Kent · England
Film Set Catering for Ratling events
A menu everybody knows: cod or haddock in batter, chips, sausages and pies, with mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy. Book a fish and chip van for the crew in Ratling.
- Crew morale days
- Location shoots
- Outside broadcasts
Book the van in Ratling
How our film set catering works in Ratling
Shoot days are long, and a hot lunch on time matters. A fish and chip van parks at the unit base and fries to order. Whether it’s event crews and period dramas on location, we’ll put together a menu of pie and chips, sausage and chips and mushy peas for your guests.
Rural locations near Ratling can be a long way from food, so lunch at base matters. Let us know about allergies and dietary needs in advance, and we will be straight with you about what we can do before booking.
Food your guests will love
Sausage and chips
A sausage and chips is the chip-shop classic for younger crew and fish-dodgers, especially with curry sauce.
Pie and chips
Pie and chips gives people a filling alternative to fish.
Towns and villages near Ratling
What else we do in Ratling
A chip van compared with other options
Long shoots normally need a full catering unit. A chip van suits short shoots and treat days. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will suggest a menu and timing to match. A short menu is often the best value.
Why us?
- A van that becomes part of the event
- Mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy on the side
- No surprises in your quote
- Cod, haddock, sausages and pies
Take a look at how we price and our guide to van hire costs.
Can’t 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. A van fries it right there, so it is crisp.
Ordering from a local shop? Call ahead and collect at the last minute. For anything more than a handful of people, a van is normally the easier option.
Ratling for film and TV crews
Ratling is about 6 miles south-east of Canterbury, in Kent. Across the CT3 area, we can bring the van to you. We cover all 922 towns and villages across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. We serve events right across the region, from Ratling to Canterbury (6 miles away).
Within reach of Ratling are historic houses such as Goodnestone Park (1 mile north-east). Period locations like these normally keep vehicles well away from the house, so agree the base early. Ratling is roughly 59 miles from central London. Ratling is within about 7 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, so check vehicle rules with locations.
For shoots in CT3, we just need to know where the van can park and roughly how many crew. Close by, we cover shoots in Nonington (1 mile south-east), Snowdown (1 mile south), Goodnestone (1 mile north-east), Chillenden (2 miles east) and Woolage Village (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include Canterbury (6 miles north-west), Margate (13 miles north-east), Dover (8 miles south-east), Folkestone (11 miles south), Ramsgate (11 miles north-east) and Broadstairs (13 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include St Martins Hospital (5.2 miles north-west).
Prices and what affects them
Each booking is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- Your choice of menu
- How many people are eating
- The length of service
- The date and time of year
Larger groups normally cost less per head, because the van, travel and set-up cost much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What we need to know
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- The date and time of the event
- Where you’d like the van to go
- Allergies and diets you know about
- A photo of the parking spot
We only need a few details to quote: date, address, numbers and serving time. You can send us your details through our quote form.
The process
We take care of the food from arrival to the last chip, so you can get on with your shoot. Light in Ratling lasts until about 9:15pm at midsummer; for early or late service, base needs lighting.
- Start with three things: the date, the place and a rough headcount.
- Show us where the van would go, and we’ll confirm it works.
- A week or so before, we confirm timings and numbers.
- We park, open the hatch and start frying for the crew.
- Once the last portion is out, we pack up and go.
Before we arrive
- Leave room in front of the hatch for a queue
- Give us a contact for the day
- Pick a flat, firm place for the van to park
Get a quote
Every quote is worked out for your event. Give us your date first, and we’ll check availability straight away.
Planning help
Your questions about a fish and chip van for the crew in Ratling
Can the van go to venues in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles and ground, so check with yours. We’ll follow the site rules.
How far is Ratling from London?
Roughly 59 miles from the centre of London.
Is everything cooked fresh?
It is. We cook inside the van, so it’s fried on the spot, not cooked earlier and kept warm.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Children are very welcome. Let us know numbers, and we’ll include them in the plan.
What food do you serve?
Fish and chips, of course, with sausages and pies for anyone who does not want fish. The sides are mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy.
What paperwork do you provide?
Productions vary, so ask your production office for the list and we’ll go through it.
Can you park on the road outside?
Only where it’s legal to park, or with a council parking suspension or road closure. Ask your council early.
Can coeliacs eat the battered fish?
Not as standard: batter is normally made with wheat flour. Let us know and we will tell you what we can do.
Planners, venues and businesses
For repeat bookings, such as regular staff lunches or annual fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Many venues set rules for catering vans: parking spots, arrival times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will work through them with you.
What the van needs
We will be honest if a spot will not work, and suggest an alternative. The main points are:
- A queue area clear of trucks
- Access checked by locations
- A hardstanding spot at the unit base
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and the way in, and we will say what we think before booking.
What we serve
- Sausage and chips
- Cod and chips
- Pie and chips
- Mushy peas
- Haddock and chips
- Crew lunches
Perfect for your shoot in Ratling
It lifts the crew.
The van suits big events and small ones. Typical bookings include:
- Crew morale days
- Location shoots
- Photo shoots
- Crew lunches at base
Crew coming by rail can use the station: Adisham station, about 0.5 miles north-west, is the nearest station.
What your quote should include
- The cancellation terms
- The deposit and payment dates
- How long service runs, and what happens if you overrun
- The van’s size and access needs
- 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