Oxfordshire · England
Tapas Catering in Shiplake
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Shiplake and across Oxfordshire.
- Tapas starters
- Launches and office parties
- Engagement parties
Tapas catering near Shiplake
Before you choose a spot
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We look for:
- Room for a tapas table
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Permission from the venue
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Popular choices
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
Tapas catering in Shiplake, cooked live
A good spread mixes hot and cold: Manchego, Serrano ham and olives alongside patatas bravas, croquetas and gambas al ajillo. For tapas starters and welcome-drink canapés, we can cook Serrano ham, gambas al ajillo and tortilla española for your guests.
For a country party near Shiplake, tapas and sangria set the mood. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
- Location
- Shiplake (RG9)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
What tapas catering costs
These are the factors that matter most:
- How many guests are eating
- How long we’re needed on site
- Your choice of paellas
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Details that help
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but these help:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Anything your venue supplies
- The date and time of the event
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
To get a price, use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Shiplake, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Occasions we cook for in Shiplake
Tapas get people talking, because everyone shares.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Typical bookings include:
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Anniversary parties
- Tapas before paella
- Receptions and drinks parties
Historic houses near Shiplake include Greys Court (4.1 miles north-west) and Greenlands (4.5 miles north). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Before booking anyone
- Staff numbers and hours
- The deposit and payment dates
- How late numbers can change
- Whether VAT is included
How it works
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, which we agree with you beforehand. At midsummer, it’s light in Shiplake until about 9:25pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; 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 circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
How to prepare
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Leave space around the cooking area
Ask for a quote
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Read more
DIY paella versus live catering
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it is in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Shiplake: venues and local tips
Shiplake is about 3 miles north of Woodley, in Oxfordshire. Give us the address of your event in Shiplake, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up before the day. We cook in 443 places across Oxfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages.
Historic buildings near Shiplake often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. Parks such as Loddon Nature Reserve have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
We cover events in every part of the RG9 postcode area. Nearby, we also cater events in Charvil (2 miles south), Twyford (2 miles south-east), Ruscombe (2 miles south-east), Hare Hatch (2 miles east) and The Holt (3 miles east). Further out, we also cater in Benson (12 miles north-west), Chinnor (14 miles north), Tilehurst (7 miles south-west), Wallingford (12 miles north-west), Little Heath (7 miles west) and Oakley (14 miles north).
A little further out are Royal Berkshire Hospital (4.2 miles south-west) and Frazer Nash Archives (2.1 miles north). Green spaces nearby include South Lake and Sonning Hill.
- Schools near Shiplake include Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School (1.2 miles south-east) and The Piggott School (1.2 miles south-east)
- Nearby, you will find The Plough pub (under half a mile north-west)
The menu, dish by dish
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside, often with ham or mushroom.
Why choose live paella in Shiplake?
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. 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 Shiplake hosts choose us
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Events in Shiplake and across Oxfordshire
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
Take a look at How we price Or The cost guide.
For planners, venues and organisers
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Shiplake? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
FAQs for Shiplake
Could we have live paella in Loddon Nature Reserve?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, normally the council. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
Which station should guests use for Shiplake?
The closest is Wargrave station, roughly 0.9 miles away.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can, if you tell us in advance. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Do you take everything away?
Our cooking area is packed away and left clean. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Can you do sangria?
We can add sangria and bar staff.
How much does tapas catering cost in Shiplake?
We quote for each event, so you only pay for what you need. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas for a clear quote.
Do you supply canapé staff?
Canapés work best with staff serving, and we can provide them.
Do you have vegetarian tapas?
Plenty are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers. We label each dish.
Towns and villages near Shiplake
What else we do in Shiplake
- 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