Oxfordshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Mackney, Oxfordshire
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Mackney. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Tapas before paella
Book tapas catering in Mackney
Tapas catering in Mackney, cooked live
The best spreads mix hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. Popular choices include Serrano ham, padrón peppers and gambas al ajillo, and we’re often booked for work receptions and birthday drinks.
For a country party near Mackney, tapas and sangria set the mood. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
- Where
- Mackney (OX10)
- County
- Oxfordshire
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Your questions about tapas catering in Mackney
Which station should guests use for Mackney?
Cholsey station, about 2.4 miles south of the centre.
Do you cater in the North Wessex Downs National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
How soon do we need to book?
As soon as you have a date. Popular dates book up first, so it pays to ask early.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, where your guests can watch.
How much does tapas catering cost in Mackney?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Do you do starters?
Yes, and it’s a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
How many paellas should we have?
Normally two or three, so every guest has a choice. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we will suggest the mix.
What do you need at the venue?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
Step by step
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. We need a level, ventilated spot, and we agree where that is before the day. At midsummer, it’s light in Mackney until about 9:25pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Before we arrive
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
Get a quote
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Mackney? Send us the details and we’ll come back with ideas and a quote. Just fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Occasions we cook for in Mackney
Big or small, tapas work.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In Mackney, people book us for events such as:
- Table tapas as a starter
- Tapas and paella menus
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Evening sharing boards
For guests coming by train, Cholsey station is about 2.4 miles away.
Comparing caterers
- When payment is due
- A clear list of what’s included
- What happens if it rains
- VAT, if it applies
What we need at the venue
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We need:
- Room for a tapas table
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Access to unload near the serving area
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
Working with your venue
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Mackney? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we will suggest a menu.
Events in public spaces, like parks, usually need permission. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
Planning a tapas spread in Mackney
Mackney is about 4 miles east of Didcot, in Oxfordshire. We cater events at gardens, halls and venues around Mackney and the surrounding area. Mackney is one of 443 towns and villages in Oxfordshire we cover. We cook right across the region, from Mackney to Oxford (about 10 miles away).
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Agatha. A picnic in Kinecroft? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering. The North Wessex Downs National Landscape is within about 7 miles of Mackney, ideal for an outdoor reception.
This part of Oxfordshire takes in OX10. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Brightwell-cum-Sotwell (1 mile north), North Moreton (1 mile west), Wallingford (1 mile east), Shillingford (2 miles north-east) and Little Wittenham (2 miles north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Oxford (10 miles north), Didcot (4 miles west), Abingdon-on-Thames (7 miles north-west), Thame (13 miles north-east), Wantage (11 miles west) and Henley-on-Thames (12 miles south-east).
Well-known places in the area include Pendon Museum (3.3 miles north-west) and Brightwell Castle (0.5 miles north). Not far away are Wittenham Clumps and Cholsey Marsh.
- Nearby schools include Wallingford School (1.5 miles east)
Catering for every guest
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:
- Label seafood clearly
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Canapés need staff to serve
Table tapas are set down to share.
Bar staff and sangria.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. 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 enjoy the party, let us cook.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
What’s in the pans
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns with a little chilli.
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Is live paella right for your event?
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel special. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
Why us?
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Real theatre, not just catering
Places near Mackney
More for events in Mackney
- 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