BBQ Caterers in Tonbridge
Smoky, Slow-Cooked Food from Friendly BBQ Caterers Tonbridge Trusts
Picture a summer evening in Tonbridge, the grill ticking over, a bit of smoke drifting across the garden and your guests wandering back for seconds. That’s the sort of scene we set out to create at Barbecues with Relish. We’ve spent years getting our slow-cooked meats, homemade rubs and relaxed style of service just right, and we still enjoy it as much as we did on day one.
Our grills have been lit at birthday parties, weddings, staff summer socials and school fundraisers in Tonbridge, Hildenborough, Hadlow and the villages in between. No two bookings ever look alike, which keeps us on our toes. Every menu starts with good seasonal produce and careful preparation, then finishes with the kind of smoky flavour people tend to remember.
What sets us apart? Mostly our refusal to cut corners. A fresh salad gets as much thought from us as a rack of ribs, and nothing reaches the serving table until we’re happy with it. Rubs are mixed in-house, meats are cooked low and slow, and the sides are there to be eaten, not to fill space.
Feeding Tonbridge and West Kent Since 1983
More than forty years have passed since we cooked our first event, and we still find that number a little hard to believe. A small local business back then, we’re now among the BBQ Caterers Tonbridge families and firms call on for the days that really count, from weddings and company parties to big birthdays and anniversaries.
People tend to rebook us for three reasons. We turn up when we say we will, we run things professionally, and we genuinely love cooking. It doesn’t matter if we’re feeding a handful of relatives or a whole workforce. You get the same skill and effort, and your guests go home talking about the food.
You won’t find us leaving a stack of foil trays on a table and driving off. Each menu is planned with care, each dish is cooked fresh on the day, and each event gets our full attention, whether there are 30 guests or a couple of thousand.
What Makes Our Tonbridge Barbecue Team Different
Menus Planned Around You
Every event has its own feel, so we build your menu around the food you like, the style of the day and any dietary needs your guests have. It works just as well for a June wedding as it does for a December office lunch.
Great Ingredients, Every Time
Good barbecue depends on what goes on the grill. We choose quality cuts and fresh produce from nearby suppliers wherever we can, and we never take shortcuts with any of it.
Complete, Worry-Free Service
We don't do things halfway. Sourcing, prep, cooking, serving and clearing away are all covered by our team, using professional equipment, so you can relax from the first call to the final plate.
Events Big and Small
Twenty guests in a back garden or several hundred in a marquee, we treat every booking with the same care and the same attention to detail.
We Know the Area
After four decades of cooking across Kent, we know the area, its venues and the sort of food local guests enjoy. That knowledge helps us make each event feel personal rather than generic.
A Team You Can Rely On
Plenty of our customers see us as the BBQ Caterers Tonbridge can depend on, thanks to tasty food, calm and organised service and a friendly team that keeps them coming back year after year.
How We Put Together a Great Tonbridge Barbecue
Every booking with Barbecues with Relish starts from the same place: a love of good food and good company. We plan the whole day around taste, atmosphere and the small touches that often get missed, which is a big reason local hosts keep returning to us.
Our crew pairs fresh ideas with a professional way of working, from lighting the coals to clearing the last plates. You’ll see a relaxed, easy service on the day, even though plenty is happening behind the scenes. Each dish is made from fresh ingredients using methods we’ve refined over many years.
Catering That Fits Your Day
No two celebrations are the same, so we never work from a set template. Whether it’s a wedding, a family milestone or a large corporate event, we’ll put together a menu that suits your style.
Full-Service Catering
We handle setting up, serving and packing away, so you can spend the day with your guests instead of in the kitchen.
Dry Hire Options
Prefer to take charge of the cooking? Hire our professional barbecue equipment and create your own spread, at your own pace.
Quality Comes First
We’ve always been choosy about ingredients. Fresh local produce, careful preparation and real attention on every plate we serve. It’s a standard we simply won’t drop.
Good Food, Good Company
Great food is a huge part of what we do, but it isn’t the whole story. From a small garden party to a busy community fete, we aim to create a friendly, easy-going atmosphere where people can relax, eat well and enjoy each other’s company.
Decades of Flavour and Hospitality in Tonbridge
Our story began many years ago under the name Christopher Anthony Catering, and over time we became Barbecues with Relish, a name that’s now closely linked with outdoor dining in this part of Kent. Through our barbecue service and Relish Equipment Hire, we look after couples, families and businesses who value a team that pays attention to the little things.
Whatever you’re planning, be it a wedding, a private party or a corporate day, we bring guests together with flavourful food and plenty of personality. That’s what hiring good BBQ Caterers Tonbridge should feel like.
Wedding Food Your Guests Will Talk About
Your wedding should reflect the two of you, and the food is a big part of that. We serve generous, delicious dishes with a warm and relaxed approach instead of stiff formality. Think classic smoky barbecue with a few modern touches, built into a menu your guests will remember long after the last dance.
