Isle of Wight · England
Tapas Catering for Nettlecombe events
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Nettlecombe.
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Tapas starters
- Cocktail parties
Tapas catering near Nettlecombe
About our tapas catering in Nettlecombe
Sangria and bar staff can be added, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. We are often asked to cater table tapas as a starter and engagement parties, serving croquetas, padrón peppers and gambas al ajillo.
Near Nettlecombe, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, not reheated, and served the moment it is ready.
- Area
- Nettlecombe (PO38)
- County
- Isle of Wight
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
How we price tapas catering
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Distance and access to the venue
- How many guests are eating
- Whether you need crockery
Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so it helps to tell us about your venue. Everything is confirmed in writing.
What to tell us
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- The venue or postcode
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Expected numbers
- The date and rough timings
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, send us your details through our quote form.
Events we cater in Nettlecombe
They suit standing receptions where a full meal does not fit.
If you are planning any of these, we can help:
- Work receptions
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Anniversary parties
After a ceremony at a church such as Water Hydrant Opposite Parish Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
What your quote should include
- The deadline for final numbers
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- How long the team stays
- What the price includes, item by item
Also in Nettlecombe
Diets, allergies and planning
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Collect dietary needs
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Ask for labels on each dish
Canapés circulate with drinks.
Staff to serve canapés.
FAQs for Nettlecombe
Can you cook near the sea around Nettlecombe?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
What’s the nearest station to Nettlecombe for guests?
The closest is Shanklin station, roughly 4.1 miles away.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, where your guests can watch.
Are the tapas fresh?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue so they’re served at their best.
How far ahead should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
Who clears up?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Waiting staff can clear tables if you book them.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we’ll do the cooking.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Receptions and parties in Nettlecombe
Nettlecombe is about 7 miles south of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. Tell us where your event in Nettlecombe will be, and we will plan access and set-up before the day. We cover 125 places in the Isle of Wight, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 23 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Shanklin station is about 4.1 miles away. Historic houses near Nettlecombe include Rylstone Manor (4 miles north-east) and Sheat Manor (4.3 miles north-west). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. With the sea within about 3 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Here we cover the PO38 postcode area, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. For events just outside Nettlecombe, we cover Southford (1 mile north-west), Bierley (1 mile west), Wroxall (2 miles north-east), Godshill (2 miles north) and Sandford (2 miles north). Larger places within reach include Newport (7 miles north), Ryde (9 miles north-east), Cowes (11 miles north), Sandown (6 miles north-east), Shanklin (4 miles north-east) and East Cowes (11 miles north). For an event at a remote venue, tell us early so we can plan the journey.
A little further out are Arthur Webster Memorial Hospital for Children (4.1 miles north-east) and South Wight (2.6 miles east). The countryside around Nettlecombe includes Stenbury Down.
- Pubs nearby include The White Horse Inn (within half a mile south-west)
Before you choose a spot
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Space for a serving table or station
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Unloading access
For somewhere as remote as Nettlecombe, early notice helps us plan the trip.
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
What we offer
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
Why choose live paella in Nettlecombe?
Tapas are flexible, so they fit most plans. Larger events normally cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why book with us
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- A clear, itemised quote
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
See Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Working with your venue
Events in public spaces, like parks, typically need permission. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Step by step
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you can enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first as the rice is cooking. At midsummer, it is light in Nettlecombe 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 hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
Getting a price
It is easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Related guides
- 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