Kent · England
Film and TV set catering in Hawkenbury, Kent
We bring a fish and chip van for the crew across Hawkenbury and Kent, cooking to order on site.
- Event crews
- Period dramas on location
- End-of-shoot parties
A chip van near Hawkenbury
Cannot we just order from the chip shop?
Collecting fish and chips for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s hard work. Long waits and a drive home mean food arrives lukewarm and soggy. With a van, it’s fried on the spot.
A DIY buffet works for small groups. For larger numbers, or when you want hot food, a van takes the pressure off, and nobody has to miss the shoot.
Film set catering for your shoot in Hawkenbury
We need a level, firm spot at base, and a route the van can manage. Popular choices include mushy peas, sausage and chips and haddock and chips, and we are regularly asked to cater location shoots and seaside and period locations.
Near Hawkenbury, check tracks and ground for the van with locations. We keep the menu short: a few classics done properly keeps the food fresh and the queue moving.
Shooting in Hawkenbury: unit bases and access
Hawkenbury is about 7 miles south of Maidstone, in Kent. Shoots in Hawkenbury are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a parking spot and fresh frying on the day. We cover all 922 towns and villages in Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our bookings stretch from Hawkenbury to Canterbury (about 23 miles away).
Central London is about 37 miles from Hawkenbury, within easy reach for London-based crews. Hawkenbury is within about 6 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, and locations in protected landscapes often have rules about vehicles.
Here we cover the TN12 postcode area, so your shoot can be anywhere in it. Other places close to Hawkenbury we cover include Farthing Green (1 mile north-east), Devil's Den (1 mile north), Staplehurst (1 mile south-west), Cross-at-Hand (2 miles north-west) and Sinkhurst Green (2 miles south). Further out, we also take the van to Maidstone (7 miles north), Ashford (13 miles east), Sittingbourne (13 miles north-east), Royal Tunbridge Wells (14 miles west), Tonbridge (13 miles west) and Kings Hill (10 miles north-west).
A little further out are Brattle Farm Museum (2.4 miles south-west) and Sutton Valence Castle (2.6 miles north).
Step by step
Expect a friendly, organised set-up. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, park on the agreed spot, and get on with frying and serving. Light in Hawkenbury lasts until about 9:15pm at midsummer; for early or late service, base needs lighting.
- You share your date, numbers and address.
- We check the route in and send a price.
- We arrive early to park and heat the fryers.
- Fish goes into the batter and straight into the fryer, to order.
- Service is straight from the hatch, then we pack up.
Preparing for the day
- Share the timings for the day
- Get permission for the van from the venue
- Have a level parking spot ready
Get a quote
Planning a fish and chip van for the crew in Hawkenbury? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll come back with a quote. To get in touch, use our quote form.
Planning help
Why choose film set catering in Hawkenbury?
It is ideal for short jobs.
Here are some of the occasions we serve around Hawkenbury:
- Period dramas on location
- Fashion shoots on location
- Music video shoots
- Unit base lunches
For crew arriving by train, the nearest station is Staplehurst station, about 1.3 miles west.
Questions to ask before you book
- What the van needs: space, access, power
- When final numbers are due
- How many hours the van serves
- Allergen information for each item
Organising for someone else?
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
If your event is in a public place, such as a park or a street, check what permission you need first. Ask the council or landowner early.
Planning the van’s spot
Most drives, car parks, yards and firm lawns can take the van, but there are a few things to check:
- Light near the van if needed
- Away from the shooting area’s sound
- Level, firm ground at base
Not sure about the spot? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before you book.
From the hatch
- Crew lunches
- Cod and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Mushy peas
- Pie and chips
- Sausage and chips
Also near Hawkenbury
Also in Hawkenbury
Diets, allergies and planning
With a bit of planning, dietary needs are easier to handle. A few tips:
- Tell us about coeliac crew specifically
- Put allergy details in writing
- Collect diets and allergies with crew details
- Give us a contact for call-time changes
Lunch is planned around the call sheet, and a contact keeps us updated.
A dining area at base helps.
Hawkenbury questions
What’s the nearest station to Hawkenbury?
The closest is Staplehurst station, roughly 1.3 miles away.
Do you come out to small places like Hawkenbury?
Not at all. We serve villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and the ground.
Is there a non-fish option?
We serve sausages and pies as well as fish. Let us know about any other dietary needs and we’ll tell you what we can offer.
Where can the van park?
Less than you might think: a hard surface or firm, dry grass, with a clear way in. Send us a picture if you are not sure.
Do you have allergen information?
Tell us about allergies when you book, and we’ll give you the allergen information and what we can offer.
What can crew choose from?
The classics: cod, haddock, chips, sausages and pies, plus mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy. Our menu has the details.
Can the van come to our wrap?
Yes, it is a popular wrap. Send us the date and place.
What does it cost to hire the van?
It depends on numbers, the menu, how long we serve and travel. Tell us about your shoot and we will send a quote.
Prices and what affects them
There’s nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- Peak dates such as summer Saturdays
- Access and parking
- The minimum booking
- Your choice of menu
Compared with a sit-down meal, a fish and chip van is often good value, because it needs no kitchen and no crockery hire. We’ll send you a quote.
What we need to know
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but it helps to know:
- Allergies and diets you know about
- Roughly how many people, including children
- A picture of where the van would go
- The spot you have in mind for the van
Not sure of numbers yet? That’s fine: tell us the basics about your shoot, and we will quote on that. To start, use our quote form.
A closer look at the menu
Cod and chips
Cod and chips is the meal most people picture when they think of a chip shop. Fried to order in the van, it is hot, crisp and generous.
Haddock and chips
Some people swear by haddock: sweeter and a touch firmer than cod. Tell us if you’d like to offer it.
- 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