Isle of Wight · England
Tapas Catering for Carisbrooke events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Carisbrooke: paella cooked from scratch in huge pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Engagement parties
- Drinks reception canapés
- Tapas starters
Tapas catering for Carisbrooke events
About the dishes
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat, often with ham or mushroom.
Tapas catering in Carisbrooke, made fresh on the day
We finish hot tapas on site, so they’re served at their best. Popular choices include croquetas, padrón peppers and patatas bravas, and typical bookings are for cocktail parties and launches and office parties.
Tapas make a party in Carisbrooke easy and sociable. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
- Where
- Carisbrooke (PO30)
- County
- Isle of Wight
- Dietary options
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Common questions in Carisbrooke
What about events near the coast?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
Can you cook in Seaclose Park?
Only if the landowner, normally the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
Do you have vegetarian tapas?
Many tapas are naturally vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers. We label each dish.
Do you do desserts?
We can add a dessert. Let us know if you’d like one in your enquiry.
Can we add drinks?
We can add sangria and bar staff.
Do you cook inside?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we’ll check with you and the venue.
Which areas do you serve?
We cover London and the South East, the Isle of Wight included. See all areas.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Places near Carisbrooke
Other catering in Carisbrooke
Carisbrooke: venues and local tips
Carisbrooke is about 1 mile south-west of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. From the centre of Carisbrooke to the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Carisbrooke is one of 125 places in the Isle of Wight where we cook. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 16 miles away.
After a ceremony at a church such as St. Mary's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. A picnic in Seaclose Park? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering. The coast is within about 5 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
For tapas catering in PO30, we plan around your venue and your guests. We can cater an event on streets such as Down Lane, Purdy Road and Castle Lane or the roads around them. If your venue is just outside Carisbrooke, we also cover Clatterford (1 mile south), Gunville (1 mile north), Plaish (1 mile south-west), Bowcombe (1 mile south-west) and Gatcombe (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include Ryde (7 miles east), Cowes (5 miles north), Sandown (7 miles east), Shanklin (7 miles south-east), Ventnor (8 miles south-east) and East Cowes (5 miles north). Some remote venues need extra planning, so ask early about your event.
Well-known places in the area include Isle of Wight Music Museum (1.1 miles north-east) and Carisbrooke Castle (under half a mile south-east). Green spaces nearby include Briddlesford Nature Reserve and Brighstone Down.
- Local schools include Christ The King College (within half a mile north-east) and Island Innovation VI Form Campus (1.1 miles east)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Waverley pub (within half a mile east)
Planning the cooking area
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Space for a serving table or station
For somewhere as remote as Carisbrooke, early notice helps us plan the trip.
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
Occasions we cook for in Carisbrooke
Big or small, tapas work.
These are some of the occasions we cater:
- Cocktail parties
- Anniversary parties
- Engagement parties
- Tapas and paella menus
Nearby historic houses include Carisbrooke Castle (within half a mile south-east) and Gatcombe House (2.1 miles south). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
Comparing caterers
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- Allergen information for each dish
- What happens if it rains
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
What tapas catering costs
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- Timings and hours
- Parking and unloading
- How many staff you need
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Getting an accurate quote
These details help us quote quickly:
- A picture of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- Which courses you have in mind
- Anything your venue supplies
- Diets and allergies you know about
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, use our quote form.
The process
When the rice goes in, it is left alone. That is what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. Your guests will smell it before they see it. At midsummer, it’s light in Carisbrooke until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We clear away our equipment when service is finished.
Preparing for the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
Getting a price
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Read more
Is live paella right for your event?
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Why choose Love Paella in Carisbrooke
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Drinks service on request
- We cover Carisbrooke and the whole of the Isle of Wight
Read Our prices page And Our guide to catering costs.
Catering for every guest
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Label seafood clearly
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Make sure dishes are labelled
Staff keep the canapés coming.
Bar staff and sangria.
Planners, venues and businesses
Organising a club, school or community event in Carisbrooke? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll explain how it works. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
- 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