Isle of Wight · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Northwood, Isle of Wight
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Northwood and the Isle of Wight, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Sharing tapas starters
- Engagement parties
- Anniversary parties
Book tapas catering in Northwood
Tapas catering for your event in Northwood
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. Canapés go round while guests mingle, or table tapas go out to share. We cook Manchego with membrillo, gambas al ajillo and croquetas, and typical bookings are for tapas starters and work receptions.
Near Northwood, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
- Area
- Northwood (PO31)
- Area hub
- Isle of Wight
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Prices and what affects them
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- How many staff you need
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- The paellas you choose
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Getting an accurate quote
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Your date and when you want to eat
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. When you’re ready, fill in our quote form.
How the day works
Expect a friendly, organised team. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up the pans and burners, and cook and serve without fuss. A summer drinks reception in Northwood has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, 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 and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We pack down when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Name one person we can ask on the day
How to get a price
Planning tapas catering in Northwood? Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back with ideas and a quote. To contact us, use our quote form.
Read more
Occasions we cook for in Northwood
They’re the classic starter before paella.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Engagement parties
- Sharing tapas starters
- Evening sharing boards
- Launches and office parties
If you’re looking at a historic venue around Northwood, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
What to look for in a quote
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- Payment terms and deposit
- How late numbers can change
- The venue requirements
Organising for someone else?
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
A closer look at the menu
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside, often with ham or mushroom.
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Receptions and parties in Northwood
Northwood is about 1 mile south of Cowes, in the Isle of Wight. We cater events at homes, gardens and venues in Northwood and nearby villages. Northwood is one of 125 towns and villages in the Isle of Wight we cover. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 13 miles away.
Historic houses near Northwood include Osborne House (2 miles east) and Carisbrooke Castle (3.9 miles south). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like All Saints' Church. With the sea within about 2 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Here we cover the PO31 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. From Nodes Road, Wyatts Lane and Uplands Road or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. For events just outside Northwood, we cover Rew Street (1 mile west), Gurnard (1 mile north), Cowes (1 mile north), Noke Common (2 miles south) and Parkhurst (2 miles south). Further out, we also cater in Newport (3 miles south), Ryde (7 miles east), Sandown (9 miles south-east), Shanklin (10 miles south-east), Ventnor (11 miles south-east) and Oakfield (7 miles east). Some remote venues need extra planning, so contact us in good time.
Other landmarks nearby include Isle of Wight Natural History Centre (0.5 miles north) and West Cowes Castle (1.7 miles north). Open spaces near Northwood include Mill Hill and Briddlesford Nature Reserve.
- Schools near Northwood include Cowes Enterprise College (1.4 miles north)
- Local pubs include The Travellers Joy pub (within half a mile south-west)
Is live paella right for your event?
For food that gets people mingling, tapas work brilliantly. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why us?
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- A quote that spells everything out
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
Towns and villages near Northwood
Other catering in Northwood
Northwood: your questions answered
Can you cater a reception after a service at All Saints' Church?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you cook near the sea around Northwood?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
How soon do we need to book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
Can you serve drinks?
Yes, sangria. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Do you cook inside?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Courtyards, doorways and terraces often work.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Of course. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, while the rice is cooking.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
How much paella per person?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
Where we can cook in Northwood
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but a few things matter:
- Permission from the venue
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Parking near the venue
Northwood is a more remote spot, so tell us early and we’ll plan the journey.
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before you book.
What we offer
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
Diets, allergies and planning
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. A few tips:
- Label seafood clearly
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
Table tapas are set down to share.
Add a live paella main.
- 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