Isle of Wight · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Afton, Isle of Wight
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella turns food into part of your event in Afton.
- Evening sharing boards
- Engagement drinks
- Tapas with a paella main course
Tapas catering near Afton
How our tapas catering works in Afton
We will suggest a selection to suit your timings and guests, starter or main event. Typical bookings include sharing tapas starters and birthday and anniversary parties, with padrón peppers, patatas bravas and croquetas.
In a rural spot like Afton, tapas can be served in a garden, barn or marquee. We serve straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and service is quick once it’s ready.
- Where
- Afton (PO40)
- County
- Isle of Wight
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Diets, allergies and planning
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
Afterwards, we clear away.
Sangria and bar staff.
Prices and what affects them
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Whether you need crockery
- Travel, parking and access
- Your choice of paellas
- Timings and hours
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
What to tell us
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- A photo of the space, if you can
- The date and time of the event
- Expected numbers
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, plus any dietary needs, and we will reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
DIY paella versus live catering
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.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Working with your venue
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Afton? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
How the day works
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Guests generally gather round to watch as the paella takes shape. At midsummer, it’s light in Afton until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:10pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:05pm, 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.
- 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.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Preparing for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
Ask for a quote
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll make suggestions. Start when you’re ready: use our quote form.
Related guides
What’s in the pans
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette cut into bites.
Where we can cook in Afton
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Space for a serving table or station
- Permission from the venue
Afton is a more remote spot, so tell us early and we will plan the journey.
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
On the menu in Afton
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
Live paella or other catering?
Generic canapés all look the same. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. We itemise everything in your quote.
Why Afton hosts choose us
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Catering across the Isle of Wight, including Afton
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
See Our prices page And The cost guide.
FAQs for Afton
Do you come out to small places like Afton?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
What about events near the coast?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
Who clears up?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three is usual: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We will suggest a split based on your guests.
How do you work out quantities?
It depends on whether they’re a starter, canapés or the whole meal. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest quantities.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, served while the paella cooks.
Do you cook inside?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
Nearby places to Afton
What else we do in Afton
Afton: venues and local tips
Afton is about 6 miles south of Lymington, in the Isle of Wight. Across the PO40 area, we can cook for your guests. Afton is one of 125 towns and villages in the Isle of Wight we cover. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 18 miles away.
Historic buildings near Afton often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St. Agnes' Church. With the sea within about 2 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
We cater events across PO40. Streets in the area include Bay Road, Afton Road and Manor Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Close by, we cover events in Afton Park (1 mile east), Easton (1 mile west), Freshwater (1 mile north-west), Norton Green (1 mile north) and Colwell (1 mile north-west). Larger places within reach include Newport (9 miles east), Ryde (15 miles east), Cowes (10 miles north-east), Sandown (15 miles east), Shanklin (15 miles east) and Ventnor (14 miles south-east). Some remote venues need extra planning, so ask early about your event.
Other landmarks nearby include Medina (1.5 miles west) and Yarmouth Castle (2.2 miles north). Not far away are Afton Down and Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes Nature Reserve.
- Nearby, you will find The Red Lion pub (0.7 miles north)
- 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