Oxfordshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Balscote, Oxfordshire
Something for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Balscote.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Work receptions
- Cocktail parties
Book tapas catering in Balscote
Tapas catering in Balscote, cooked live
We will suggest a selection to suit your timings and guests, starter or main event. Popular choices include Manchego with membrillo, albóndigas and croquetas, and we’re regularly asked to cater office parties and launches and table tapas as a starter.
Near Balscote, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Timings are planned around your event, so the paella is ready when you want to eat.
- Location
- Balscote (OX15)
- Area hub
- Oxfordshire
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Is live paella right for your event?
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
Why book with us
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
Read Our pricing Or The cost guide.
Places near Balscote
Other catering in Balscote
What affects the price in Balscote
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Distance and access to the venue
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- The number of people
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Details that help
To check availability and price, we need:
- What the venue already provides
- The date and rough timings
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: send us your details through our quote form.
The process
Service is quick: we serve straight from the pan, so even a long queue moves. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. Sunset in Balscote is around 9:30pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
How to prepare
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Give us a contact for the day
Get a quote
The quickest way to a quote is to fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will put together a menu and price.
Related guides
Space, weather and the venue
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We need:
- Room for a tapas table
- Permission from the venue
- Space on each table
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
Dishes our guests love
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette served in wedges or squares.
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Planning for every diet
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Check diets in advance
- Ask for labels on each dish
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Staff to serve canapés.
Common questions in Balscote
Which station should guests use for Balscote?
The closest is Banbury station, roughly 4.5 miles away.
Is Balscote too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Can you do sangria?
Yes, sangria. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.
What areas do you cover?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
How soon do we need to book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it is short notice, it’s worth asking.
How much paella per person?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Do you provide serving staff?
Yes, if you want them. Canapés need staff to serve.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you’re providing the drinks.
Perfect for your event in Balscote
Big or small, tapas work.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Typical bookings include:
- Engagement drinks
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Tapas and paella menus
- Tapas starters
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Banbury station, about 4.5 miles east.
What to look for in a quote
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Payment terms and deposit
- How each diet is kept separate
Drinks receptions around Balscote
Balscote is about 4 miles west of Banbury, in Oxfordshire. Across the OX15 area, we can cook for your guests. We cover all 443 towns and villages in Oxfordshire. Our nearest city page is Oxford, about 24 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Mary Magdalene, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Historic houses near Balscote include Upton House (2.8 miles north-west) and Broughton Castle (2.8 miles south-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
This part of Oxfordshire takes in OX15, so your event can be anywhere in it. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Shutford (1 mile south), Alkerton (1 mile north-west), Shenington (1 mile north-west), Epwell (2 miles west) and Tadmarton (2 miles south). Further out, we also cater in Banbury (4 miles east), Chipping Norton (10 miles south-west), Neithrop (3 miles east), Grimsbury (5 miles east), Ruscote (3 miles east) and Bloxham (4 miles south-east).
A little further out are Horton General Hospital (4.2 miles east) and W. O. Bentley Memorial Foundation (1.1 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Woodford Bottom and Lamb's Pool and Edge Hill.
- Local pubs include The Butchers Arms Public House (within half a mile west)
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
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 be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
- 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