Isle of Wight · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Upton, Isle of Wight
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Upton: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Anniversary parties
- Work receptions
- Engagement drinks
Planning an event in Upton?
How our tapas catering works in Upton
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, served while the paella cooks, but they work on their own too. We are often asked to cater office parties and launches and engagement celebrations, with tortilla española, Manchego with membrillo and croquetas.
Near Upton, tapas suit gardens, barns and marquees. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated.
- Location
- Upton (PO33)
- Area hub
- Isle of Wight
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
How the day works
We get there well before serving, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Your guests are welcome to watch while it cooks. Sunset in Upton is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We pack down when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
Ask for a quote
Send us the date, your venue or PO33 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and we will reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just use our quote form.
Related guides
More for events in Upton
Why choose tapas catering in Upton?
Tapas are sociable food.
Whatever the occasion, live paella can be the centrepiece. We regularly cater:
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Drinks reception canapés
- Table tapas as a starter
- Anniversary parties
Guests travelling by rail: Smallbrook Junction station is about 1.1 miles away.
What your quote should include
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- When final numbers are due
- Staff numbers and hours
- Whether VAT is included
How we price tapas catering
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- The number of people
- Waiting and bar staff
- How long we’re needed on site
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What to tell us
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Which courses you have in mind
- Roughly how many adults and children
To get a price, fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Before you choose a spot
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Room for a tapas table
- Access to unload near the serving area
For somewhere as remote as Upton, early notice helps us plan the trip.
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
On the menu in Upton
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
Receptions and parties in Upton
Upton is about 1 mile south-west of Ryde, in the Isle of Wight. For tapas catering in Upton, we plan around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. Upton is one of 125 places in the Isle of Wight we cover. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 17 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Nunwell House (2.2 miles south-east) and Morton Manor (3 miles south-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of St. Michael and All Angels. The coast is within about 2 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
This part of the Isle of Wight takes in PO33, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. From Stroud Wood Road, Upton Road and Carters Road or a nearby road, we will bring the pans to you. Nearby, we also cater events in Haylands (1 mile north-east), Binstead (1 mile north), Ryde (1 mile north-east), Oakfield (1 mile north-east) and Elmfield (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cater in Newport (5 miles west), Cowes (6 miles north-west), Sandown (4 miles south), Shanklin (6 miles south), Ventnor (8 miles south) and East Cowes (5 miles north-west). For an event at a remote venue, tell us early so we can plan the journey.
Well-known places in the area include Arthur Webster Memorial Hospital for Children (5.2 miles south) and Sandown Castle (4 miles south). The countryside around Upton includes Briddlesford Nature Reserve and Brading Down.
- Local schools include Ryde Academy (0.8 miles north) and Ryde School with Upper Chine (1.3 miles north-east)
A closer look at the menu
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free when made carefully.
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil.
For planners, venues and organisers
Organising a club, school or community event in Upton? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
If you are organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Why choose live paella in Upton?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel like a treat. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Why Upton hosts choose us
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Served hot, straight from the pan
Read How we price And The cost guide.
Questions from Upton
We are having a ceremony at Church of St. Michael and All Angels: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
What’s the nearest station to Upton for guests?
The closest is Smallbrook Junction station, roughly 1.1 miles away.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
When should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it’s short notice, it is worth asking.
Where do you cater?
We cover London and the South East, the Isle of Wight included. See all areas.
What does tapas catering cost?
We quote for each event, based on what you actually want. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas and we’ll reply with a price.
When do you arrive?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.
How many different paellas?
Usually two or three, so every guest has a choice. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we will suggest the mix.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Sangria and bar staff.
- 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