Kent · England
Film and TV set catering in Devil's Den, Kent
From the smell of the fryers to the last chip in the paper, a fish and chip van for the crew turns food into part of your shoot in Devil's Den.
- Fashion shoots on location
- Crew morale days
- Wrap parties
Planning an event in Devil's Den?
What a fish and chip van costs
Every booking is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- Cod, haddock or both
- Parking and the way in
- How far we travel
- The minimum booking
Most vans have a minimum charge, since getting the van there costs the same however many eat. We will tell you up front.
Getting an accurate quote
When you contact us, it helps to tell us:
- A picture of the parking spot
- Expected numbers
- Anything awkward about the way in
- Where the event is
Each quote is put together for your shoot. Start with your date, and we’ll check availability straight away.
About our film set catering in Devil's Den
We need a level, firm spot at base, and a clear route in. We are often asked to cater unit base lunches and outside broadcasts, with cod and chips, pie and chips and sausage and chips.
Near Devil's Den, crews may be miles from anywhere to eat, so a van at base is a big help. Let us know about allergies and dietary needs in advance, and we’ll be straight with you about what we can do.
Allergies and dietary needs
With a bit of planning, dietary needs are easier to handle. A few tips:
- Agree the waste plan with locations
- Have a back-up for special diets
- Let us know about coeliac disease
- Give us a map or what3words for base
Tell us if supporting artists are eating.
A dining area at base helps.
Occasions we serve in Devil's Den
It is ideal for short jobs.
In Devil's Den and nearby, the van turns up at all sorts of events. Popular bookings include:
- Stills shoots
- Crew lunches at base
- Event crews
- Treat days on a long shoot
Among the historic houses close to Devil's Den are Stoneacre (4 miles north) and Leeds Castle (4.5 miles north-east). If you’re shooting at a historic house, the van will need a base agreed with the property.
Comparing caterers
- What happens if plans change
- What the price includes, item by item
- Allergen information for each item
- The deadline for final numbers
What comes out of the fryer
Mushy peas
Proper mushy peas start with dried marrowfat peas. They’re the classic side with fish and chips.
Haddock and chips
Haddock has a slightly sweeter flavour and a firmer flake. It is the traditional favourite in Scotland and much of the north.
FAQs for Devil's Den
Can the van go to venues in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules for vehicles; ask your venue. We’ll follow the site rules.
Which station is closest to Devil's Den?
Staplehurst station, about 1.8 miles south-west of the centre.
What about crew who don’t eat fish?
There is: sausages and pies, with chips. Give us a rough idea of numbers.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain does not stop the fryers: the cooking is inside the van. It’s worth planning some cover for the queue.
Can you go on a lawn or field?
That depends on the weather and the ground. Let us know what the ground is like, and we will advise.
What food do you serve?
Fish and chips, of course, plus sausage or pie and chips. Mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy go on the side.
Who clears up?
We clear the van’s area after service. Let us know about bins for crew.
Can you feed visitors on set?
Of course. Let us know total numbers.
Towns and villages near Devil's Den
What else we do in Devil's Den
Why fried-to-order beats a buffet
Wrap parties add up. A van makes a relaxed wrap. Compared with a sit-down meal, a fish and chip van is frequently good value, as there’s no kitchen to hire and nothing to wash up. We will send you a quote.
What you get with us
- Something for crew to gather round
- Cod, haddock, sausages and pies
- Rain does not stop the fryers
- Fried fresh, not kept warm
Take a look at our prices page or what a fish and chip van costs.
Shooting in Devil's Den: unit bases and access
Devil's Den is about 5 miles south of Maidstone, in Kent. In and around Devil's Den, the van can serve from a drive, a yard, a car park or a firm field. Devil's Den is one of 922 places in Kent where we bring the van. We serve events right across the region, from Devil's Den to Canterbury (23 miles away).
For cast and crew travelling by train, Staplehurst station is about 1.8 miles away. Central London is about 36 miles from Devil's Den. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Devil's Den, so check vehicle rules with locations.
This part of Kent takes in ME17, so your shoot can be anywhere in it. If your venue is just outside Devil's Den, we also cover Farthing Green (1 mile south-east), Rabbit's Cross (1 mile west), Cross-at-Hand (1 mile west), Hawkenbury (1 mile south) and Staplehurst (2 miles south-west). We also serve nearby towns such as Maidstone (5 miles north), Ashford (13 miles east), Sittingbourne (12 miles north-east), Royal Tunbridge Wells (14 miles west), Tonbridge (13 miles west) and Kings Hill (9 miles north-west).
Well-known places in the area include Sutton Valence Castle (1.6 miles north-east) and South East Romany Museum (3 miles south-west).
Where the van can park in Devil's Den
Most drives, car parks, yards and firm lawns can take the van, but there are a few things to check:
- A level, firm spot at the unit base
- A queue area clear of trucks
- Access checked by locations
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
What we serve
- Crew lunches
- Cod and chips
- Pie and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Mushy peas
Can’t we just order from the chip shop?
DIY food keeps costs down, but the host spends the event serving. With a fish and chip van, you get hot food without the work.
Ordering in from a local chip shop is an option. The problem is timing: big orders take a long time, and the food is cooling while it travels. A van cooks in front of your crew instead.
How it works
The van turns up at the agreed time, pulls onto the spot you’ve chosen and the hatch goes up. Once the oil is hot, the first portions go out right on schedule. At midsummer, Devil's Den has light until about 9:15pm, while by late September it’s nearer 7:00pm.
- You share your date, numbers and address.
- We check access for the van and quote.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- Everything is fried to order as the queue moves.
- Service is straight from the hatch, then we pack up.
Preparing for the day
- Leave room in front of the hatch for a queue
- Name one person we can call on the day
- Confirm the van is allowed on site
Getting a price
Still finalising the details? That’s fine: tell us the basics about your shoot, and we will firm it up nearer the time. Start when you’re ready: send us your details through 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