Oxfordshire · England
Paella catering in OX1
Planning an event in OX1? We cover St John Street area, St. Ebbes and Jericho and every street in between, with paella cooked from scratch.
Live paella across OX1
Places in OX1
- St John Street area
- St. Ebbes
- Jericho
- Grandpont
- Osney
- Kennington
- New Hinksey
- Redbridge
- Boars Hill
- South Hinksey
- Henwood
- Hinksey Hill
- Chilswell
- Oxford
- Walton Manor
- Park Town
- New Marston
- Norham Manor
- Donnington
- St Clement's
- Wootton
- Harcourt Hill
Our catering across OX1
- Paella party catering
- Corporate paella catering
- Wedding paella catering
- Live paella catering
- Festival & event paella
- Tapas & canapé catering
- All catering
Send us your event details and postcode and we’ll reply with a menu and a price: send us your details through our quote form.
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Areas we cover
How paella catering works in OX1
Paella was made for feeding a crowd: cooked outdoors in a wide, shallow pan and shared. That is what we bring to events in OX1. Typical bookings include company summer parties and anniversaries and engagement parties, serving black rice, chicken and chorizo paella and mixed paella.
Watching it cook is half the fun. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook while your guests chat.
- 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.
Pricing in OX1
Larger events typically cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why hosts in OX1 choose us
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
How to get a price
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will send a clear, itemised quote.
Around St John Street area
You will find us cooking near Angus Library and Archive, St Barnabas' Church of England Aided Primary School and Oxford University Parks, among other places. Nearby too are The Eckersley School of English (less than half a mile south-east), Pusey House Chapel (within half a mile north-east), Oxford Academy (1.3 miles north) and The Eagle and Child pub (less than half a mile north-east). St John Street area has its own railway station: Oxford station, handy for guests travelling by train. Nearby you will also find Oxford University Press Museum (under half a mile north-west) and Oxford Castle (less than half a mile south). The countryside around St John Street area includes Hook Meadow and The Trap Grounds and Headington Hill.
Planning live paella in OX1
There are 3 towns and 8 villages and hamlets in OX1, so whether your event is in Oxford, St John Street area and St. Ebbes or a quiet village, the approach is the same: level ground, ventilation and agreed timings.
St John Street area: Historic houses near St John Street area include Holywell Manor, Oxford (0.6 miles east). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early. If you are celebrating after a service at a church like Pusey House Chapel, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. Around midsummer it stays light in St John Street area until about 9:25pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:10pm, so summer evening events are normally served in daylight. For winter events, when it’s dark by about 3:55pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
Live paella or other catering?
Vans serve one order at a time. A paella pan serves many portions quickly, which suits weddings and parties where everyone eats together.
What your quote should include
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- What happens if it rains
- Travel and parking costs
- Whether VAT is included
What’s in the pans
Seafood paella
Prawns, mussels and squid in a rich fish stock, finished with lemon wedges. It is normally the most photographed pan.
Paella Valenciana
Valencians take their paella seriously. The traditional pan has chicken, flat green beans and butter beans.
For event organisers in OX1
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in OX1? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
Events in public spaces, like parks, typically need permission. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Events we cater in OX1
Live paella is made for outdoor events: it’s cooked in the open, served hot and eaten together.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We often cook for:
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Festivals, fairs and school events
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
DIY paella versus live catering
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
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.
Common questions in OX1
Should we have more than one paella?
Most events have two or three: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We’ll help you decide the split.
How much space do you need?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
Will there be enough food?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Do you provide drinks?
Sangria can be added, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
When do you arrive?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
What happens if it rains?
We cook under cover, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices, or you can serve your own cake.
- 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