Oxfordshire · England
Tapas Catering for Kidlington events
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Kidlington and Oxfordshire, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Anniversary parties
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Welcome-drink canapés
Live tapas catering in Kidlington
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Tapas catering in Kidlington, cooked live
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; for seated meals, table tapas. Lots of events do both. Popular choices include Serrano ham, Manchego with membrillo and croquetas, and typical bookings are for evening grazing and engagement drinks.
In Kidlington, tapas work at home or in a local hall. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated, and served as soon as it’s ready.
- Where
- Kidlington (OX5)
- County
- Oxfordshire
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
The process
The paella is cooked in giant, shallow pans over gas burners. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, which we agree with you beforehand. At midsummer, it is light in Kidlington until about 9:30pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Preparing for the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
How to get a price
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will come back with a clear quote.
Planning help
Nearby places to Kidlington
What else we do in Kidlington
Planners, venues and businesses
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Prices and what affects them
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- The length of service
- Parking and unloading
- Guest numbers
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Getting an accurate quote
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- What the venue already provides
- Which courses you have in mind
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Kidlington? Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back with ideas and a quote. To get in touch, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning the cooking area
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Unloading access
- Space for a serving table or station
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before booking.
Popular choices
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Tapas are flexible, which makes them easy to plan around. Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
Why Kidlington hosts choose us
- Fast service from the pan
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
Read Our prices page And Our guide to catering costs.
Events we cater in Kidlington
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
Whatever the occasion, live paella can be the centrepiece. We often cook for:
- Anniversary parties
- Tapas before paella
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Canapés with welcome drinks
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Mary, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Before booking anyone
- The wet-weather plan
- What the price includes, item by item
- How each diet is kept separate
- Space, access and power needs
Catering for every guest
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Label seafood clearly
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Check diets in advance
- Add sangria or cava
Tapas go out to the tables at the start of the meal.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Kidlington: venues and local tips
Kidlington is about 5 miles north-west of Oxford, in Oxfordshire. Wherever your event is in the OX5 area, we can cook for your guests. Kidlington is one of 443 places in Oxfordshire we cover.
Historic buildings near Kidlington frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. Guests travelling by rail: Oxford Parkway station is about 1.3 miles away.
Wherever your event is in OX5, we can cook for your guests. We can cater an event on streets such as High Street, Sterling Road and Exeter Road. Kidlington is on the A4260, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. Close by, we cover events in Gosford (1 mile south-east), Hampton Poyle (1 mile north-east), Islip (2 miles east), Bletchingdon (2 miles north) and Enslow (3 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Oxford (5 miles south-east), Didcot (15 miles south), Bicester (8 miles north-east), Abingdon-on-Thames (10 miles south), Witney (9 miles west) and Carterton (14 miles west).
Well-known places in the area include Oxford Castle (4.9 miles south) and Acland Hospital (4.3 miles south). Open spaces near Kidlington include Hook Meadow and The Trap Grounds.
- Schools near Kidlington include Gosford Hill School (0.5 miles south-east)
- Pubs nearby include Red Lion pub (less than half a mile north-west)
Kidlington questions
How far is Kidlington from London?
Roughly 56 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Mary?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Do you provide drinks?
We can make sangria, and we can staff a bar with your drinks.
Do you have vegetarian tapas?
Lots. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
Which areas do you serve?
We cover London and the South East, Oxfordshire included. See all areas.
Can you cater for children?
Yes, children are easy to cater for. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we’ll plan for them.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Let us know if you’d like one when you ask for a quote.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
- 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