Kent · England
Film Set Catering in Whetsted
Hot, crisp and cooked while you wait: a fish and chip van for the crew in Whetsted and across Kent.
- Period dramas on location
- Stills shoots
- Crew morale days
Book the van in Whetsted
About our film set catering in Whetsted
We need a level, firm spot at base, and a route the van can manage. We serve mushy peas, haddock and chips and cod and chips, and we are regularly asked to cater outside broadcasts and wrap celebrations.
For a shoot in a place like Whetsted, tracks and soft ground need checking with locations. The menu is short on purpose: a few classics done properly keeps the food fresh and the queue moving.
Planning a shoot in Whetsted
Whetsted is about 4 miles east of Tonbridge, in Kent. Whetsted is well within our area, so your shoot just needs a date, a spot for the van and a serving time. Whetsted is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we bring the van. Our bookings stretch from Whetsted to London (about 29 miles away).
For crew arriving by train, Paddock Wood station is about 0.9 miles away.
This part of Kent takes in TN12. For shoots just outside Whetsted, we cover Five Oak Green (1 mile south-west), Paddock Wood (1 mile south-east), Colt's Hill (1 mile south-west), Capel (2 miles south-west) and Crockhurst Street (2 miles west). Further out, we also take the van to Maidstone (8 miles north-east), Sevenoaks (10 miles north-west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (6 miles south-west), Tonbridge (4 miles west), Kings Hill (6 miles north) and Foley Park (9 miles north-east).
Nearby you will also find Tonbridge Castle (4.4 miles west) and Tunbridge Wells Hospital (4.1 miles south-west). Within reach you will find Tudeley Woods RSPB reserve.
- Nearby schools include Mascalls School (1.6 miles south)
- Nearby, you will find The Kings Head pub (0.9 miles south-west)
Planning for dietary needs
A little planning makes sure everyone is looked after. Here’s how:
- Flag any coeliac crew
- Confirm numbers the day before
- Collect diets and allergies with crew details
- Arrange something for anyone with needs we cannot meet
We clear up quickly after lunch.
A gazebo by the van keeps the line dry.
The process
Rain doesn’t stop the fryers, because the cooking happens inside the van. It is worth thinking about cover for the queue, though. Sunset in Whetsted is about 8:50pm in late May, 9:15pm at midsummer and 7:00pm in late September; for dawn calls or late wraps, plan lighting at base.
- We start with a few details about your shoot.
- You get an availability check and a clear quote.
- Timings and the van’s spot are agreed in advance.
- We cook to order on the day for the crew.
- We serve from the hatch, then leave the pitch tidy.
Preparing for the day
- Pick a flat, firm place for the van to park
- Get permission for the van from the venue
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
Getting a price
The quickest way to a quote is to send us your details through our quote form. Tell us about your shoot in Whetsted, and we’ll come back with availability and a quote.
Planning help
Why fried-to-order beats a buffet
A full location catering unit suits long shoots with three meals a day. A van is great for short jobs and crew treats. Distance and any road charges make a difference, so tell us exactly where your shoot is.
Why Whetsted hosts choose us
- Events in Whetsted and across Kent
- Served hot, straight from the hatch
- Rain does not stop the fryers
- No kitchen, no crockery, no washing up
Take a look at our prices page and the cost guide.
What a fish and chip van costs
The same numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Parking and the way in
- The date and time of year
- The minimum booking
- Cod, haddock or both
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.
What we need to know
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- Dietary needs, with numbers
- Access details such as gates and narrow lanes
- A picture of the parking spot
- Rough numbers for adults and children
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the parking spot, access, numbers and serving time. Photos of the spot and the way in help. When you’re ready, send us your details through our quote form.
Who books film set catering in Whetsted?
It needs no kitchen on location.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Ad shoots
- End-of-shoot parties
- Crew lunches at base
- Crew treats on long shoot days
Central London is about 29 miles from Whetsted.
Comparing caterers
- How long service runs, and what happens if you overrun
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- The deadline for final numbers
- When payment is due
For planners, venues and organisers
Many venues set rules for catering vans: parking spots, arrival times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll confirm what we can provide.
Organising a club, school or community event in Whetsted? A fish and chip van draws people in and almost everyone likes it. Give us the details and we’ll suggest how it could work.
Should I sort the food myself?
You could do a chip-shop run for everyone yourself, but it rarely works for a crowd. By the time you’ve queued, paid and driven back, the batter has gone soft. With a van, it is fried on the spot.
Not sure whether to order in or book a van? Consider your numbers and how fresh you want it. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Towns and villages near Whetsted
Other occasions in Whetsted
Whetsted: your questions answered
Could you trade in Foal Hurst Wood?
Only if the landowner, typically the council, allows it. Ask them first, and tell us what they say.
Is Whetsted too small for a chip van?
Not at all. We serve villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and the ground.
What paperwork do you provide?
Every production asks for different things, so send us the list.
What do you bring?
The van comes fully equipped to cook. You just need a suitable spot and permission.
How long does set-up take?
We arrive well before service to park and heat the fryers. Timings are agreed in advance.
What about crew who don’t eat fish?
Sausage and chips and pie and chips are on the menu. Tell us about other diets and we will be honest about what’s possible.
Can the van come to base?
Normally, if there’s level, firm ground. Locations will decide where.
Can you cook in the rain?
The weather doesn’t stop the van, because the cooking happens inside. Very soft ground can be a problem, so plan a back-up spot on a hard surface.
Planning the van’s spot
A fish and chip van is a vehicle, so the spot matters, and a little planning goes a long way. Here’s what we look for:
- A level, firm spot at the unit base
- Space in front of the hatch
- Far enough from set to keep noise down
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and the way in, and we will say what we think.
Popular choices
- Crew lunches
- Cod and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Pie and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Mushy peas
- 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