Kent · England
Festivals, fêtes and school events in Crouch, Kent
Planning a fish and chip van for your event in Crouch? We bring the van to you and fry fresh while your visitors queue at the hatch.
- Horse and dog shows
- Charity fundraisers and community events
- Church fêtes
Fish and chip van for events in Crouch
How our fish and chip van for events works in Crouch
A van suits shows and field events, if the ground is firm enough for vehicles. We serve sausage and chips, mushy peas and haddock and chips, and we are frequently booked for agricultural and country shows and community festivals.
At a field event near Crouch, power and water may be limited; tell us what’s available and we will plan around it. We keep the menu short: fewer choices means fresher food and shorter queues.
Diets, allergies and planning
Dietary needs are easiest to plan with some notice. Our advice:
- Tell us about any school or event allergy policies
- Share pitch details
- Agree when volunteers will eat
- Agree the terms in writing
Plan where the queue forms.
Tables and seating nearby help families eat.
Community events around Crouch
Crouch is about 3 miles south-east of Preston, in Kent. Anywhere in ME13, we can bring the van to you. We take the van to 922 places across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our bookings stretch from Crouch to Canterbury (6 miles away).
For anyone arriving by train, the nearest station is Selling station, about 0.5 miles south. If your event is in Mount Ephraim Gardens, the organiser will need the landowner’s permission for vehicles and traders. Within about 7 miles is the Kent Downs National Landscape, where events may have extra rules on vehicles and waste; we’ll follow the site’s requirements.
For events in ME13, we just need to know where the van can park and a serving time. Other places close to Crouch we cover include South Street (1 mile south-east), Gushmere (1 mile south-west), Neames Forstal (1 mile south), Hickmans Green (1 mile east) and Oversland (1 mile south-east). We also serve nearby towns such as Ashford (10 miles south), Canterbury (6 miles east), Sittingbourne (10 miles north-west), Whitstable (6 miles north-east), Faversham (3 miles north-west) and Herne Bay (10 miles north-east).
A little further out are Tower keep castle at Chilham (3 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Blean Woods RSPB Reserve.
- Local pubs include The Sondes Arms (0.5 miles south)
Should I sort the food myself?
Frying for a crowd at home is not a good idea: big pans of hot oil, children and garden parties don’t mix. A van is designed for exactly this.
Some hosts try a takeaway order. The problem is timing: big orders take a long time, and the food is cooling while it travels. A van cooks in front of your visitors instead.
Questions from Crouch
Is Crouch close to London?
About 47 miles from central London.
Do you come to venues in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules for vehicles; ask your venue. We will follow the site rules.
Do you do anything other than fish?
Sausage and chips and pie and chips are on the menu. Tell us about other diets and we’ll be honest about what’s possible.
When do you arrive?
That depends on your numbers and timings. We agree arrival, serving and finishing times with you before the day.
Can you park on the road outside?
It depends on the road. A drive, car park or yard is normally easier; if it has to be the street, check with the council.
Can you cook in the rain?
We carry on in the rain, because the fryers are inside. Very soft ground can be a problem, so plan a back-up spot on a hard surface.
What do you bring?
The van comes fully equipped to cook. You provide a suitable spot and permission to park.
What do you need on the pitch?
A firm pitch with space for a queue. Tell us about power and water.
Is a fish and chip van right for your event?
Next to a volunteer barbecue, a chip van frees your helpers. The cost per head normally falls as numbers rise, since the van and set-up are much the same for any size. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why book with us
- Hot food handed straight over
- We cook inside the van, whatever the weather
- No kitchen, no crockery, no washing up
- Fish and chips fried fresh on site
Read how we price and what a fish and chip van costs.
Space, access and the venue
A good parking spot makes the whole thing easier. We look for:
- Access that avoids crowds
- Details of any power or water on site
- A queue area clear of rides and games
Not sure about the spot? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before you book.
On the menu in Crouch
- Curry sauce
- Mushy peas
- Sausage and chips
- Chips
- Haddock and chips
- Cod and chips
The process
The van needs a level, firm spot it can drive onto, close to where people will eat, and we agree exactly where before the day. Winter fairs in Crouch are dark by about 3:50pm, so we need a lit pitch; spring events have light until about 8:45pm by late May.
- First, the plan: what, where and what time.
- We come back with availability and a clear price.
- The van’s spot is fixed in advance.
- On the day, everything is cooked to order, so nothing sits in a hot cabinet.
- We leave the spot as we found it.
How to prepare
- Let us know the serving time
- Make sure the van can get in
- Choose a level, firm spot for the van
Ask for a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, address, numbers and serving time. To send them, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
For planners, venues and organisers
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a fête committee, we’ll work directly with you and the venue. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on arrival and serving times.
Events we cater in Crouch
It needs little from volunteers, because we bring what we need.
Whatever brings people together, fish and chips from the hatch goes down well. We regularly serve:
- Sports club events and race days
- Village fêtes and summer fairs
- Festivals
- Feeding event crew
Church fêtes, at churches such as Church of St Peter and St Paul, are a natural home for a chip van.
Before you book anyone
- How allergens are handled
- The minimum number of meals or minimum spend
- A clear list of what’s included
- How long service runs, and what happens if you overrun
A closer look at the menu
Pie and chips
For a heartier option, there’s pie and chips, perfect with gravy.
Gravy
A pot of gravy turns chips into comfort food, especially in winter.
Towns and villages near Crouch
More for events in Crouch
- 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