Event And Catering Solutions Lanzarote

07/07/2026

We have amazingly tasty cherries here in Lanzarote available in the supermarkets at the moment 😋

04/07/2026

It's getting hot in here !! 🥵

01/07/2026

July Edition - Lanzarote Gazette Life available online

Checkout my recipe on Page 28 🧄🍤🍋 🥖🧈🌿

July 2026 Gazette is out now! 📣

As the summer holidays arrive, Lanzarote’s resorts are likely to start buzzing with holiday-makers and, especially, families with children.

It’s good to see kids in the resorts, and it’s something that the island has perhaps neglected in recent years, when Lanzarote’s tourism strategy has been to position itself as a destination for the more mature visitor.

That policy makes sense – family holidays are limited to about 12 weeks a year, but Lanzarote’s season lasts all year. Months like October and February are increasingly popular among visitors, few of whom will be bringing school-age children with them.

The island has focused on widening its appeal with attractions such as food fairs, endurance sporting events and hiking routes. These are all great, but they’re not likely to appeal to many children.

There are an increasing number of hotels in the resorts that prohibit kids, guaranteeing older tourists a stay that is less likely to be spoiled by the patter of tiny feet and the screams of tiny lungs, but this also makes sense – hotels that cater for children usually need to invest in facilities and activities that allow parents to take a well-earned break, and this isn’t cheap.

Then there’s cruise tourism, which is increasing every year. When a big ship is moored at Arrecife you’ll see plenty of curious, well-behaved cruise tourists on the island, but I can’t remember ever seeing any children get off a cruiser.

The ironic thing about this, of course, is that Lanzarote loves children. If you’ve raised a child here, you’ll know how they’re welcomed in almost any restaurant, at almost every event. It’s an island where complete strangers will stop to admire babies in prams, where children run wild at fiestas and play in the street.

Of course they can be annoying at times, but it’s also wonderful to see kids on the beaches, mucking around with sand, peering into rockpools and doing the beach things kids always do; let’s look forward to the presence of families and kids in the resorts, as they make memories that will last a lifetime, memories that have brought them back as adults over and over again.

28/06/2026

Sunday Confessions of This Private Chef…

A slightly longer confession than usual, as this will be my last one for a little while before a very busy summer season! 🔥

This week I seem to have spent more time with a pen, calculator and Excel spreadsheet than with a frying pan ✍️

The fun part of my job is always the food, the people and the events. This week, however, it's been end-of-quarter paperwork, tax returns, receipts, supplier planning, menu planning and plenty more besides... with just a little cooking squeezed in! 📚 📋👩‍🍳

Confession... once again I drove past some of Lanzarote's beautiful beaches on the way to events and various official appointments. I spend so much time driving past the sea that I rarely stop to enjoy it. Perhaps this week I'll take the long route to the communal recycling bins, park up and enjoy a ten-minute barefoot walk along the beach ⛱️ 🩴

A slightly sad confession this week too. I had several enquiries that I simply couldn't fit in. Summer and autumn now have very, very little availability, and we already have bookings not only for 2027 but even into 2028. There really are not enough days in the week ! 📆 📓

One question I'm asked almost every week is, "Do you actually live here?" Yes, I do. I first came to Lanzarote to work in 1992.

My career has since taken me to other islands, offshore into UK waters and across both the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Boats, cooking and the sea together are probably my idea of heaven ⛵🛥️👩‍🍳

Despite travelling, Lanzarote has always been home. My cat, however, definitely prefers solid ground... although he still occasionally tests a paw in the bathwater! 🛁 🐈

Food-wise, this week has been all about Mediterranean buffets for working lunches, breakfasts and brunches for holidaymakers, alongside final menu planning and ordering for an upcoming retreat. Every booking is different, and trying to meet everyone's tastes, dietary requirements and favourite dishes is all part of the challenge 🥪🫒🥗🥖

On a personal note, I finally received confirmation of my Hashimoto's disease diagnosis this week. Where I grew up this was known locally as Derbyshire neck so it's not a huge surprise, but having the confirmation means I must now manage it properly with the right medication, nutrition and exercise 🏋️‍♀️🏃‍♀️

We are really lucky on the island to have Mitch our Personal Trainer Lanzarote who works with people facing all kinds of health challenges, including members of our Parkinson's community so I look forward to continuing with my strength and flexibility training 💪

As the weight is always going to be harder to shift. If anything, this diagnosis has given me an even greater than before appreciation of the dietary requirements, allergies and medical needs my own clients trust me to cater for ✅

Local Lanzarote news... we have a yellow 🟨 warning for wind tomorrow 💨 so if you are here on holiday take care please! And enjoy your truly well deserved R and R 'life is for relaxing' sometimes too 🧘‍♀️

Have a great July and August, and spare a thought for all the chefs working in hot kitchens or standing beside sizzling BBQs ♨️ this summer.

I truly believe cheffing is a work of passion. Much like working with horses, you do it for the love of it... and you tend to think of little else 💕👩‍🍳

Much Love,

Private Chef Nerina 👩‍🍳

26/06/2026

21/06/2026

Sunday Confessions of a Private Chef
Episode 4

– What a week...

This week I seem to have been wearing more hats than usual.

Private chef, administrator, cleaner, laundry manager, shopping organiser, menu planner and occasional cat supervisor.

Matt is finally back at work, which is wonderful news. The only slight hiccup being that the van promptly decided it would quite like two new tyres.

