Oxfordshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Grove, Oxfordshire
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Grove and nearby, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Tapas with a paella main course
Tapas catering in Grove
What happens on the day
Serving is fast: we serve straight from the pan, so even a long queue moves. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. At midsummer, it’s light in Grove until about 9:25pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
Get a quote
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
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Tapas catering for your event in Grove
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; for seated meals, table tapas. Many events have both. For receptions and drinks parties and tapas with a paella main course, we will put together a menu of padrón peppers, Serrano ham and gambas al ajillo and more.
In Grove, tapas work at home or in a local hall. We serve straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
- Where
- Grove (OX12)
- County
- Oxfordshire
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
Towns and villages near Grove
More for events in Grove
Planning the cooking area
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space before we confirm. Generally, we look for:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Space for a serving table or station
- Space on each table
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
Menu ideas
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
The menu, dish by dish
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite.
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat.
Planning for every diet
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Ensure dishes are labelled
Canapés go round with the drinks.
Bar staff and sangria.
Is live paella right for your event?
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are shared and relaxed. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
Why book with us
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Fast service from the pan
What affects the price in Grove
There’s nothing hidden: the quote reflects:
- How many staff you need
- Parking and unloading
- How long we’re needed on site
- Whether you need crockery
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
What to tell us
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- The address or venue name
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- Which courses you have in mind
To get a price, use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll put together a menu and price.
Planning a tapas spread in Grove
Grove is about 8 miles west of Didcot, in Oxfordshire. For an event in Grove, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. We cook in 443 places across Oxfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Oxford, about 13 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as St. John the Baptist, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. If you’re looking at a historic venue around Grove, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
We cover events in every part of OX12 and the streets around it. We can cater an event on streets such as Millbrook Square, Main Street and Station Road or the roads around them. We also cook at events in Denchworth (1 mile north-west), West Hanney (2 miles north), Lyford (3 miles north), Goosey (3 miles west) and Charney Bassett (3 miles north). We also cook in nearby towns such as Oxford (13 miles north-east), Didcot (8 miles east), Abingdon-on-Thames (8 miles north-east), Witney (13 miles north), Carterton (13 miles north-west) and Faringdon (8 miles north-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Williams F1 Grand Prix Collection (0.9 miles north-east). The countryside around Grove includes Chain Hill and Letcombe Valley.
- Nearby schools include King Alfred's (1.5 miles south) and St Mary's School (1.5 miles south)
- Local pubs include The Bell pub (within half a mile east)
Occasions we cook for in Grove
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Drinks reception canapés
- Birthday drinks
- Work receptions
- Evening grazing
A picnic in Betjeman Millennium Park? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering.
What your quote should include
- How each diet is kept separate
- How bad weather is handled
- A clear list of what’s included
- The deadline for final numbers
Grove questions
Could we have live paella in Betjeman Millennium Park?
Only if the landowner, usually the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St. John the Baptist?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Do you come to Grove?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, including Grove and the rest of Oxfordshire. For a quote, use our quote form.
What do you need at the venue?
Not a lot: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a picture.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
What happens if it rains?
Rain does not stop us, as long as there is a ventilated cover. We will make a plan B with you.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Many tapas are naturally vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers. We label each dish.
Who clears up?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
- 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