Oxfordshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Roke, Oxfordshire
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Roke: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests.
- Cocktail parties
- Engagement parties
- Sharing tapas starters
Live tapas catering in Roke
Common questions in Roke
Can you cook at venues in the Chilterns National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will follow the site rules.
Is Roke close to London?
Roughly 44 miles from the centre of London.
When do you arrive?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
Do you cater in Roke?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Roke and across Oxfordshire. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, on request. Proper crockery or quality disposables can be added to your booking.
Is it really cooked live?
It is. We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook on the day, serving it hot from the pan.
How much paella per person?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Tell us what else is being served. See how much paella per person.
Tapas catering for your event in Roke
The best spreads mix hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. Typical bookings include table tapas as a starter and tapas before paella, with gambas al ajillo, Serrano ham and Manchego with membrillo.
In a rural spot like Roke, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We serve straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
- Location
- Roke (OX10)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Other catering in Roke
A closer look at the menu
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite when made carefully.
The process
Once the rice is in, we do not stir it. That is what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. Your guests will smell it before they see it. A summer drinks reception in Roke has daylight until about 9:25pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
How to get a price
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we’re available that day.
Related guides
Live paella or other catering?
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel special. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Why Roke hosts choose us
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
Take a look at Our prices page And The cost guide.
Receptions and parties in Roke
Roke is about 7 miles east of Didcot, in Oxfordshire. Whether your event is in the middle of Roke or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cook in 443 places in Oxfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Oxford, about 10 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Brightwell Manor (3.4 miles south-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. If you’re looking at a historic venue around Roke, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. The Chilterns National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Roke, ideal for an outdoor reception.
We cook at events all over OX10. We also cook at events in Ewelme (2 miles south-east), Brightwell Baldwin (2 miles north-east), Chalgrove (2 miles north), Britwell Salome (3 miles east) and Watlington (4 miles east). Further out, we also cater in Oxford (10 miles north-west), Didcot (7 miles west), Abingdon-on-Thames (8 miles west), Thame (9 miles north-east), Wantage (14 miles west) and Henley-on-Thames (11 miles south-east).
Nearby you’ll also find Aston Martin Heritage Trust Museum (2.4 miles north-west) and Wallingford Castle (2.5 miles south-west). Open spaces near Roke include Wittenham Clumps and Ewelme Watercress Beds.
- Schools near Roke include Wallingford School (2.5 miles south-west)
- Nearby, you’ll find Home Sweet Home pub (less than half a mile north-east)
Diets, allergies and planning
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To make it work smoothly:
- Label seafood clearly
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Planners, venues and businesses
Hosting a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we will tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
Where we can cook in Roke
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Space for a serving table or station
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
What tapas catering costs
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Your choice of paellas
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Whether you need crockery
- Guest numbers
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
What we need to know
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Try to include:
- The date and time of the event
- Roughly how many adults and children
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
Planning tapas catering in Roke? Send us the details and we will come back with ideas and a quote. To get in touch, fill in our quote form.
Who books tapas catering in Roke?
They’re ideal when a full meal doesn’t fit.
Here are some of the events we cook for around Roke:
- Office parties and launches
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Evening sharing boards
- Tapas before paella
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Helen, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Before booking anyone
- Travel and parking costs
- How bad weather is handled
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- How long the team stays
- 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