Isle of Wight · England
Tapas Catering in Great Thorness
Planning tapas catering in Great Thorness? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Evening sharing boards
Planning an event in Great Thorness?
Tapas catering in Great Thorness, made fresh on the day
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. Typical bookings include evening sharing boards and work receptions, with Manchego with membrillo, tortilla española and croquetas.
Near Great Thorness, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, each in a separate pan.
- Area
- Great Thorness (PO31)
- County
- Isle of Wight
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Receptions and parties in Great Thorness
Great Thorness is about 3 miles south-west of Cowes, in the Isle of Wight. We bring tapas catering to homes, gardens and venues in Great Thorness. We cook in all 125 towns and villages in the Isle of Wight. We cook right across the region, from Great Thorness to Southampton (about 13 miles away).
Historic buildings near Great Thorness often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. With the sea within about 4 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Wherever your event is in PO31, we can bring tapas catering to you. If your venue is just outside Great Thorness, we also cover Porchfield (1 mile south-west), Locksgreen (1 mile south-west), Rew Street (2 miles north-east), Newtown (2 miles south-west) and Northwood (2 miles north-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Newport (3 miles south-east), Ryde (9 miles east), Cowes (3 miles north-east), Sandown (10 miles south-east), Shanklin (10 miles south-east) and Ventnor (11 miles south-east). Remote venues take a little more planning, so contact us in good time.
Well-known places in the area include Carisbrooke Castle (3.5 miles south-east) and St Mary's Hospital (2.8 miles south-east). Not far away are Mill Hill.
- Local pubs include Sportsman's Rest pub (0.9 miles south-west)
Also near Great Thorness
What else we do in Great Thorness
Events we cater in Great Thorness
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
In Great Thorness and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Some of the most common are:
- Engagement parties
- Sharing tapas starters
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Drinks reception canapés
Nearby historic houses include Swainston Manor (3 miles south) and Carisbrooke Castle (3.5 miles south-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
Before you book anyone
- Whether VAT is included
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- Whether travel is included
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and do not stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
For planners, venues and organisers
If you’re organising for someone else, whether you are a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we’ll work directly with you and the venue. It saves passing messages back and forth.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Questions from Great Thorness
Do you come out to small places like Great Thorness?
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, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
We can add sangria and bar staff.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, on request. Let us know your halal numbers, and it is cooked separately.
How much paella per person?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Do you cook tapas on site?
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. We arrive with everything we need and cook it there and then, serving it hot from the pan.
Who clears up?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
The process
Here’s how the day normally runs: we set up the pans and start the sofrito, your guests watch the rice cook, and it’s served hot from the pan at the agreed time. A summer drinks reception in Great Thorness has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it’s dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- You get a selection and a price.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
Preparing for the day
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Share the running order, including any speeches
Ask for a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, use our quote form.
Read more
Space, weather and the venue
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Access to unload near the serving area
Great Thorness is a more remote spot, so tell us early and we will plan the journey.
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Menu ideas
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
The menu, dish by dish
Patatas bravas
Crisp potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce, often with alioli.
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
How we price tapas catering
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- How many staff you need
- The length of service
- The number of people
Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We’ll send you a quote.
Details that help
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- The address or venue name
- A picture of the space, if you can
- The courses you’d like
- What the venue already provides
It’s easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Dietary needs and planning tips
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Include staff for canapés
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Label seafood clearly
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Serving boards and crockery.
- 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