Reading · England
Film Set Catering in Arborfield Cross
Film set catering in Arborfield Cross: cod, haddock and chips fried to order, then handed over hot from the hatch at the time you choose.
- Lunch at the unit base
- Stills shoots
- Outside broadcasts
A chip van near Arborfield Cross
How the day works
Rain does not stop the fryers, because the cooking happens inside the van. Crew will still appreciate a bit of cover near the hatch. On a winter shoot near Arborfield Cross, the light goes by about 3:55pm, so a late lunch or wrap at base needs lighting. Summer shoots have daylight until about 9:25pm.
- The production office sends us the location, dates, numbers and lunch time.
- You get an access check and a quote.
- We arrange the van’s spot at the unit base with locations.
- We set up at the unit base and fry to order for the lunch break.
- We clear up and get out of the way.
Getting ready for the day
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Confirm the van is allowed on site
- Pick a flat, firm place for the van to park
Ask for a quote
The quickest way to a quote is to use our quote form. Give us the details of your shoot, and we’ll come back with availability and a quote.
Planning help
How our film set catering works in Arborfield Cross
On a long job, a chip van day is a morale boost, alongside regular catering. For commercials and music videos and outside broadcasts, we can cook sausage and chips, haddock and chips and cod and chips and more.
Near Arborfield Cross, crews may be miles from anywhere to eat, so lunch at base matters. Everything is fried fresh at your shoot, not cooked earlier and kept warm, and handed over as soon as it’s ready.
Places near Arborfield Cross
More for events in Arborfield Cross
Planning a shoot in Arborfield Cross
Arborfield Cross is about 3 miles south-west of Wokingham, in Reading. For shoots in Arborfield Cross, we plan around your venue and timings: a clear quote, an agreed spot for the van and food fried fresh on the day. Arborfield Cross is one of 34 towns and villages in Reading where we bring the van.
For crew arriving by train, Winnersh station is about 2.7 miles away.
We cover shoots in every part of RG2. That could mean a shoot at a home on Eversley Road, Chamberlain Gardens and Melrose Gardens or the roads around them, as long as there’s somewhere for the van. Nearby, we also serve shoots in Farley Hill (2 miles south), Swallowfield (3 miles south-west), Spencers Wood (3 miles west), Riseley (3 miles south-west) and Bramshill (4 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Caversham (6 miles north-west), Norcot (7 miles north-west), West Reading (6 miles north-west), Tilehurst Within (7 miles north-west), Caversham Heights (7 miles north-west) and Horncastle (6 miles north-west).
A little further out are Beaumys Castle (3.5 miles south-west) and Berkshire Library & Museum of Freemasonry (2 miles north). Green spaces nearby include South Lake and The Marshes Local Nature Reserve.
- Local schools include Bohunt School Wokingham (1.3 miles south)
- Pubs nearby include Swan Inn (under half a mile north)
Diets, allergies and planning
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Have a back-up for special diets
- Update numbers if they change
- Put allergy details in writing
- Give us a map or what3words for base
After service, we pack up and get out of the way.
Tables or a marquee at base make lunch comfortable.
Space, access and the venue
Most drives, car parks, yards and firm lawns can take the van, but a few things matter:
- Level, firm ground at base
- Agreement from the location manager and landowner
- Clear of the shot and sound
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and the way in, and we will say what we think.
From the hatch
- Haddock and chips
- Cod and chips
- Mushy peas
- Sausage and chips
- Crew lunches
- Pie and chips
DIY versus a fish and chip van
Some hosts try a takeaway order. The problem is timing: big orders take a long time, and the food is cooling while it travels. A van solves that by cooking on site.
You could do a chip-shop run for everyone yourself, but it rarely works for a crowd. By the time you’ve queued, paid and driven back, the batter has gone soft. With a van, it’s fried on the spot.
Why fried-to-order beats a buffet
A wrap party at a venue costs more. A van makes a relaxed wrap. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll suggest a menu and timing to match. Keeping the menu short is generally the best value.
Why Arborfield Cross hosts choose us
- All the chip-shop extras
- Cod, haddock, sausages and pies
- Rain doesn’t stop the fryers
- A van that becomes part of the event
Take a look at our pricing or our guide to van hire costs.
Why choose film set catering in Arborfield Cross?
Crews love a chip van day.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Event crews
- Seaside shoots
- Commercials and music videos
- Fashion shoots on location
Arborfield Cross is about 36 miles from central London.
Before booking anyone
- The minimum number of meals or minimum spend
- The deadline for final numbers
- Allergen information for each item
- How many hours the van serves
Food your guests will love
Cod and chips
For many people, cod and chips is the definitive version. Cooked fresh at the hatch, it is hot, crisp and generous.
Haddock and chips
Haddock has a slightly sweeter flavour and a firmer flake. In the north and in Scotland, haddock is the classic.
Common questions in Arborfield Cross
Is Arborfield Cross close to London?
Roughly 36 miles from the centre of London.
Which station is closest to Arborfield Cross?
The closest is Winnersh station, roughly 2.7 miles away.
What can crew choose from?
Proper fish and chips, plus sausage or pie and chips. Mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy go on the side.
Where do you take the van?
We cover London and the South East, Reading included. Find your area.
What if lunch moves?
Yes. Give us a contact for changes, and we’ll adjust where possible.
Do we need to provide equipment?
All the cooking happens in the van. Tell us about power, water and bins at the site.
What will the production need?
Productions vary, so send us the list.
Who clears up?
We take the van and everything with it, and leave the spot tidy. It helps to have bins near the hatch.
What a fish and chip van costs
The price comes down to a few factors:
- The date and time of year
- Your choice of menu
- Parking and the way in
- Service time
Distance and any road charges make a difference, so tell us exactly where your shoot is.
What to tell us
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- Rough numbers for adults and children
- A picture of where the van would go
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Access details such as gates and narrow lanes
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: where the van would park, how to get in, numbers and timings. Photos of the spot and the way in help. To send your details, use our quote form.
- Fried fresh to order in the van at your event
- Cod, haddock and chips, sausages and pies
- The van comes to you: homes, venues, workplaces and fields
- Served at the time you choose, from the hatch