Oxfordshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Shorthampton, Oxfordshire
Looking for tapas catering in Shorthampton? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Cocktail parties
- Engagement parties
- Drinks reception canapés
Tapas catering near Shorthampton
How our tapas catering works in Shorthampton
Tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties, office events and weddings. Popular choices include Serrano ham, croquetas and Manchego with membrillo, and typical bookings are for tapas starters and anniversary parties.
For a country party near Shorthampton, tapas and sangria set the mood. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, with each paella cooked in its own pan.
- Area
- Shorthampton (OX7)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Planning for every diet
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Include staff for canapés
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Serving boards and crockery.
Working with your venue
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so guests are fed quickly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
Common questions in Shorthampton
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of All Saints?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Is Shorthampton too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Are the tapas fresh?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue so they’re served at their best.
How do you work out quantities?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas first, paella to follow.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Yes. Tortilla, bravas and Manchego are popular vegetarian choices.
Can you do sangria?
Yes. Sangria can be added, and bar staff if you are providing the drinks.
Can you provide dessert?
We can add a dessert. Let us know if you’d like one in your enquiry.
The process
When we arrive, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so the timing is planned around your event. Sunset in Shorthampton is around 9:30pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- 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
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Tell us where to park and unload
How to get a price
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Read more
Why choose tapas catering in Shorthampton?
Tapas get people talking, because everyone shares.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Typical bookings include:
- Cocktail parties
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Table tapas as a starter
- Work receptions
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Charlbury station, about 1.5 miles east.
Questions to ask before you book
- When payment is due
- Whether VAT is included
- What happens if it rains
- Who provides the crockery
Prices and what affects them
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- The length of service
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Parking and unloading
- The number of people
The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
Details that help
To speed things up, tell us:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Which courses you have in mind
- The date and rough timings
- What the venue already provides
The quickest way to a quote is to fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We’ll send you a quote.
Why Shorthampton hosts choose us
- Fast service from the pan
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- A quote that spells everything out
Take a look at Our prices page And Our guide to catering costs.
Planning a tapas spread in Shorthampton
Shorthampton is about 6 miles north of Witney, in Oxfordshire. Whether your event is in the middle of Shorthampton or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Shorthampton is one of 443 places in Oxfordshire where we cook. Our events stretch from Shorthampton to Oxford (15 miles away).
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of All Saints.
For tapas catering in OX7, we plan around your venue. Nearby, we also cater events in Chilson (1 mile south-west), Chadlington (1 mile north), Ascott-under-Wychwood (2 miles south-west), Ascott d'Oyley (2 miles south-west) and Ascott Earl (2 miles south-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Oxford (15 miles south-east), Banbury (15 miles north-east), Witney (6 miles south), Carterton (8 miles south), Kidlington (11 miles east) and Chipping Norton (4 miles north).
Not far away are Blenheim Farm.
Dishes our guests love
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite when made carefully.
Also near Shorthampton
What else we do in Shorthampton
Should I cook it 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 be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and handles separate pans for each diet.
- 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