Isle of Wight · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Forest Side, Isle of Wight
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Forest Side. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Engagement drinks
- Birthday drinks
- Receptions and drinks parties
Planning an event in Forest Side?
About our tapas catering in Forest Side
We’ll recommend a tapas selection for your event, starter or main event. For evening grazing and work receptions, we can cook gambas al ajillo, Manchego with membrillo and padrón peppers and more.
Near Forest Side, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, with each paella cooked in its own pan.
- Location
- Forest Side (PO30)
- Region
- Isle of Wight
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Where we can cook in Forest Side
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Permission from the venue
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
Forest Side is a more remote spot, so tell us early and we will plan the journey.
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in Forest Side
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
Also near Forest Side
More for events in Forest Side
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 be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Common questions in Forest Side
Is Forest Side too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
We are having a ceremony at St. Mary's Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
How much is live paella catering?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
How do you work out quantities?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Do we need staff for canapés?
Canapés work best with staff serving, which we can supply.
When do you arrive?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
Do you do starters?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas first, paella to follow.
What happens if it rains?
Rain does not stop us, as long as there’s a ventilated cover. We’ll make a plan B with you.
Tapas for events in Forest Side
Forest Side is about 1 mile north-west of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. We cook at events in homes, gardens and venues in Forest Side. We cook in 125 places across the Isle of Wight. Our events stretch from Forest Side to Southampton (about 15 miles away).
Historic buildings near Forest Side frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. Historic houses near Forest Side include Carisbrooke Castle (1.3 miles south) and Swainston Manor (2.7 miles south-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. With the sea within about 4 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Here we cover the PO30 postcode area. That could mean an event in a garden on Forest Road and Gunville Road or the roads around them. We also cook at events in Hunny Hill (1 mile east), Parkhurst (1 mile north-east), Noke Common (1 mile north-east), Porchfield (2 miles north-west) and Locksgreen (2 miles west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Ryde (7 miles east), Cowes (4 miles north), Sandown (8 miles south-east), Shanklin (8 miles south-east), Ventnor (9 miles south-east) and East Cowes (4 miles north-east). If your event is somewhere remote, tell us early so we can plan the journey.
Nearby you’ll also find Carisbrooke Castle (1.3 miles south) and St Mary's Hospital (1 mile east). The countryside around Forest Side includes Mill Hill and Briddlesford Nature Reserve.
- Nearby schools include Hunnyhill Primary School (0.7 miles east) and Island Innovation VI Form Campus (1.3 miles south-east)
How the day works
Your timings come first. If things run behind, we adjust the cooking so it is still served fresh. At midsummer, it’s light in Forest Side until about 9:20pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
How to prepare
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
Get a quote
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Planning help
Planning for every diet
Most events have a mix of diets. To cater well for them:
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Book staff to carry canapés round
Table tapas are set down to share at the start of the meal.
Spanish desserts to finish.
For event organisers in Forest Side
Throwing a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
If you are organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Prices and what affects them
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- Distance and access to the venue
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- How long we are needed on site
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is often good value, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We will send you a quote.
Details that help
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Expected numbers
- Which courses you have in mind
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Perfect for your event in Forest Side
One spread covers many tastes and diets.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Evening sharing boards
- Engagement drinks
- Work receptions
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St. Mary's Church.
Before you book anyone
- How each diet is kept separate
- The wet-weather plan
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- When payment is due
Is live paella right for your event?
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, so they fit most plans. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
Why us?
- Fast service from the pan
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- 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