Because every couple has different tastes, every wedding menu we create is different too. A casual garden reception or a more polished affair, we’ll design it around your theme and any dietary requirements, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Our team looks after everything from the early planning stages to the final course, so you can enjoy the day without worrying about the catering. That care and attention is why so many couples pass our name on to friends.
Private Parties Full of Character
Big birthday, anniversary or family reunion, we’ll help you make it a day to remember. Choose us as your BBQ Caterers Tonbridge and your party menu will be built around you, whether you’re after a quiet afternoon in the garden or a lively evening do.
Expect flame-grilled classics, sticky ribs and some inventive vegetarian options alongside. Every plate is fresh and nicely presented, and we’ve got a good knack for getting a party going.
We set up, serve and tidy away, leaving you free to relax and enjoy your own party. Your guests are well looked after from start to finish.
Corporate Barbecues with a Difference
Good food can completely change the feel of a work event. Whether it’s a team day out, a networking evening or a company summer party, our corporate barbecue catering combines a professional approach with food people genuinely enjoy.
We’ll build a flexible plan around your goals, from a smart plated meal to an interactive live barbecue station. Our chefs know their craft and cook with quality ingredients, while our events team keeps everything running smoothly in the background.
Clear communication and careful planning mean we take care of the details, leaving you to focus on your guests and your business. Companies in and around Tonbridge rely on us for dependable service and food they don’t have to think twice about.
Ready to Plan Something Special?
Choosing Barbecues with Relish means working with an experienced team with a strong record across weddings, private parties and corporate events. Expect bold flavours, reliable service and a warm welcome at every booking, not just now and again.
From your first enquiry to the final pack-down, we take care of every detail, so your attention can stay on your guests rather than the logistics.
Get in touch today to start planning your event. There’s a reason so many locals choose us as their BBQ Caterers Tonbridge, and we’d be glad to show you what we can do.
What people say about us
EXCELLENT
Based on 66 reviews
Posted on Google![]()
Tom TysonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Grace, Chris and the whole Relish staff were fabulous caterers for our wedding at Charlton House. They worked with us so constructively to plan out all the special details we wanted to incorporate, including adding Romanian food specialities in, that went down particularly well with our Romanian guests! They also adapted seamlessly when the wet weather arrived, ensuring that the day all went according to plan. The set-up and presentation of the tables was fantastic and all the food was superb, from canapes to the main meal and then the evening snacks.Posted on Google![]()
Karine RowanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We wanted to thank Grace and all the team at Relish for all their help in organising a special 75th Birthday BBQ which was held in our garden. Everything was great from day one , the organising…the delivery of equipment and gazebo to the collection of the same. The BBQ food was delicious and everyone commented on how good it tasted and there was more than sufficient provided. We have used Relish previously and are never disappointed. We look forward to working with them again.Posted on Google![]()
Peter BarvilleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Excellent food, and service. The team arrived as scheduled and were very friendly and helpful. We, and our guests, thought the food was outstandingly good and would certainly use their service again if the occasion were to arise. Tables and chairs etc were collected on the Monday morning, again with no problems. Thank you Relish once again.Posted on Google![]()
Jemma WilliamsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We have used Relish for our work summer BBQ for a number of years and they're amazing. Fantastic staff both on the day and at the point of booking. The food is delicious and plentiful! I would 100% recommend.Posted on Google![]()
Brenda SteelTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Grace was helpful from start to finish helping us choose the food we wanted. We received so many compliments on the food on the night from Chris and the team. Well done Relish. You helped make our wedding party a special night.Posted on Google![]()
Chris UnderwoodTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
The team were fantastic. All my guests enjoyed the great food and everyone was complimentary about the friendliness and professionalism of the team.Posted on Google![]()
Catherine JamesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
A big thank you to Relish and their wonderful staff. What a lovely afternoon we had in the Courtyard of Hall Place listening to some Soul music. A very professional event with lovely friendly staff. Thank you.Posted on Google![]()
ronald harperTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I recently booked the great hall at hall place to celebrate my wife’s eightieth birthday where the resident caterers are Relish, it doesn’t matter how good the venue is without good food and service a celebration may not turn out as good as you hoped. No need to worry with Relish every aspect of their service was first class, food, service, courtesy attention to detail all excellent, would have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone else Ron HarperPosted on Google![]()
Anna CowlingTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Relish catered our wedding at Court Lodge, Kent, in September 2023. They did a fabulous job both in the run up and on the day. The food was delicious - we had a variety of canapés, BBQ main and then Relish served pizza in the evening. Many of our guests commented on how welcoming and accommodating the serving team were. Thank you Grace, Chris and all of the Relish team, for being a part of our special day.Posted on Google![]()
Caron LinyardTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Our expectations were definitely exceeded. So many positive comments from our High Street Awards. Chris and Grace were professional from start to finish and a real pleasure to work with. The quality of the food and the service was outstanding. 186 guests served with a three course meal all served on time, hot and with outstanding presentation. We will definitely be using again. Thank you for helping to make our event happen Caron - Bexleyheath BID