Isle of Wight · England
Tapas Catering in Ventnor
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Ventnor and the surrounding area.
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Sharing tapas starters
- Launches and office parties
Live tapas catering in Ventnor
Before you choose a spot
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Parking near the venue
- Venue approval for outside catering
- Room for a tapas table
For somewhere as remote as Ventnor, early notice helps us plan the trip.
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
What we offer
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
About our tapas catering in Ventnor
Sangria and bar staff can be added, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. Typical bookings include evening sharing boards and tapas before paella, serving Manchego with membrillo, patatas bravas and padrón peppers.
In Ventnor, tapas work at home or in a local hall. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
- Where
- Ventnor (PO38)
- Area hub
- Isle of Wight
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Also in Ventnor
Perfect for your event in Ventnor
They make a perfect starter before paella.
Big or small, live paella works well. Common bookings include:
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Drinks reception canapés
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Launches and office parties
Guests travelling by rail: Shanklin station is about 3 miles away.
Before booking anyone
- How each diet is kept separate
- When payment is due
- How late numbers can change
- Exactly what’s included in the price
About the dishes
Croquetas
Creamy croquettes with a crisp coat, frequently with ham or mushroom.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette served in wedges or squares.
Catering for every guest
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Ensure dishes are labelled
Each dish is labelled.
Bar staff and sangria.
Tapas for events in Ventnor
Ventnor is about 8 miles south-east of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. Whether your event is in the middle of Ventnor or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Ventnor is one of 125 places in the Isle of Wight we cover. Our events stretch from Ventnor to Southampton (about 24 miles away).
Historic houses near Ventnor include Rylstone Manor (2.6 miles north-east) and Haseley Manor (5 miles north). 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 St Catherine's Church. With the sea within about a mile, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Tapas catering in PO38 is planned around your venue and your guests. Your event could be at a home on Old Station Road, Market Street and High Street or the roads around them. Ventnor is on the A3055 and B3327, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. Other places close to Ventnor for tapas catering include Steephill (1 mile south-west), Bonchurch (1 mile east), St Lawrence (1 mile west), Wroxall (2 miles north) and Luccombe Village (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cater in Newport (8 miles north-west), Ryde (9 miles north), Cowes (12 miles north), Sandown (5 miles north-east), Shanklin (3 miles north-east) and East Cowes (11 miles north). Ventnor is one of the larger places we cover in the Isle of Wight, with plenty of venues for events. For an event at a remote venue, tell us early so we can plan the journey.
Nearby you will also find Longshoremans Museum (within half a mile south) and South Wight (0.5 miles north-east). Open spaces near Ventnor include Alverstone Mead and St Boniface Down.
- Schools near Ventnor include St Francis Catholic and Church of England Primary Academy (0.5 miles north-west) and The Island Free School (0.5 miles north-west)
- Pubs nearby include The Blenheim pub (less than half a mile east)
Ventnor: your questions answered
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Catherine's Church?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Which station should guests use for Ventnor?
The closest is Shanklin station, roughly 3 miles away.
Do we need staff for canapés?
We can provide staff. Canapés need staff to serve.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Plenty are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers. Each dish is labelled.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Absolutely.
How many different paellas?
Most events have two or three: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We’ll suggest a split based on your guests.
Do you come to Ventnor?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Ventnor and across the Isle of Wight. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
For event organisers in Ventnor
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
What tapas catering costs
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Timings and hours
- Distance and access to the venue
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- How many staff you need
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Getting an accurate quote
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Where the event is
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Expected numbers
- The courses you’d like
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
What happens on the day
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you’re free to enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first while the paella cooks. Sunset in Ventnor is around 9:20pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
Before we arrive
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
Getting a price
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Ventnor? Send us the details and we’ll come back with ideas and a quote. To contact us, fill in our quote form.
Read more
- 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