Kent · England
Festivals, fêtes and school events in Ditton, Kent
Planning a fish and chip van for your event in Ditton? The van comes to your venue, home or workplace and fry fresh while your visitors queue at the hatch.
- Fundraisers
- Crew and volunteer catering
- Church fêtes and fish and chip suppers
A chip van near Ditton
How our fish and chip van for events works in Ditton
Send us the event details and the pitch information, and we will let you know if we are available. We’re often asked to cater food for volunteers and church fêtes and fish and chip suppers, serving mushy peas, sausage and chips and chips.
Events near Ditton are often volunteer-run, so a trader who brings everything is a bonus. Everything is fried fresh at your event, not cooked earlier and kept warm, and served the moment it comes out of the fryer.
Ditton: your questions answered
How far is Ditton from London?
Roughly 28 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Can the van park in Ditton Quarry?
Only if the landowner, normally the council, allows it. Ask them first.
What happens if it rains?
Rain does not stop the fryers: the cooking is inside the van. It is worth planning some cover for the queue.
What’s on the menu?
Fish and chips, of course, plus sausage or pie and chips. The sides are mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy.
Do you do school fairs and sports days?
Yes, with the school’s permission for the van on site. Tell us the date and where the van would park.
Can the van park on grass?
Normally, if it is firm and dry. Soft, wet ground can trap any vehicle, so have a hard-surface back-up.
Do we need to provide equipment?
We bring the van and everything we need to cook. You provide a suitable spot and permission to park.
How do you charge at fêtes?
That varies: pitch fee, percentage or minimum. We will agree terms before the day.
What the van needs
The van has to be able to get in and park safely, and a little planning goes a long way. Here’s what we look for:
- The landowner’s or organiser’s permission for the van
- Firm, level ground for the pitch
- Information about power and water
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
The process
The van needs a level, firm spot it can drive onto, near your visitors, which we agree with you beforehand. Summer events in Ditton have daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer and about 7:00pm by late September, which helps evening trading. For winter events, dark by about 3:50pm, the pitch needs lighting.
- Start with three things: the date, the place and a rough headcount.
- A photo of the parking spot helps us check the van will fit.
- A week or so before, we confirm timings and numbers.
- The van rolls up, the hatch opens and the fryers get going for your visitors.
- Last portion served, we tidy up and head off.
Getting ready for the day
- Share the timings for the day
- Clear the route for the van
- Pick a flat, firm place for the van to park
How to get a price
Send us the date, the address or ME20 postcode and rough numbers, along with your serving time, and we’ll reply with a quote. Just send us your details through our quote form.
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Allergies and dietary needs
With a little notice, diets are easier to plan for. Our advice:
- Plan crew and volunteer food times
- Plan something for visitors we can’t cater for
- Agree who removes waste
- Share pitch details
Plan where the queue forms, especially near rides and games.
A few benches near the van help.
Should I sort the food myself?
Weighing up a takeaway order against booking a van? Think about numbers, timing and how hot you want the food. Ask us for a quote and compare.
A DIY buffet works for small groups. For larger numbers, or when you want hot food, a van takes the pressure off, and nobody has to miss the event.
For planners, venues and organisers
If your event is in a public place, such as a park or a street, check what permission you need first. The council or landowner will tell you what they need.
Having the party at home? Send a photo of where the van would park, and we will let you know if the van will fit.
Events we cater in Ditton
It suits almost every visitor, from families to older visitors.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- School fairs and sports days
- Community festivals
- Sports tournaments
- Village fêtes
Running a fête for a church like St Peter's Church? A chip van draws people in.
Before booking anyone
- Any minimum charge
- The deadline for final numbers
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- VAT, if it applies
Other occasions in Ditton
What a fish and chip van costs
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Distance and any road charges
- How easy the site is to reach
- Peak dates such as summer Saturdays
- Numbers
Larger groups typically cost less per head, since the van and set-up are much the same for any size. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
What we need to know
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- The address or venue name
- A picture of the parking spot
- The date and when you’d like to eat
- Expected numbers
Each quote is put together for your event. Give us your date first, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
Community events around Ditton
Ditton is about 4 miles north-west of Maidstone, in Kent. For an event in Ditton, the van can park on drives, in car parks and yards, and on firm lawns and fields in and around Ditton. Ditton is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we bring the van. Our bookings stretch from Ditton to Canterbury (27 miles away).
School fairs, for a school like Ditton Infant School, are a natural fit for a fish and chip van. An event in Ditton Quarry means agreeing traders and vehicle routes with the landowner, typically the council.
We serve events across ME20. From London Road, Station Road and Scott Close or anywhere nearby, we can park up and fry there. Close by, we cover events in Aylesford (1 mile east), East Malling (1 mile west), Well Street (1 mile south-west), Allington (2 miles east) and West Malling (2 miles west). We also serve nearby towns such as Maidstone (4 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (13 miles east), Dartford (14 miles north-west), Sevenoaks (12 miles west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (14 miles south-west) and Gravesend (10 miles north).
A little further out are Leybourne Castle (1.6 miles north-west) and Fremlin Walk (3.1 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Burham Down and Blue Bell Hill.
- Local schools include Aylesford School (0.5 miles north-east) and The Malling School (1 mile west)
- Nearby, you will find Kentish Quarryman pub (less than half a mile north)
What comes out of the fryer
Pie and chips
A pie and chips is proper comfort food, and it’s especially welcome on a cold day.
Mushy peas
Mushy peas are made from dried marrowfat peas, soaked and cooked until soft. They’re the side most people expect.
- 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