Standing Out From The Crowd: Meet Our NCASS Members

The UK street food scene is full of creativity, ambition and independent businesses doing things their own way. From plant-powered artisan pizza to authentic Spanish tapas and vibrant Indian street food, our members are proving that success starts with a clear vision, a passion for great food and the confidence to do something different.

In our latest Member Spotlight roundup, we revisit three businesses that have carved out their own place in the industry: Stone’s Throw Kitchen, Tapas Zampa and Bollywood Bites. Each has a distinctive identity, but their journeys share some important lessons about building a food business, connecting with customers and growing without losing sight of what makes you special.

Stone’s Throw Kitchen: Putting Plant-Powered Pizza First

For Stone’s Throw Kitchen, the mission was simple: prove that plant-based food can be just as exciting, indulgent and full of flavour as anything else on the menu.

Founded by George Coleman, the business began with a bright orange horsebox and a determination to bring high-quality vegan pizza to festival fields and events. Rather than treating plant-based options as an afterthought, Stone’s Throw built its identity around artisan techniques, proper fermentation, quality ingredients and inventive flavour combinations.

The journey hasn’t been without challenges. As a self-funded independent business, managing cash flow and the costs of larger events has required careful planning. The business has also had to find the right opportunities and partnerships to support its growth, including moving into a permanent kitchen to increase its capacity.

George’s experience is a reminder that staying true to your identity can be a powerful business decision. By focusing on quality and creating food that people genuinely enjoy, Stone’s Throw has attracted customers well beyond the vegan market.

Read the full Member Spotlight: Stone’s Throw Kitchen

Tapas Zampa: Bringing Spanish Food Culture to the Streets

For Adrian, founder of Tapas Zampa, food has always been about more than what’s on the plate. Inspired by Spanish food culture and the social experience of sharing tapas, he launched the business in 2023 to bring authentic Spanish flavours to the UK street food scene.

Since then, the business has grown from a passion project into a regular presence at a variety of venues and events. From local breweries and village pubs to the VIP Terrace at the British F1 at Silverstone, Tapas Zampa has shown how a distinctive concept can create opportunities in different settings. One standout booking saw the team cater for 1,500 guests at the Cambridge University May Ball.

The menu draws on traditional favourites and personal memories, including croquetas inspired by Adrian’s childhood in Getafe. Patatas bravas remain a popular choice, while the business’s approach to quality is summed up in Adrian’s own words: “We don’t do fast food, we do fantastic food as fast as we can.”

For anyone considering starting a food truck business, Adrian’s journey highlights the importance of consistency, resilience and genuinely caring about your customers — as well as being prepared for the hard work that comes with running your own operation.

Read the full Member Spotlight: Tapas Zampa

Bollywood Bites: Authentic Flavours, Big Ambitions

Founded by Nisha and Avneet, Bollywood Bites brings the vibrant flavours of Indian street food to festivals, corporate events and private celebrations across the UK.

Drawing on family recipes, professional culinary training and experiences of food culture in India, the founders identified an opportunity to offer fresh, authentic Indian street food with a gourmet twist. Their aim was to combine the energy and accessibility of Mumbai’s bustling food stalls with high-quality cooking and a memorable customer experience.

As the business has grown, one of its biggest challenges has been scaling up without losing the homemade quality that defines its food. Establishing a central preparation and café unit in Kings Langley has helped the team strengthen quality control, manage logistics and maintain consistency as they take on larger bookings.

Bollywood Bites also demonstrates the importance of building strong operational foundations alongside a great product. With a modern VW Crafter setup, a focus on compliance and multiple industry awards, the business has ambitious plans to expand its corporate and large-event catering while keeping its food accessible, vibrant and fun.

Nisha and Avneet’s journey shows how combining a clear brand identity with careful planning can help turn a passion for food into a business with room to grow.

Read the full Member Spotlight: Bollywood Bites

What Can Other Independent Caterers Learn?

Although these three businesses serve very different cuisines, their stories share some valuable lessons for anyone running or planning a food business.

• Find your point of difference. A clear concept helps customers understand what makes your business special, whether that’s plant-powered pizza, authentic Spanish tapas or gourmet Indian street food.
• Put quality first. Consistent food, carefully chosen ingredients and a commitment to your offering can help build a loyal customer base.
• Build the right foundations. From managing cash flow and planning for events to investing in preparation space and logistics, good operational decisions make growth more sustainable.
• Stay true to your vision. Growth doesn’t have to mean following every trend. Understanding your strengths and the customers you want to serve can help you make better decisions for your business.

Every independent catering business has its own story, and there’s no single route to success. But by learning from other operators, sharing experiences and making informed decisions, you can find new ways to develop your own business.

At NCASS, we’re proud to support independent caterers at every stage of their journey.

Want more inspiration? Explore our Member Spotlight stories and discover more of the people behind the UK’s independent catering scene.