Oxfordshire · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Upton, Oxfordshire
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Upton. We cook from scratch on site, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Drinks reception canapés
- Tapas starters
- Anniversary parties
Tapas catering near Upton
Tapas catering in Upton, cooked live
Canapé tapas suit standing receptions; table tapas suit seated meals. Lots of events do both. Whether it’s engagement parties and work receptions, we’ll put together a menu of croquetas, tortilla española and albóndigas for your guests.
In a rural spot like Upton, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
- Area
- Upton (OX11)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Upton questions
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Mary?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you cook at venues in the North Wessex Downs National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will work to whatever the site needs.
What if the weather’s bad?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We’ll make a plan B with you.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Hot tapas are finished on site.
How much paella per person?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes. We cook vegetarian and vegan paellas in their own pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
How far ahead should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
Perfect for your event in Upton
They work for any size of event.
In Upton and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Some of the most common are:
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Engagement celebrations
Guests travelling by rail: Didcot Parkway station is about 2.4 miles away.
What your quote should include
- Travel and parking costs
- What happens if it rains
- When final numbers are due
- The venue requirements
Planning the cooking area
We’ll be honest if a space will not work, and suggest an alternative. What matters most:
- Parking near the venue
- Room for a tapas table
- Venue approval for outside catering
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
Popular choices
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
Paella compared with other options
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, which makes them easy to plan around. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Why choose Love Paella in Upton
- Drinks service on request
- Catering across Oxfordshire, including Upton
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Served hot, straight from the pan
Take a look at Our pricing Or What paella catering costs.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
Each dish is labelled.
Sangria and bar staff.
Should I cook it myself?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. 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.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and do not stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
What tapas catering costs
We will give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- Waiting and bar staff
- Your choice of paellas
- The length of service
- The number of people
Got a budget? Let us know, and we will suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
What to tell us
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- Roughly how many adults and children
- The courses you’d like
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Diets and allergies you know about
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will make suggestions. To start, fill in our quote form.
Also in Upton
Tapas for events in Upton
Upton is about 2 miles south of Didcot, in Oxfordshire. Give us the address of your event in Upton, and we will plan access and set-up. We cater in all 443 towns and villages in Oxfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Oxford, about 12 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Mary, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Historic houses near Upton include Brightwell Manor (4.7 miles north-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. The North Wessex Downs National Landscape is within about 5 miles of Upton, ideal for an outdoor reception.
Wherever your event is in OX11, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. That could mean an event in a garden on High Street, London Road and Pound Lane or the roads around them. Nearby, we also cater events in West Hagbourne (1 mile north), Coscote (1 mile north), East Hagbourne (1 mile north-east), Blewbury (1 mile south-east) and Chilton (2 miles south-west). Further out, we also cater in Oxford (12 miles north), Abingdon-on-Thames (7 miles north), Wantage (7 miles west), Grove (7 miles west), Faringdon (15 miles west) and Benson (7 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Atlas Computer Laboratory (2.4 miles west) and Brightwell Castle (4.7 miles north-east). Open spaces near Upton include Churn Hill and Mowbray Fields.
- Schools near Upton include St Birinus School (1.8 miles north-east)
- Nearby, you will find The George at Upton pub (within half a mile south-west)
What’s in the pans
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce, frequently with alioli.
Step by step
When the rice goes in, it is left alone. That is what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. The smell usually draws people over. Evening receptions in Upton stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:25pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Getting ready for the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
Get a quote
It’s easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Planning help
- 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