Oxfordshire · England
Paella party catering in Merton, Oxfordshire
Paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events in Merton: paella cooked from scratch in huge pans, right in front of your guests.
- Street parties and neighbourhood get-togethers
- Family reunions
- Birthday parties
Book paella party catering in Merton
How the day works
Your timings come first. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we adjust the cooking so it’s still served fresh. A summer party in Merton stays light until about 9:25pm at midsummer, so a garden party can run well into the evening. By late September sunset is around 7:10pm, so plan festoon lights for later parties.
- You tell us the date, address, guest numbers and any dietary needs.
- We suggest a menu and confirm a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up our cooking area and start cooking.
- The paella cooks while your guests chat, with any tapas served first.
- We serve from the pan and clear our cooking area away when we’re done.
How to prepare
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
How to get a price
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, use our quote form.
Read more
Paella party catering for your party in Merton
A paella party takes the cooking off your hands without turning the day into a formal dinner. We set up in the garden or venue and cook as your guests chat. We’re often asked to cater garden get-togethers and leaving dos and retirements, with chicken and chorizo paella, churros and mixed paella.
Near Merton, parties are often in gardens or fields. Let us know about access, and we’ll plan the set-up. Everything is cooked from scratch at your party, never made in advance and reheated.
- Location
- Merton (OX25)
- County
- Oxfordshire
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Live paella or other catering?
Unlike a barbecue, paella is ready at once, so everyone eats together. And there’s no host stuck at the grill. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What you get with us
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- No hidden extras in your quote
Read How we price Or The cost guide.
The menu, dish by dish
Seafood paella
Seafood paella generally gets the photos, and is best served with lemon.
Tapas
Bravas, tortilla, croquetas and more to start.
Merton questions
How far is Merton from London?
Roughly 52 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Which station should guests use for Merton?
Bicester Village station, about 2.7 miles north of the centre.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, in front of your guests.
Will the neighbours notice?
Gas cooking means steam and a good smell, not much smoke. Neighbours may well want an invitation.
How much is live paella catering?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers and we will reply with a price.
What happens if it rains?
Rain doesn’t stop us, as long as there is a ventilated cover. We will make a plan B with you.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, on request. Proper crockery or quality disposables can be added to your booking.
Is paella OK for kids?
Yes. Children usually love a plain chicken paella. Tell us how many children are coming.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. 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 enjoy the party, let us cook.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and do not stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
What else we do in Merton
Merton parties: what to know
Merton is about 3 miles south of Bicester, in Oxfordshire. Parties in Merton are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. We cook in all 443 towns and villages across Oxfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Merton to Oxford (about 8 miles away).
If guests are coming by rail, the nearest station is Bicester Village station, about 2.7 miles north. Christenings and naming days often start at a local church such as Church of St Swithin, with a paella lunch at home or in a hall afterwards.
Anywhere in OX25, we can bring paella party catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. If your venue is just outside Merton, we also cover Fencott (1 mile south), Murcott (1 mile south-east), Charlton-on-Otmoor (1 mile south-west), Wendlebury (2 miles north-west) and Lower Arncott (2 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Oxford (8 miles south), Bicester (3 miles north), Abingdon-on-Thames (13 miles south), Witney (15 miles west), Thame (11 miles south-east) and Kidlington (6 miles south-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Bicester Community Hospital (2.9 miles north) and Bicester Avenue (2.3 miles north). Open spaces near Merton include Graven Hill and Woodsides Meadow.
- Pubs nearby include The Old Plough pub (under half a mile south)
What paella party catering costs
These are the factors that matter most:
- Timings and hours
- Parking and unloading
- Your choice of paellas
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Details that help
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but these help:
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Expected numbers
- Where the event is
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
It is easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Catering for every guest
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:
- Give separate numbers for children
- Arrange a gazebo in case of rain
- Put out bins for general waste and recycling
- Collect dietary needs with your invites
Booked staff help serve and clear.
A jug of sangria sets the tone, with an alcohol-free version for drivers and children.
Perfect for your party in Merton
It’s the easiest way to feed a party without being stuck in the kitchen, and guests love it.
In Merton and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Popular bookings include:
- Family get-togethers
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Anniversary celebrations
- Wakes and celebrations of life
Nearby historic houses include Boarstall Tower (3.7 miles south-east). If you are hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on outside caterers first.
Questions to ask before booking
- If the price includes VAT
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- The deadline for final numbers
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
For planners, venues and organisers
If you are planning an event on someone’s behalf, whether you’re 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.
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
- 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