Reading · England
Film Set Catering for Play Hatch events
Fried to order and served hot: a fish and chip van for the crew in Play Hatch and across Reading.
- Photo shoots
- Treat days on a long shoot
- Event crews
Film set catering in Play Hatch
What happens on the day
We need time before service to bring the fryers up to heat, so we always arrive well ahead of your serving time. Winter shoots near Play Hatch chase the light, which goes at about 3:55pm in December, so lunch at base is frequently in daylight but a wrap meal isn’t.
- 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.
- Everything is fried to order as the queue moves.
- Service is straight from the hatch, then we pack up.
Before we arrive
- Plan where the queue will stand
- Give us a contact for the day
- Choose a level, firm spot for the van
Get a quote
Every booking is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually need. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
About our film set catering in Play Hatch
The van needs level, firm ground at the unit base, and a clear route in. Whether it’s lunch at the unit base and end-of-shoot parties, we can cook pie and chips, mushy peas and sausage and chips and more.
For a shoot in a place like Play Hatch, tracks and soft ground need checking with locations. The menu is short on purpose: fewer choices means fresher food and shorter queues.
Looking after everyone
With a bit of planning, dietary needs are easier to handle. A few tips:
- Send the unit base address and directions
- Arrange something for anyone with needs we can’t meet
- Ensure we can reach locations on the day
- Agree the waste plan with locations
Lunch is planned around the call sheet, and a contact keeps us updated.
A dining area at base helps.
Location catering around Play Hatch
Play Hatch is about 1 mile east of Caversham, in Reading. Whether your shoot is in the middle of Play Hatch or on the outskirts, the service works the same way: fresh frying, hot food from the hatch and a clear price. Play Hatch is one of 34 places in Reading we cover.
Crew coming by rail can use the station: the closest railway station is Reading station, roughly 2.2 miles south-west of the centre. Nearby historic houses include Mapledurham House (4.4 miles west) and Greys Court (4.6 miles north). If you are shooting at a historic house, the van will need a base agreed with the property.
Here we cover the RG4 postcode area, so your shoot can be anywhere in it. Streets in the area include Dene Close, Henley Road and Foxhill Lane, and the van can serve a shoot on any of them with a suitable parking spot. Neighbouring places where we serve shoots include Dunsden Green (1 mile north), Caversham Park Village (1 mile west), Littlestead Green (1 mile north-west), Emmer Green (1 mile west) and Sonning (1 mile south-east). We also serve nearby towns such as Norcot (4 miles west), West Reading (3 miles south-west), Tilehurst Within (5 miles west), Shinfield (5 miles south), Arborfield Garrison (7 miles south) and Horncastle (5 miles south-west).
Other landmarks nearby include The Oracle (2.4 miles south-west) and Royal Berkshire Hospital (2.3 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Alder Moors and South Lake.
- Nearby schools include Reading Blue Coat School (1 mile south-east) and Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre (1.8 miles west)
- Pubs nearby include The Shoulder of Mutton pub (less than half a mile south-west)
Questions from Play Hatch
Do you come out to small places like Play Hatch?
No, we come to small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Can the van park in Ali's Pond Local Nature Reserve?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, generally the council. Ask them first, and tell us what they say.
Is grass a problem?
It depends on the ground. Let us know what the ground is like, and we will advise.
Do you need power or water?
Let us know about power and water at the site when you enquire, and we’ll say what we need.
What if the weather’s bad?
Rain does not stop the fryers: the cooking is inside the van. It is worth planning some cover for the queue.
Do we need to provide equipment?
The van comes fully equipped to cook. You just need a suitable spot and permission.
How long does set-up take?
That depends on your numbers and timings. We confirm all the timings beforehand.
What’s on the menu?
Proper fish and chips, with sausages and pies for anyone who doesn’t want fish. The sides are mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy.
Takeaway run or book a van?
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 solves that by cooking on site.
Ordering from a local shop? Call ahead and collect at the last minute. For a crowd, a van is usually simpler.
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 generally falls as numbers rise, because the van, travel and set-up cost much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
Why book with us
- No kitchen, no crockery, no washing up
- Classic food your crew already know
- Everything cooked to order at your event
- Works on wet days as well as sunny ones
Take a look at how we price or what a fish and chip van costs.
Planners, venues and businesses
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers and vehicles: parking spots, arrival times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll confirm what we can provide.
Planning the van’s spot
The van has to be able to get in and park safely, and a little planning goes a long way. These are the things we check:
- Agreement from the location manager and landowner
- Light near the van if needed
- Access checked by locations
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
Popular choices
- Sausage and chips
- Pie and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Crew lunches
- Mushy peas
- Cod and chips
Prices and what affects them
The same numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- The day of the week
- Access and parking
- Your choice of menu
- The length of service
Many fish and chip vans set a minimum, because the van, fuel and travel cost the same for a small group. We’ll tell you up front.
Details that help
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- A picture of the parking spot
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Roughly how many people, including children
- The address or venue name
The more you tell us, the more accurate the 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, fill in our quote form.
Places near Play Hatch
Also in Play Hatch
Food your guests will love
Pie and chips
For a heartier option, there is pie and chips.
Sausage and chips
Sausage and chips covers anyone who does not want fish, and it’s a favourite with children.
- 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