Isle of Wight · England
Tapas Catering for Shorwell events
Looking for tapas catering in Shorwell? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Tapas before paella
- Birthday drinks
- Launches and office parties
Book tapas catering in Shorwell
What tapas catering costs
Every event is priced individually, and the price depends on a few things:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- How many staff you need
- Parking and unloading
- Timings and hours
Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
What we need to know
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Expected numbers
- A picture of where we’d cook
- The date and rough timings
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will send a clear, itemised quote.
About our tapas catering in Shorwell
Tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties, office events and weddings in and around Shorwell. Whether it is sharing tapas starters and tapas with a paella main course, we will put together a menu of Serrano ham, Manchego with membrillo and croquetas for your guests.
For a country party near Shorwell, tapas and sangria set the mood. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, with each paella cooked in its own pan.
- Area
- Shorwell (PO30)
- Area hub
- Isle of Wight
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
What’s in the pans
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil with a little chilli.
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Tapas for events in Shorwell
Shorwell is about 5 miles south-west of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. Wherever your event is in the PO30 area, we can cook for your guests. Shorwell is one of 125 towns and villages in the Isle of Wight we cover. Our events stretch from Shorwell to Southampton (about 19 miles away).
Historic houses near Shorwell include Northcourt Manor (within half a mile north) and Westcourt Manor (within half a mile west). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. After a ceremony at a church such as St. Peter's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
This part of the Isle of Wight takes in PO30. Streets in the area include Fine Lane, Orchards Way and Farriers Way, and we can cook for an event on any of them. If your venue is just outside Shorwell, we also cover Thorncross (1 mile south-west), Little Atherfield (2 miles south), Moortown (2 miles west), Brighstone (2 miles west) and Chillerton (2 miles east). Further out, we also cater in Newport (5 miles north-east), Ryde (10 miles north-east), Cowes (8 miles north), Sandown (9 miles east), Shanklin (8 miles east) and Ventnor (7 miles south-east). Some remote venues need extra planning, so ask early about your event.
A little further out are Carisbrooke Castle (3.6 miles north-east) and Whitecroft Hospital (3.1 miles north-east). Open spaces near Shorwell include Brighstone Down.
- Pubs nearby include The Crown Inn (under half a mile north)
Working with your venue
Hosting a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Events in public spaces, like parks, usually need permission. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Nibbles fill a gap. Tapas make a proper course. 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 choose Love Paella in Shorwell
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
Shorwell: your questions answered
Do you come out to small places like Shorwell?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St. Peter's Church?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is usually elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
What happens if it rains?
We cook under cover, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans.
Do you do desserts?
We can add a dessert. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
Are the tapas fresh?
Yes, hot dishes are finished at the venue.
How much space do you need?
Less than you might think: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a photo.
Where do you cater?
We cover London and the South East, including the Isle of Wight. See all areas.
The process
The paella is cooked in huge, shallow pans over gas burners. We need a level, ventilated spot, and we agree where that is before the day. At midsummer, it’s light in Shorwell until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Getting ready for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
Ask for a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Read more
Where we can cook in Shorwell
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- A spot for our serving station
- Venue approval for outside catering
For somewhere as remote as Shorwell, early notice helps us plan the trip.
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Popular choices
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
Planning for every diet
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Here’s how:
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Canapés need staff to serve
Table tapas are set down to share.
Waiting staff for canapés.
Nearby places to Shorwell
Also in Shorwell
Who books tapas catering in Shorwell?
Big or small, tapas work.
Whatever you’re celebrating in Shorwell, live paella can be the centrepiece. We often cook for:
- Engagement parties
- Tapas starters
- Anniversary parties
- Sharing boards for evening guests
Historic buildings near Shorwell often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
What to look for in a quote
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Whether travel is included
- The deadline for final numbers
- If the price includes VAT
- 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