you’ll also find Warneford Hospital (1 mile north-east) and British Tattoo History Museum (0.5 miles north-east). Not far away are CS Lewis Nature Reserve and Headington Hill.
- Local schools include Greyfriars Catholic School (under half a mile east) and Emmanuel Christian School (1.3 miles south)
- Local pubs include Magdalen Arms (under half a mile north-west)
- Local facilities include Alexander Library of Ornithology (1.1 miles north-west)
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Why choose paella party catering in Donnington?
One big dish is simpler than lots of small ones.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in Donnington and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Birthday parties
- Street and neighbourhood parties
- Christenings and naming days
Christenings and naming days frequently start at a local church such as St Alban the Martyr, with a paella lunch at home or in a hall afterwards.
Before booking anyone
- The venue requirements
- A clear list of what’s included
- Whether travel is included
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
Diets, allergies and planning
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Give the neighbours a heads-up
- Make sure most people can sit to eat
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Ensure children stay back from the pans
The cooking area stays tidy and safe, with a clear space around the burners.
Churros and chocolate go down well with all ages.
What paella party catering costs
We’ll give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Waiting and bar staff
- How many guests are eating
- Whether you need crockery
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What we need to know
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but these help:
- The date and rough timings
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- Expected numbers
- Diets and allergies you know about
It’s easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll come back with a clear quote.
The process
Once the rice is in, we do not stir it. That’s how the grains cook evenly and the toasted base, the socarrat, forms. The smell normally draws people over. Sunset in Donnington is about 9:00pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June. If the party runs past dark, we’ll need light where we cook and serve.
- We check your date and the space.
- You pick paellas, tapas and desserts.
- The burners go on and the sofrito starts.
- In goes the rice, and guests gather.
- We serve hot and tidy our area afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
Get a quote
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, plus any dietary needs, and we’ll reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. To get started, use our quote form.
Related guides
Questions from Donnington
Which station should guests use for Donnington?
Oxford station, about 1.9 miles north-west of the centre.
We are having a ceremony at St Alban the Martyr: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is usually elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
How much is live paella catering?
We quote for each event, so you only pay for what you need. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas for a clear quote.
Can you serve drinks?
Sangria, yes. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.
How do you work out quantities?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Tell us what else is being served. See how much paella per person.
Is the paella gluten-free?
Yes, on request. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Do you do desserts?
Yes. Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana, or you can serve your own cake.
Who clears up?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
Is live paella right for your party?
Hog roasts don’t suit vegetarians and vegans. Separate paella pans cover everyone. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Why choose Love Paella in Donnington
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- We cover Donnington and the whole of Oxfordshire
Take a look at Our prices page Or What paella catering costs.
- 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