Oxfordshire · England
Tapas Catering for Appleford-on-Thames events
Planning tapas catering in Appleford-on-Thames? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Table tapas as a starter
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Birthday drinks
Book tapas catering in Appleford-on-Thames
Receptions and parties in Appleford-on-Thames
Appleford-on-Thames is about 2 miles north of Didcot, in Oxfordshire. We bring tapas catering to homes, gardens and venues in Appleford-on-Thames and nearby villages. We cover all 443 towns and villages in Oxfordshire. You can also see our page for Oxford, about 8 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Peter and St Paul, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Guests travelling by rail: Appleford station is in Appleford-on-Thames itself.
Tapas catering in OX14 is planned around your venue and your guests. Your event could be at a home on Chambrai Close, Church Street and Main Road or the roads around them. If your venue is just outside Appleford-on-Thames, we also cover Long Wittenham (1 mile east), Culham (1 mile north-west), Sutton Courtenay (2 miles west), Clifton Hampden (2 miles north-east) and Didcot (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Oxford (8 miles north), Abingdon-on-Thames (3 miles north-west), Witney (15 miles north-west), Thame (14 miles north-east), Wantage (8 miles south-west) and Grove (8 miles west).
A little further out are Pendon Museum (1 mile east) and FitzHarris Castle (3.1 miles north-west). The countryside around Appleford-on-Thames includes Mowbray Fields and Wittenham Clumps.
- Nearby, you’ll find Carpenters Arms (under half a mile south-east)
Tapas catering in Appleford-on-Thames, cooked live
Tapas are sharing food, made for conversation. Canapés go round while guests mingle, or table tapas go out to share. Whether it’s tapas before paella and drinks parties and receptions, we’ll put together a menu of Serrano ham, tortilla española and croquetas.
In a rural spot like Appleford-on-Thames, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. You will know exactly what’s included before you book: the menu, the staff and any extras, with no surprises on the day.
- Location
- Appleford-on-Thames (OX14)
- County
- Oxfordshire
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Your questions about tapas catering in Appleford-on-Thames
Which station should guests use for Appleford-on-Thames?
Appleford-on-Thames has its own station: Appleford station.
How far is Appleford-on-Thames from London?
About 50 miles from central London.
How long does the paella take?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
Can you cater for children?
Yes. Children often love a simple chicken paella. Include children in your numbers.
Do you do starters?
Of course. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, served while the paella cooks.
Do you come to Appleford-on-Thames?
We do. We cook at events in Appleford-on-Thames and across Oxfordshire. Send us your date to check availability.
Can you cook indoors?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, because we use gas burners. We will check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Can you supply plates?
We can. Tell us what your venue provides and we will include the rest in the quote.
Also near Appleford-on-Thames
What else we do in Appleford-on-Thames
Catering for every guest
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To get it right:
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Tell us what role tapas play
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Crockery and serving dishes.
Why choose live paella in Appleford-on-Thames?
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, which makes them easy to plan around. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
What you get with us
- Fast service from the pan
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- We cover Appleford-on-Thames and the whole of Oxfordshire
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
Take a look at How we price And The cost guide.
Who books tapas catering in Appleford-on-Thames?
They make a perfect starter before paella.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Anniversary parties
- Sharing tapas starters
- Engagement celebrations
- Evening sharing boards
Nearby historic houses include Clifton Hampden Manor (1.9 miles north-east) and Brightwell Manor (3.7 miles south-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
What your quote should include
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- Whether VAT is included
- Whether travel is included
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
Dishes our guests love
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite.
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Planners, venues and businesses
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll explain how it works. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
What we need at the venue
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Room for a tapas table
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly.
On the menu in Appleford-on-Thames
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
How it works
Once the rice is in, we do not stir it. That’s what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. Your guests will smell it before they see it. Evening receptions in Appleford-on-Thames stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
Before we arrive
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
How to get a price
To get a price, use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Appleford-on-Thames, and we will put together a menu and price.
Planning help
Prices and what affects them
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Distance and access to the venue
- Whether you need crockery
- How many staff you need
- The paellas you choose
Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. The full price is confirmed before you book.
What we need to know
When you contact us, it helps to tell us:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Expected numbers
- The date and time of the event
- The venue or postcode
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
- 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