Oxfordshire · England
Paella party catering in Shirburn, Oxfordshire
Something for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events for events in Shirburn.
- Family get-togethers
- Milestone birthdays
- Retirement celebrations
Live paella party catering in Shirburn
Working with your venue
Hosting a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Paella party catering in Shirburn, made fresh on the day
Paella is made for relaxed parties: it is served from the pan and shared, so nobody needs a formal seating plan. Whether it is family get-togethers and wakes and celebrations of life, we’ll put together a menu of vegetable paella, mixed paella and seafood paella.
Country parties near Shirburn suit live paella: cooked in the open and served hot. Have a gazebo ready in case of rain. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
- Area
- Shirburn (OX49)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Should I cook it myself?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
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 enjoy the party, let us cook.
Events we cater in Shirburn
It works whatever the occasion, from christenings to retirements.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in Shirburn and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Big family gatherings
- Summer garden parties
- Wakes and memorial gatherings
- Birthday parties
Christenings and naming days frequently start at a local church such as All Saints Church, with a paella lunch at home or in a hall afterwards.
Before you book anyone
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- A clear list of what’s included
- The deadline for final numbers
- What happens if it rains
How the day works
Serving is fast: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so large groups are fed quickly. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. At midsummer, it is light in Shirburn until about 9:25pm, which gives a garden party a long evening. By late September sunset is around 7:10pm, so plan festoon lights for later parties.
- First, we check the date and the space.
- You choose your paellas and any extras.
- The burners go on and the sofrito starts.
- The rice goes in and your guests gather round.
- It’s served hot, and we clear away afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Tell us where to park and unload
Get a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can fill in our quote form.
Planning help
A closer look at the menu
Tapas
Patatas bravas, tortilla, croquetas and olives to start.
Churros
Churros are a treat for all ages.
Planning the cooking area
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but a few things matter:
- Send a picture of the garden so we can check
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
What we offer
- Tapas
- Seafood paella
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Churros
- Paella Valenciana
FAQs for Shirburn
Is Shirburn close to London?
Roughly 40 miles from the centre of London.
Can you cook at venues in the Chilterns National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Can you supply plates?
We can. Tell us what you need and we’ll include it in the quote.
What areas do you cover?
We cover London and the South East, including Oxfordshire. Find your area.
Is paella OK for kids?
Paella is popular with children, particularly a simple chicken pan. Tell us how many and their ages.
How far ahead should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Popular dates book up first, so it pays to ask early.
Can you set up in a small garden?
Many gardens work. We need a level spot, clearance from anything flammable and reasonable access. Send us a picture.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Generally we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we’ll check with you and the venue.
Towns and villages near Shirburn
More for events in Shirburn
Live paella or other catering?
Cooking yourself saves money but costs you the party. With live paella, you’re a guest too. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Why choose Love Paella in Shirburn
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Drinks service on request
Take a look at Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
Hosting a paella party in Shirburn
Shirburn is about 6 miles south of Thame, in Oxfordshire. Give us the address of your party in Shirburn, and we will plan the journey and set-up. We cook in 443 places in Oxfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Oxford, about 12 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Adwell House (2.4 miles north) and Stonor Park (4.9 miles south-east). If you are hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on outside caterers first. The Chilterns National Landscape is within about 2 miles of Shirburn, so many gardens around here have a great outlook.
We cook at parties all over the OX49 postcode area. That could mean a party in a garden on Watlington Road, Castle Road and Blenheim Road or the roads around them. Other places close to Shirburn for paella party catering include Lewknor (1 mile north-east), South Weston (2 miles north), Christmas Common (2 miles south-east), Postcombe (2 miles north) and Howe Hill (3 miles south). Larger places within reach include Oxford (12 miles north-west), Didcot (11 miles west), Abingdon-on-Thames (13 miles west), Thame (6 miles north), Henley-on-Thames (9 miles south-east) and Benson (5 miles south-west).
Green spaces nearby include Aston Rowant NNR and Bald Hill.
- Local schools include Watlington Primary School (1 mile south-west)
- Pubs nearby include The Chequers pub (0.9 miles south-west)
How we price paella party catering
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Your choice of paellas
- The number of people
- Distance and access to the venue
Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Details that help
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but these help:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The date and time of the event
- A picture of where we’d cook
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: give us the basics about your party, and we’ll suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: fill in our quote form.
- 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