Isle of Wight · England
Tapas Catering for Gatcombe events
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Gatcombe and nearby, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Engagement parties
- Tapas and paella menus
- Drinks reception canapés
Planning an event in Gatcombe?
Planning for every diet
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because every paella has its own pan. A few tips:
- Include staff for canapés
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Check diets in advance
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Crockery and serving dishes.
How our tapas catering works in Gatcombe
Tapas are sharing food, made for conversation. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. For sharing boards for evening guests and sharing tapas starters, we’ll put together a menu of padrón peppers, gambas al ajillo and croquetas and more.
For a country party near Gatcombe, tapas and sangria set the mood. We serve straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and service is quick once it is ready.
- Area
- Gatcombe (PO30)
- Region
- Isle of Wight
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
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.
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Gatcombe questions
We are having a ceremony at St. Olave's Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Is Gatcombe too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
Yes, on request. Proper crockery or quality disposables can be added to your booking.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Of course. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, while the rice is cooking.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain doesn’t stop us, as long as there’s a ventilated cover. We’ll talk it through before the day.
How many different paellas?
Two or three covers most guests. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
We can add sangria and bar staff.
Do you cater in Gatcombe?
Yes. We cover London and the South East, including Gatcombe and the rest of the Isle of Wight. To check your date, send us your details through our quote form.
Tapas for events in Gatcombe
Gatcombe is about 2 miles south of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. For an event in Gatcombe, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. We cover all 125 towns and villages across the Isle of Wight, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 18 miles away.
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St. Olave's Church. Historic houses near Gatcombe include Gatcombe House (within half a mile south-east) and Sheat Manor (0.5 miles south-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
Anywhere in PO30, we can bring tapas catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Streets in the area include Gatcombe Road, Rectory Lane and Newbarn Lane, and we can cook for an event on any of them. If your venue is just outside Gatcombe, we also cover Chillerton (1 mile south), Plaish (2 miles north-west), Clatterford (2 miles north), Bowcombe (2 miles north-west) and Carisbrooke (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Ryde (8 miles north-east), Cowes (6 miles north), Sandown (6 miles east), Shanklin (6 miles east), Ventnor (6 miles south-east) and East Cowes (6 miles north). Remote venues take a little more planning, so contact us in good time.
Other landmarks nearby include Carisbrooke Castle (1.6 miles north) and Isle of Wight Music Museum (2.5 miles north). Not far away are Briddlesford Nature Reserve and Brighstone Down.
- Nearby schools include Christ The King College (2.1 miles north)
A closer look at the menu
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce.
Who books tapas catering in Gatcombe?
They work for any size of event.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Engagement drinks
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Evening grazing
- Canapés with welcome drinks
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Gatcombe, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Comparing caterers
- VAT, if it applies
- Who provides the crockery
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- How long the team stays
Places near Gatcombe
Other catering in Gatcombe
The process
Watching it cook is half the fun. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook while your guests chat. Evening receptions in Gatcombe stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Share the running order, including any speeches
How to get a price
Planning tapas catering in Gatcombe? Send us the details and we will come back with ideas and a quote. Just fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Paella compared with other options
Standard canapés can feel samey. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before booking.
Why book with us
- We cover Gatcombe and the whole of the Isle of Wight
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- A clear, itemised quote
See Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Before you choose a spot
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- Space for a serving table or station
- Unloading access
- An area to prepare hot tapas
Gatcombe is a more remote spot, so tell us early and we’ll plan the journey.
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
On the menu in Gatcombe
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
Organising for someone else?
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
- 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