One of the best things about living and cooking on the Costa del Sol is the abundance of incredible fresh produce. Marbella is surrounded by small farms, family-run orchards, suppliers, and growers who have been tending the land for generations. And for us at Sana Catering, we believe that using locally grown ingredients is the most natural and delicious way to cook.
When we design menus for weddings, private events, and villa celebrations, we start with what’s in season here on the Costa del Sol. The ingredients guide us – and the result is food that feels vibrant, flavourful, and connected to the region.
Here are just a few of the local ingredients that inspire our catering, and how we use them to create dishes that feel fresh, honest, and full of Andalusian character.
The Tomatoes That Taste Like Sunshine
There’s a moment every summer when local tomatoes reach their peak. Deep red, sweet, full of flavour – it’s the kind of ingredient that needs very little doing to it. We use them in everything from salads to gazpacho-style canapés, or sliced thickly with olive oil and flaky sea salt.
When you taste a tomato grown just inland from Marbella, you understand why we rely so heavily on local produce. They simply taste better!
Citrus From Local Orchards
The nearby valleys are filled with lemon and orange trees, and their fragrance is unmistakable. We use citrus in marinades, dressings, cakes, cocktails, and even in our vegan menus to add freshness without overpowering the dish.
Local lemons and oranges brighten everything they touch, and they bring a little bit of southern Spain into every bite.
Avocados and Mangos From the Axarquía
The Axarquía region, just along the coast, has the perfect microclimate for avocados and mangos. They’re grown almost year-round and arrive with a richness and sweetness that supermarket fruit can’t match.
We use them in summer salads, canapés, plant-based dishes, and desserts – always letting their natural flavour shine.
Olive Oil: A Staple in Andalucía
Good olive oil is the foundation of so much of our food. We use oils pressed locally, chosen for their depth and balance. Sometimes it’s the star of a dish – drizzled over roasted vegetables or fresh bread – and other times it exists quietly in the background, tying everything together.
Either way, it’s a non-negotiable part of our kitchen.
Seasonal Vegetables From Local Growers
Aubergines, courgettes, peppers, spinach, squash – what’s in season shapes what we cook. Our menus are never static; they change with the months, which keeps our food exciting and naturally sustainable.
Cooking this way means the ingredients come first, and we simply build the dish around them.
Why Local Ingredients Matter For Our Catering
Choosing local ingredients keeps our menus grounded in the place you’ve chosen for your celebration. Whether it’s a wedding, a private villa party, or a long lunch with friends, we want the food to feel fresh, thoughtful, and true to the area.
Using local produce also helps us:
- support small growers and businesses
- reduce transport and waste
- cook with the seasons
- design menus that feel authentic
And most importantly, it gives our guests food that feels alive and full of personality.
Creating Menus That Feel Personal
When we plan your event, we take the time to understand what you love – the styles, flavours, and experiences that make food memorable for you. Then we combine that with the best ingredients available locally at that time of year.
That’s how we strike the balance between thoughtful, down-to-earth cooking and the fresh, sunny flavours that define Marbella and the Costa del Sol.
Let’s Create Something Delicious Together
If you’d like your wedding or event menu to feel fresh, colourful, and full of local flavour, we’d love to cook for you. Tell us a bit about your celebration, and we’ll design a menu just for you.
Get in touch with Sana Catering and let’s make your event feel as special (and as delicious) as the place you’ve chosen to host it.