Oxfordshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Lower Arncott, Oxfordshire
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Lower Arncott and the surrounding area.
- Tapas starters
- Birthday drinks
- Engagement drinks
Book tapas catering in Lower Arncott
Receptions and parties in Lower Arncott
Lower Arncott is about 3 miles south-east of Bicester, in Oxfordshire. Events in Lower Arncott are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. Lower Arncott is one of 443 towns and villages in Oxfordshire where we cook. Our nearest city page is Oxford, about 9 miles away.
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Bicester Village station, about 2.8 miles north-west. After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Mary the Virgin, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Anywhere in OX25, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. From Ploughley Road and Willowbrook or a nearby road, we can cook there. For events just outside Lower Arncott, we cover Upper Arncott (1 mile south), Ambrosden (1 mile north), Merton (2 miles west), Murcott (2 miles south-west) and Fencott (2 miles south-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Oxford (9 miles south-west), Bicester (3 miles north-west), Abingdon-on-Thames (14 miles south-west), Thame (10 miles south-east), Kidlington (8 miles west) and Chinnor (14 miles south-east).
Nearby you’ll also find Bicester Community Hospital (3.2 miles north-west) and Bicester Village (2.9 miles north-west). The countryside around Lower Arncott includes Graven Hill and Woodsides Meadow.
- Nearby, you will find The Plough pub (less than half a mile south)
How our tapas catering works in Lower Arncott
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. Whether it’s evening sharing boards and work receptions, we will put together a menu of padrón peppers, gambas al ajillo and Serrano ham.
In a rural spot like Lower Arncott, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in a separate pan and clearly labelled.
- Area
- Lower Arncott (OX25)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Perfect for your event in Lower Arncott
Tapas are sociable food.
Here are some of the events we cook for in Lower Arncott and Oxfordshire:
- Office parties and launches
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Table tapas as a starter
- Tapas and paella menus
Historic houses near Lower Arncott include Boarstall Tower (2.5 miles south). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
What your quote should include
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- How bad weather is handled
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- What the price includes, item by item
What happens on the day
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you’re free to enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first as the rice is cooking. At midsummer, it is light in Lower Arncott until about 9:25pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
Preparing for the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Leave space around the cooking area
Ask for a quote
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, use our quote form.
Related guides
Other catering in Lower Arncott
Why live cooking beats a buffet
For food that gets people mingling, tapas are hard to beat. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why choose Love Paella in Lower Arncott
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- A quote that spells everything out
- Fast service from the pan
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
Planning for every diet
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Here’s how:
- Add sangria or cava
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Ensure dishes are labelled
Tapas go out to the tables.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Questions from Lower Arncott
What’s the nearest station to Lower Arncott for guests?
The closest is Bicester Village station, roughly 2.8 miles away.
We are having a ceremony at Church of St Mary the Virgin: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is usually elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
What happens if it rains?
Rain doesn’t stop us, as long as there is a ventilated cover. We will make a plan B with you.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Lots. Tortilla, bravas and Manchego are popular vegetarian choices.
Can you serve drinks?
Sangria can be added, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
Are the tapas fresh?
Hot tapas are finished on site.
Can you cater for children?
Yes, children are easy to cater for. Let us know numbers and ages, and we’ll plan a pan with them in mind.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
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.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
For event organisers in Lower Arncott
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.
Throwing a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Planning the cooking area
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space when you get in touch. In general, we need:
- Room for a tapas table
- Permission from the venue
- Space on each table
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
What we offer
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
The menu, dish by dish
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce.
- 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