Buckinghamshire · England
Film and TV set catering in California, Buckinghamshire
Film set catering in California: cod, haddock and chips fried to order, then handed over hot from the hatch at the time you choose.
- Lunch at the unit base
- Location shoots
- Stills shoots
Film set catering in California
How our film set catering works in California
Everything is cooked as crew come up, so lunch is hot and fresh. Whether it’s unit base lunches and end-of-shoot parties, we can cook haddock and chips, sausage and chips and pie and chips for your guests.
Near California, base may be a field or yard. Your quote spells out what’s included: the date, the service time and the menu.
- Location
- California (HP21, HP20, HP19)
- Region
- Buckinghamshire
- Menu
- Cod and haddock, chips, sausages and pies
- On the side
- Gravy, mushy peas, curry sauce
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 24 October 2026
A chip van compared with other options
Ordering takeaway to a location is unreliable. A van cooks at the unit base. The cost per head typically falls as numbers rise, since the van and set-up are much the same for any size. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why book with us
- Mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy on the side
- Hot food handed straight over
- Everything cooked to order at your event
- A menu almost everyone likes
Take a look at our pricing or our guide to van hire costs.
What a fish and chip van costs
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- The length of service
- Cod, haddock or both
- Whether a minimum applies
- The number of meals
There is no one-size-fits-all price for a fish and chip van. A short service and a long afternoon’s trading are very different bookings. We set everything out in your quote.
Getting an accurate quote
For a quote, it helps to have:
- The date and time of the event
- Where you’d like the van to go
- Anything awkward about the way in
- The venue or postcode
Not sure of numbers yet? That’s fine: give us a rough idea and the date, and we will quote on that. Start when you’re ready: fill in our quote form.
Who books film set catering in California?
Productions book a chip van because crews love it, especially on long shoots.
These are some of the bookings we take in California and Buckinghamshire:
- Wrap parties
- Live events and broadcasts
- Seaside and period locations
- Ad shoots
Crew coming by rail can use the station: Aylesbury station serves California directly.
Questions to ask before you book
- What happens if plans change
- The minimum number of meals or minimum spend
- A clear list of what’s included
- How late numbers can change
Organising for someone else?
For repeat bookings, such as regular staff lunches or annual fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Parks, greens and streets usually need permission for a catering van. Ask the council or landowner early.
Your questions about a fish and chip van for the crew in California
Do you come to venues in the Chilterns National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules for vehicles; ask your venue. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
What’s the nearest station to California?
Aylesbury station, in California itself.
What’s on the menu?
The classics: cod or haddock and chips, sausages and pies, plus mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy. See the menu.
How much does a fish and chip van for the crew cost in California?
We quote for each booking, based on your numbers and timings. Tell us your date and rough numbers and we’ll reply with a price.
Is there something for children?
Of course. Children usually love sausage and chips. Include children in your numbers.
What if the weather’s bad?
We carry on in the rain, because the cooking happens inside. Soft ground after heavy rain is the bigger issue, so have a hard-surface spot in mind.
Do you have documents for productions?
Send us your supplier requirements.
Is the fish gluten-free?
Standard batter is made with wheat flour, so battered fish contains gluten. Tell us about coeliac crew when you enquire, and we’ll tell you honestly what we can offer.
Food your guests will love
Mushy peas
Mushy peas are a must for plenty of fish and chip fans.
Curry sauce
Chip-shop curry sauce is a mild, slightly sweet British classic, perfect with chips or a sausage.
Cannot we just order from the chip shop?
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.
Ordering from a local shop? Call ahead and collect at the last minute. For anything more than a handful of people, a van is typically the easier option.
Shooting in California: unit bases and access
California is about 1 mile south of Aylesbury, in Buckinghamshire. We park up at drives, car parks, yards and venues around California. California is one of 263 towns and villages in Buckinghamshire we cover. You can also see our page for Milton Keynes, about 16 miles away.
California is on or near the A41 and A418, good for unit base access. California is about 38 miles from central London. California is within about 5 miles of the Chilterns National Landscape, and locations in protected landscapes often have rules about vehicles.
We cover shoots in every part of the HP21, HP20 and HP19 postcode area. That could mean a shoot at a home on Lee Road, Penn Road and Eaton Road, as long as there is somewhere for the van. With the A41 and A418 close by, California is easy for us to reach with the van. Nearby, we also serve shoots in Aylesbury (1 mile north), Walton (1 mile east), Queens Park (1 mile east), Southcourt (1 mile south) and New Zealand (1 mile north). We also serve nearby towns such as High Wycombe (13 miles south), Chesham (11 miles south-east), Buckingham (15 miles north-west), Amersham (13 miles south-east), Princes Risborough (6 miles south) and Haddenham (6 miles south-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Friars Square (less than half a mile north-east) and Dinton Castle (3.4 miles west). Within reach you will find Beacon Hill.
- Local schools include Buckinghamshire UTC (under half a mile west) and Pebble Brook School (less than half a mile west)
- Nearby, you will find King's Head Inn (less than half a mile north-east)
Nearby places to California
What else we do in California
Diets, allergies and planning
A little planning makes sure everyone is looked after. Here’s how:
- Send the unit base address and directions
- Send allergies to us in writing
- Confirm numbers the day before
- Flag any coeliac crew
Supporting artists and visitors can be included in numbers.
Tables or a marquee at base make lunch comfortable.
What happens on the day
When we arrive, we park up on the agreed spot, set up and heat the fryers. Then everything is fried to order, timed around your shoot. Sunset in California is about 8:55pm in late May, 9:25pm at midsummer and 7:05pm in late September; for dawn calls or late wraps, plan lighting at base.
- The production office sends us the location, dates, numbers and lunch time.
- We check the route and the unit base and send a price.
- We agree the van’s position and arrival with the location manager.
- We serve hot from the hatch when lunch is called.
- We pack up straight after service and leave the base tidy.
Preparing for the day
- Give us your final numbers and allergies
- Leave room in front of the hatch for a queue
- Clear the route for the van
Get a quote
We only need a few details to quote: date, address, numbers and serving time. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
- 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