Oxfordshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Chawley, Oxfordshire
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Chawley: paella cooked from scratch in huge pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Cocktail parties
- Engagement drinks
Book tapas catering in Chawley
Should I cook it myself?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
How our tapas catering works in Chawley
Receptions, parties, office events and weddings all suit tapas. We cook tortilla española, gambas al ajillo and albóndigas, and typical bookings are for tapas with a paella main course and engagement drinks.
In a rural spot like Chawley, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We serve straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and service is quick once it’s ready.
- Location
- Chawley (OX2)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
The menu, dish by dish
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette served in wedges or squares.
What we need at the venue
We’ll be honest if a space won’t work. What matters most:
- Space on each table
- Access to unload near the serving area
- A spot for our serving station
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before booking.
Menu ideas
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
Also near Chawley
Other catering in Chawley
Dietary needs and planning tips
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To make it work smoothly:
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Check diets in advance
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Book staff to carry canapés round
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
What happens on the day
Watching it cook is half the fun. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring while your guests chat. Evening receptions in Chawley stay light until about 9:00pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- We pack down when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
How to get a price
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, use our quote form.
Related guides
Live paella or other catering?
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is often good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We will send you a quote.
Why choose Love Paella in Chawley
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Fast service from the pan
Tapas for events in Chawley
Chawley is about 4 miles west of Oxford, in Oxfordshire. Events in Chawley are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cater in 443 places in Oxfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages.
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Michael. Historic houses near Chawley include Appleton Manor (2.5 miles south-west) and Holywell Manor, Oxford (3.4 miles north-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
For tapas catering in OX2, we plan around your venue and timings. Whether your event is on Cumnor Hill, Chawley Park and Chawley Lane or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. Other places close to Chawley for tapas catering include Cumnor (1 mile south-west), Dean Court (1 mile north-east), Botley (1 mile north-east), Filchampstead (1 mile north-west) and Henwood (1 mile south). Further out, we also cater in Oxford (4 miles east), Didcot (9 miles south), Bicester (13 miles north-east), Abingdon-on-Thames (4 miles south), Witney (8 miles north-west) and Carterton (12 miles west).
Well-known places in the area include Oxford Castle and earlier settlement remains (2.6 miles north-east) and Westgate Shopping Centre (2.7 miles east). Not far away are Lashford Lane Fen and Cumnor Hill.
- Nearby schools include Matthew Arnold School (0.8 miles north-east)
- Local pubs include The Vine Inn (0.5 miles west)
How we price tapas catering
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Guest numbers
- Your choice of paellas
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- How long we are needed on site
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Details that help
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but these help:
- What the venue already provides
- The date and time of the event
- The venue or postcode
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We will come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Your questions about tapas catering in Chawley
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Michael?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is normally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Do you come out to small places like Chawley?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
How do you work out quantities?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Accurate numbers help.
Can we add drinks?
Sangria, yes, plus bar staff for your own drinks.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes. Children frequently love a simple chicken paella. Include children in your numbers.
Do you cover Chawley?
We do. Chawley is one of the places we cover. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
What about pudding?
We can add a dessert. Tell us what you have in mind when you ask for a quote.
How many tapas per person?
We plan quantities around your timings and courses. Give us the details for a suggestion.
For event organisers in Chawley
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll talk you through the process. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
- 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