Is the Way We Eat on Holiday Changing in Lanzarote?

After years of seeing holidaymakers head out for dinner every evening, Nerina Howell of Event & Catering Solutions Lanzarote says she is noticing a growing appetite for something different: staying in, slowing down and letting dinner come to the villa. And this summer, husband Matt has unexpectedly become part of the picture too.

I’ve been noticing a change in the way some families are choosing to eat while on holiday in Lanzarote.

For years, going out for dinner every evening has simply been part of the holiday routine. But increasingly, through my work as a private chef, I’m finding families choosing to spend their evenings at their villa instead.

And actually, I can understand why.

You’ve spent the day exploring the island, swimming, relaxing by the pool or enjoying the beach. You come home, kick off your shoes, pour yourself a cold drink and watch the sun go down from the terrace. Instead of getting everyone dressed and organised to go back out, dinner comes to you.

This year, I’ve increasingly found myself cooking for families over several days of their holiday rather than simply arriving for one special evening. It creates a completely different style of private dining.

One evening might be Spanish tapas to share. Another could be a relaxed Mediterranean dinner with salads, grilled fish and local produce. There might be a BBQ around the pool, an easy family supper after a long day out, or a three-course dinner with dessert and wine on the terrace.

Different menus, different styles and a different kind of evening whenever you want one.

At Event & Catering Solutions Lanzarote, I can tailor the experience around the people sitting around the table, including children, grandparents and dietary requirements. It can be as relaxed as you like; nobody needs to dress up or worry about getting everyone out of the door.

I take care of sourcing the ingredients, preparing and serving the food, and clearing the kitchen afterwards, leaving families free to spend the evening together.

For larger groups, this can also make things considerably easier. There are no taxis to organise, no table to find that can accommodate everyone and no need to wonder whether tired children will make it through dinner. You can simply stay in the villa you’ve chosen for your holiday and enjoy it.

I’ve been cooking professionally for more than 25 years, from luxury estates in the UK to sailing boats in the Mediterranean and beyond. Food has taken me around the world, but Lanzarote is now home, and Mediterranean and Canarian flavours are at the heart of what I cook.

Having provided this style of service to families over the summer, I’m now receiving more enquiries and bookings for 2027.

So perhaps the way we eat on holiday really is changing.

Bookings are already underway for 2027.

Email: nerinahowell@gmail.com
Phone: 0034 711 065 993
Website: www.eventandcateringsolutionslanzarote.com

And finally, a little P.S. from me…

Following my scheduled surgery this summer, my recovery hasn’t been quite as straightforward as we’d hoped, and Matt has spent rather more time than anticipated being my chauffeur, carer, nurse, medical appointments manager, personal shopper and chef!

I’m incredibly grateful to him, although it has meant some of his own electrical work has had to take a back seat while he helped me get back on my feet.

Now, my recovery is finally going in the right direction, so Matt has some availability for electrical work this autumn. After everything he’s done for me, I thought it was only fair that I give my electrician husband a little plug for once!

If you’ve got electrical work, repairs or one of those smaller jobs you’ve been meaning to get sorted, please get in touch and I’ll happily pass his details on.

Thank you, Matt. I couldn’t have managed these last few weeks without you.

Due to high demand, his schedule for planned work is booking into 2026 & 2027. For trusted electrical care, contact him via WhatsApp at +34 711 008 502.