From family gatherings and milestone anniversaries to birthday surprises, Nerina Howell of Event & Catering Solutions Lanzarote shares how good food and personal service help bring people together.
There are occasions that deserve a little more than the ordinary. For Nerina, helping people celebrate these moments through food is at the heart of her work. Having catered for gatherings of all kinds across the island, she believes that a memorable occasion is as much about the people around the table as it is about what is being served.
A significant birthday. An anniversary worth celebrating. A long-awaited reunion with family and friends. Or simply the pleasure of bringing your favourite people together, with no particular reason other than enjoying each other’s company.
Lanzarote provides a lovely setting for all of them.
Imagine an evening on the terrace of your private villa. The last of the afternoon sunshine, glasses being raised, conversation flowing and the aromas of freshly prepared Mediterranean food drifting from the kitchen.
The menu is planned around your guests, your favourite dishes and the atmosphere you want to create. There is no need to watch the clock or spend the evening in the kitchen. Instead, you can enjoy the occasion as it unfolds.
A year of celebrations, each with its own story
Over the past year, I’ve had the pleasure of catering for a variety of occasions across Lanzarote, from family gatherings during holidays to milestone celebrations and evenings spent with friends.
I’ve spent more than 25 years cooking professionally, from luxury estates in the UK to sailing boats in the Mediterranean and beyond. Food has taken me around the world, but my heart and my kitchen are firmly in Lanzarote, where I live with my husband, Matt, and our two cats.
Over the years, I’ve cooked for a wide range of people and occasions, from corporate clients and yacht owners to wedding parties and groups celebrating together on holiday. Every experience has shaped my approach to cooking and reinforced what I enjoy most about the job: bringing people together over good food.
As the year has progressed, I’ve also noticed a change in the way some guests choose to book. Rather than arranging catering for just one celebratory meal, more people have been booking me for a few days or even the whole week. It means I can help take care of the cooking throughout their stay, whether they’re enjoying a family holiday, spending time with friends or marking a special occasion.
Each booking has its own story, and hearing from clients afterwards is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
In October 2026, I catered for a celebration attended by 25 guests. The client, Mike, described the catering as “absolutely faultless” and said the food had “just made the party”.
Earlier in the year, I prepared a meal for Helen and her family while they were on holiday in Lanzarote. Her feedback captured what I hope to bring to every gathering:
“As a family, we have never experienced such amazing food, made with pure heart and skill.”
In February, I also catered for a group of friends on holiday, preparing a surprise birthday dinner for Dee. The birthday girl and the rest of the group said they were blown away by how fresh and colourful the food was, and how lovely everything tasted compared with what they were used to in the UK.
In July, I had the pleasure of catering for Kevin and Claudine’s 50th wedding anniversary, another occasion centred on bringing family and friends together to mark an important milestone.
In May 2026, Lisa booked me to cater for a private dinner at their villa following their wedding. She shared this feedback about the experience:
“We booked Nerina for our private dinner at our villa after our wedding, from start to finish she couldn’t of been more helpful and professional. She tailored a menu that suited us and the food and presentation was absolutely beautiful and delicious. Would highly recommend Nerina and her team.”
These are just some of the occasions that have made the past year so enjoyable. Every gathering is different, and I love working with clients to create menus that suit their tastes, their guests and the reason for celebrating.
The pleasure of being a guest at your own celebration
One of the greatest pleasures of entertaining is seeing everyone enjoying themselves. Yet the person who has brought everyone together often spends much of the occasion preparing food, serving guests and worrying about the details.
Having a private chef can take much of that work off your hands.
My role is to help you plan a menu that suits your tastes and the occasion, prepare and serve the food in your villa, holiday accommodation or chosen venue, and take care of the clear-up afterwards. That means collecting and washing plates, cutlery and glasses, bagging up waste and removing it from the venue.
The aim is simple: to give you more time to enjoy the company of your guests.
And it’s not just about celebrations. For those visiting Lanzarote on holiday, having someone else take care of the cooking can make a real difference to how much time there is to relax and enjoy the island. Another one of my clients, Dani summed it up beautifully when she said that I’d “given her holiday back to her”, by saving her time in the kitchen so she could spend more of it enjoying her holiday.
Whether you fancy a colourful selection of Spanish and Mediterranean tapas, a relaxed barbecue beneath the Lanzarote skies or a generous sharing feast, I can tailor the menu to your occasion and budget.
I favour fresh, locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, drawing inspiration from the flavours of the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. Menus can also take account of dietary requirements, helping ensure everyone around the table feels included.
From intimate dinners to larger celebrations, I can cater for groups of between four and 50 guests.
Good food, friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere are what I aim to provide. Sometimes, the simplest pleasures are the ones people remember most.
Looking ahead to the festive season and 2027
As December approaches, thoughts naturally turn to festive gatherings, family celebrations and the opportunities that a new year brings.
Perhaps 2027 holds a special anniversary, a milestone birthday, a family holiday or a reunion that has been talked about for years.
Whatever the occasion, planning ahead gives us time to discuss your ideas, refine the menu and consider the personal touches that will make the gathering feel like yours.
One of the most important first steps is to secure your date. Knowing your private chef booking is confirmed means you can tick a major item off your planning list and look forward to your event with greater peace of mind. You don’t need to have every detail decided straight away. Once your date is secured, there’s time to work together on the menu, drinks and any personal touches you’d like to include.
Popular dates, particularly weekends and peak holiday periods, can book up months in advance. If you already know when you’re coming to Lanzarote or have a special occasion planned for 2027, getting in touch early gives you the best opportunity to secure your preferred date. Leaving it until the last minute may mean your chosen date is no longer.
If you’re planning a celebration in Lanzarote and would like to explore the idea of a private chef, I’d be happy to hear from you.
Get in touch to discuss your plans and save your date. Once your booking is confirmed, you can concentrate on looking forward to spending time with your guests, while I take care of the food.
Save The Date!
The diary is filling up fast with 2026 almost fully booked, and popular dates being taken in 2027 & even 2028. I always recommend booking early, especially for weekends and popular dates, as menus can be refined together afterwards and tailored to suit your guests, dietary requirements and budget.
Follow The Chef!
“Over on Facebook I share the stories that don’t always make it into print. The little moments from villa kitchens, recipes, chef’s tips and the occasional kitchen disaster!”
Follow along with Nerina’s adventures: Event & Catering Solutions Lanzarote
Looking Ahead To 2027…
My private-chef diary is already filling earlier than ever but there’s something else cooking too. Next year I’ll be launching Chef to Private Chef, drawing on my years in professional kitchens, events and private households to help experienced chefs make the move into private-chef work.
Contact Nerina
Email: nerinahowell@gmail.com
Phone: 0034 711 065 993
Website: www.eventandcateringsolutionslanzarote.com
I cook so you don’t have to.
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