Kent · England
Film and TV set catering in Sandling, Kent
Film set catering in Sandling: fish and chips cooked fresh in the van, then handed over hot from the hatch at the time you choose.
- Photo shoots
- Crew lunches at base
- Period dramas on location
Book the van in Sandling
Step by step
Here’s how the day normally runs: we arrive, park up and set up, the oil comes up to temperature, and we serve hot from the hatch at the agreed time. Sunset in Sandling is about 8:45pm in late May, 9:15pm at midsummer and 7:00pm in late September; for dawn calls or late wraps, plan lighting at base.
- 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.
Getting ready for the day
- Keep space clear for crew at the hatch
- Get permission for the van from the venue
- Confirm numbers and dietary needs before the day
How to get a price
Every quote is worked out for your event. Give us your date first, and we will confirm whether we’re available that day.
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How our film set catering works in Sandling
A van can get a crew fed quickly within the lunch break, with no kitchen needed on site. For outside broadcasts and period dramas on location, we’ll put together a menu of cod and chips, sausage and chips and haddock and chips.
Rural locations near Sandling can be a long way from food, so a van at base is a big help. Food is served straight from the hatch, so it’s hot and generous, and service is quick once we are up and running.
Planning a shoot in Sandling
Sandling is about 1 mile north-west of Hythe, in Kent. Around Sandling, we park wherever there’s level, firm ground. We serve all 922 towns and villages across Kent. Our bookings stretch from Sandling to Canterbury (about 13 miles away).
Historic houses near Sandling include Westenhanger Castle (1.6 miles west) and Acrise Place (4.5 miles north-east). Historic houses are popular locations, and most set strict rules for vehicles, so plan the unit base with locations. Sandling is about 58 miles from central London. Sandling is within about 6 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, so check vehicle rules with locations. The coast is within about 2 miles of Sandling, and coastal unit bases can be exposed.
Anywhere in CT21, we can fry fresh for your crew, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Neighbouring places where we serve shoots include Saltwood (1 mile south-east), Pedlinge (1 mile south-west), Hythe (1 mile south-east), Westenhanger (1 mile west) and Newingreen (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include Ashford (9 miles north-west), Canterbury (13 miles north), Dover (11 miles east), Folkestone (4 miles east), Tower Hamlets (11 miles east) and Hawkinge (4 miles north-east).
A little further out are Saltwood Castle (0.9 miles south-east) and Hythe Museum (1.4 miles south-east). The countryside around Sandling includes Tolsford Hill.
- Local schools include St Augustine's Catholic Primary School (0.7 miles south)
Also near Sandling
Other occasions in Sandling
Planners, venues and businesses
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
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.
The menu, dish by dish
Cod and chips
For many people, cod and chips is the definitive version. Fried to order in the van, it is hot, crisp and generous.
Gravy
A pot of gravy turns chips into comfort food, especially in winter.
Cannot we just order from the chip shop?
Collecting fish and chips for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is hard work. By the time you’ve queued, paid and driven back, the batter has gone soft. A van fries it right there, so it is crisp.
Weighing up a takeaway order against booking a van? Consider your numbers and how fresh you want it. We are happy to send a quote so you can compare.
How we price a fish and chip van for the crew
Your quote will be clear. The main things that affect it are:
- Your choice of menu
- The date and time of year
- The length of service
- Whether a minimum applies
A chip van frequently compares well with a plated meal, because it needs no kitchen and no crockery hire. We’ll send you a quote.
What we need to know
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- A photo of the parking spot
- Expected numbers
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- The date and when you’d like to eat
Planning a fish and chip van for the crew in Sandling? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll reply with a clear price. Just fill in our quote form.
What the van needs
A good parking spot makes the whole thing easier. We need:
- Clear of the shot and sound
- Agreement from the location manager and landowner
- A level, firm spot at the unit base
Not sure about the spot? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
Popular choices
- Crew lunches
- Pie and chips
- Mushy peas
- Haddock and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Cod and chips
Questions from Sandling
Do you come to venues in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles and ground, so check with yours. We will work to whatever the site needs.
What about events near the coast?
Yes, of course. Wind doesn’t affect the fryers, but plan a sheltered spot for the queue.
Is everything cooked fresh?
Yes. The fryers are in the van, so food is cooked there and then, not cooked earlier and kept warm.
Does the batter contain gluten?
Standard batter is made with wheat flour, so battered fish contains gluten. Let us know about coeliac crew in advance, and we will tell you honestly what we can offer.
Do we need to provide anything?
A suitable spot for the van and permission to park there. Tell us whether there’s power or water nearby and we will take it from there.
How quickly can you serve everyone?
Keeping choices simple and sending people up in groups helps. Tell us your timings and we will advise.
Which areas do you serve?
We take the van across London and the South East, including Kent. Find your area.
Do we need to provide equipment?
We bring the van and everything we need to cook. You just need a suitable spot and permission.
Planning for dietary needs
A little planning makes sure everyone is looked after. Try these:
- Make sure we can reach locations on the day
- Let us know about coeliac disease
- Agree how the base is left
- Confirm allergies by email
Tell us if supporting artists are eating.
Cover near the hatch helps on wet days.
A chip van compared with other options
Wrap parties add up. A van makes a relaxed wrap. The price depends on numbers, the menu and how long we serve, along with distance and access to the site. Every booking gets its own quote.
Why us?
- Quick service from the hatch
- A menu almost everyone likes
- No surprises in your quote
- Works on wet days as well as sunny ones
Take a look at our prices page and our guide to van hire costs.
- 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