Tigger has once again taken it upon himself to inspect the local vineyards and surrounding countryside. He continues to return home looking extremely pleased with himself, as though he's personally negotiated a new wine contract on behalf of the family.

I've also spent part of the week renewing my long-running battle with the Lanzarote wind. Anyone who has ever tried cooking on a BBQ outdoors on this island will understand. One minute everything is under control, the next minute you're chasing napkins, garnishes and your dignity across the garden.

Despite the wind doing its best to interfere, there is still something rather magical about cooking outdoors on a Lanzarote summer evening.

Friday was one of those days that seemed to start early and never really stop. A busy morning in the kitchen, followed by an afternoon looking after the apartment because our usual cleaner wasn't available this week, then home to cook dinner before finally putting my feet up with a well-earned glass of something cold and listen to Rhys Lloyd aka 'The Count' on our local Monster Radio Lanzarote

As for food, after spending my week feeding everyone else, one of my favourite meals was probably the simplest — a home-made burger that didn't stay on the plate long enough to be photographed.

It reminded me that food really is love made visible.

Now we're heading towards San Juan, the bonfires will soon be lit across Lanzarote, and if tradition says we're supposed to throw things into the fire that we want to leave behind...

I may need a slightly larger bonfire than most for paperwork, never-ending to-do lists and whatever keeps turning the water off in Puerto del Carmen.

On a more serious note, I've also found myself thinking about a couple of friends who are facing some health challenges at the moment.

Life has a way of reminding us that it is indeed for living, and that some things matter far more than paperwork, tyres, water cuts and to-do lists.

If you're going through a difficult time yourself, or supporting someone who is, I'm sending you my very best wishes.

So this week, more than ever, I'm reminded not to take the good days for granted.

Thank you, as always, for following along with my little corner of chef life.

Have a wonderful week ahead.

Nerina 👩‍🍳

14/06/2026

Confessions of a Private Chef – Part 3

Well, the secret is finally out, so I can officially wish Karen a very Happy Birthday! 🎂🥂

A huge thank you to her husband Chris from Uga for trusting me with the catering for her surprise celebration. It's always a privilege to be part of somebody's special day, especially when it's been planned in secret for months.

The buffet disappeared at an alarming rate. In fact, Chris had mentioned he was hoping for leftovers to take home afterwards. Unfortunately for Chris, the guests had other ideas! 🤭

And honestly, that's exactly how it should be.

The guests are everything. ❤️

One of my favourite moments wasn't during the event itself, but hearing afterwards that the food was "lush". Sometimes the simplest feedback means the most.

Away from the kitchen, I enjoyed a catch-up and shopping trip with the lovely Jackie Lee. What started as a quick errand soon became a hunt for tiny glass bottles for her wedding sand ceremonies. ⏳

I also had the pleasure of meeting some delightful clients from Jersey this week to chat through plans for their exciting event in November. We've been talking online and sketching ideas together since last year, so it was lovely to finally meet in person.

Meanwhile, in the world of Matt 🤠 we turned up for his 8pm hospital appointment only to discover it was actually booked for 8am. I'll leave you to imagine my face 🙄

On a more serious note, a huge thank you to the friends who have continued helping with lifts to hospital and doctor appointments when I couldn't get away because I was working. It really does remind you how lucky you are to have good people around you.

Tigger also had a trip to the vet this week. Getting him into the cat basket was considerably more difficult than filling dozens of crème brûlée shot glasses for the buffet🐈

I also managed to squeeze in a viewing of a house that rather caught my eye. Whether it's the one remains to be seen 🏡

As for me, I was all set for a little rest and recovery after my upcoming leg surgery, only to be told it has been postponed. So for now, life continues at full speed.

Between birthday buffets, house viewings, shopping adventures, vet visits and hospital appointments that weren't, life has certainly kept me on my toes this week 🏃‍♀️

Has life kept you on your toes this week?

Until next week...

Private Chef Nerina ❤️👩‍🍳

Private Chef Nerina- Private Villa Catering for holidays, special events, celebrations, for the days or nights you don't want to ! Cooking experiences, Tapas/BBQs., formal/ informal dinners, event, courses, retreat support, different style of buffets

14/06/2026

How amazing is this ??

Wishing our Lanzarote Referee the best of luck for the world cup games

LANZAROTE REFEREE AT THE WORLD CUP

The tiny Canarian Island of Lanzarote will be represented at the World Cup 2026 by local boy Alejandro Hernández who is Spain’s sole referee at the competition.

The 43-year-old was born in Arrecife and made his Primera Liga debut in 2012/13 and since then has gone from strength to strength officiating many El Clásico games between Real Madrid and Barcelona as well as huge profile Champions League matches and is widely regarded as one of the best referees in the world.

The Conejero (local lad) has already been to a World Cup when he was part of Spain´s VAR team back in 2022 and will definitely be the leading official at least at one match but probably more during the competition.

FIFA only announces referee’s appointments match by match but he has been confirmed as the fourth official in Scotland’s opening match versus Haiti early Sunday morning.

One set back he may have is that he cannot be involved in any of Spain’s matches or games that can affect Spain. If Spain were to go out of the competition early then he could go all the way to the final but that is extremely unlikely to happen. He also has the huge advantage of speaking Spanish, English and French fluently.

Alejandro on occasions referees some of Lanzarote´s pre season matches as a warm up to the season ahead.

Undoubtedly, he will be returning to the Island of the Volcanos after the World Cup to relax and prepare for the season ahead.

On behalf of everybody in Lanzarote and lovers of the island we wish you a successful and memorable World Cup Alejandro.