Oxfordshire · England
Tapas Catering for Shellingford events
Planning tapas catering in Shellingford? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Tapas and paella menus
- Engagement celebrations
Live tapas catering in Shellingford
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
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.
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 for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Tapas catering in Shellingford, cooked live
Tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties, office events and weddings. We cook patatas bravas, Serrano ham and tortilla española, and we are often booked for work receptions and sharing boards for evening guests.
For a country party near Shellingford, tapas and sangria set the mood. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
- Location
- Shellingford (SN7)
- County
- Oxfordshire
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Catering for every guest
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Here’s how:
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Check diets in advance
Table tapas are set down to share at the start of the meal.
Staff to serve canapés.
Why choose live paella in Shellingford?
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas work brilliantly. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why Shellingford hosts choose us
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
Take a look at How we price Or What paella catering costs.
Dishes our guests love
Patatas bravas
Always popular and generally vegetarian.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Your questions about tapas catering in Shellingford
How far is Shellingford from London?
About 63 miles from central London.
Do you come out to small places like Shellingford?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
What about pudding?
We can add a dessert. Let us know if you’d like one when you ask for a quote.
What do you need at the venue?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
When do you arrive?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
How much is live paella catering?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas for a clear quote.
When should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
What areas do you cover?
We cater across London and the South East, Oxfordshire included. See all areas.
Organising for someone else?
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Hosting a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
How the day works
Watching it cook is half the fun. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook while your guests chat. Sunset in Shellingford is around 9:30pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Getting ready for the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
Get a quote
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, along with any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. To get started, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
More for events in Shellingford
What tapas catering costs
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- How many staff you need
- How many courses
- How many guests are eating
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Getting an accurate quote
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but these help:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Where the event is
To get a price, fill in our quote form. Tell us about your event in Shellingford, and we’ll put together a menu and price.
Planning the cooking area
Every venue is different, so we will ask about yours when you get in touch. Generally, we look for:
- A spot for our serving station
- Parking near the venue
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before booking.
On the menu in Shellingford
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
Tapas for events in Shellingford
Shellingford is about 6 miles north-west of Wantage, in Oxfordshire. For an event in Shellingford, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Shellingford. Shellingford is one of 443 towns and villages in Oxfordshire where we cook. You can also see our page for Oxford, about 15 miles away.
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St Faith.
Anywhere in SN7, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Whether your event is on Church Street and Fernham Road or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. If your venue is just outside Shellingford, we also cover Stanford in the Vale (1 mile east), Hatford (2 miles north-east), Baulking (2 miles south), Bow (2 miles east) and Fernham (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Oxford (15 miles north-east), Didcot (13 miles east), Abingdon-on-Thames (11 miles east), Witney (10 miles north), Carterton (9 miles north) and Wantage (6 miles south-east).
A little further out are Faringdon Castle (1.9 miles north-west) and Faringdon Museum (2.2 miles north-west). Open spaces near Shellingford include Badbury Hill.
- Local schools include Faringdon Community College (2.2 miles west)
- 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