Surrey · England
Festivals, fêtes and school events in Dorking, Surrey
Fish and chip van for events in Dorking: fish and chips cooked fresh in the van, then handed over hot from the hatch.
- Food for volunteers
- Village fêtes and summer fairs
- Country shows
Fish and chip van for events in Dorking
Why fried-to-order beats a buffet
At a small fête, one good trader may be all you need, with cakes and teas alongside. Got a budget? Let us know, and we’ll suggest how to make it work. A short menu is frequently the best value.
Why book our van in Dorking
- We cook inside the van, whatever the weather
- The classic sides: peas, curry sauce and gravy
- A van that becomes part of the event
- Quick service from the hatch
See our prices page or the cost guide.
Fish and chip van for events in Dorking, cooked to order
We bring the van and everything we need to cook, so we need little help from busy volunteers. On the menu are chips, haddock and chips and mushy peas, and typical bookings are for community open days and crew and volunteer catering.
In Dorking, a good food stall can make an event. A chip van is one visitors will queue for. Let us know about allergies and dietary needs in advance, and we’ll tell you honestly what we can offer before you book.
Takeaway run or book a van?
If you do order from a chip shop, ring well ahead and collect as close to eating time as you can. For a crowd, a van is usually simpler.
Deep-frying for lots of people at home is risky: hot oil and a busy party are a bad combination. A van is designed for exactly this.
Looking after everyone
We need to know about dietary needs and allergies in advance, and we will tell you honestly what we can offer. To make it work smoothly:
- Plan crew and volunteer food times
- Ensure allergen information is available
- Agree how we’ll be paid: pitch fee, share of takings or minimum
- Share any nut or allergy policies
Crew food is served at the agreed time.
A spot near the entrance or main ring works well.
Food your guests will love
Gravy
A pot of gravy turns chips into comfort food.
Curry sauce
Curry sauce divides opinion and it is on the menu.
Community events around Dorking
Dorking is about 10 miles north-west of Crawley, in Surrey. We serve events at drives, car parks, yards and venues around Dorking and the surrounding area. We take the van to all 395 towns and villages across Surrey, from the larger towns to small villages. We serve events right across the region, from Dorking to Guildford (about 11 miles away).
If your event is in Deepdene Terrace, the organiser will need the landowner’s permission for vehicles and traders. School fairs, for a school like St Paul's CofE (Aided) Primary School, are a natural fit for a fish and chip van. Within about 2 miles is the Surrey Hills National Landscape, where events may have extra rules on vehicles and waste; we work to the site rules.
Anywhere in RH4 and RH5, we can fry fresh for your visitors, from busy streets to quiet lanes. We can serve an event on streets such as High Street, Station Road and London Road or the roads around them, wherever the van can park. Main roads around Dorking include the A24 and A25, which makes travel to your event easy. If your venue is just outside Dorking, we also cover Pixham (1 mile north-east), North Holmwood (1 mile south), Westhumble (2 miles north), Westcott (2 miles west) and Blackbrook (2 miles south-east). We also serve nearby towns such as Guildford (11 miles west), Woking (12 miles north-west), Epsom (8 miles north), Horley (8 miles south-east), Redhill (7 miles east) and Ewell (9 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include Mesolithic Museum (3.9 miles south-west) and Headley Court (4.8 miles north-east). Open spaces near Dorking include Reigate Heath and Box Hill.
- Nearby schools include The Ashcombe School (0.6 miles north) and The Ashcombe School (0.6 miles north)
- Local pubs include The Wheatsheaf Public House (within half a mile north-west)
- Local facilities include Pippbrook House (0.5 miles north)
The process
The first sign we’ve arrived is normally the smell, about the time the first visitors wander across. After that, it’s a steady flow to the hatch. Winter fairs in Dorking are dark by about 3:55pm, so pitches need lighting; in late May there’s light until about 8:50pm.
- We start with a few details about your event.
- We check the date and where the van will park, then send a quote.
- Timings and the van’s spot are agreed in advance.
- We cook to order on the day for your visitors.
- Everything goes out hot from the hatch, and we pack up afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Make sure the van can get in
- Let us know the serving time
- Arrange somewhere dry for the queue
How to get a price
Every booking is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually need. For a quote, use our quote form.
Related guides
What affects the price in Dorking
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Service time
- Distance and any road charges
- Whether a minimum applies
- Your choice of menu
There is no one-size-fits-all price for a fish and chip van. A one-hour staff lunch is a different job from serving all afternoon at a fête. Your quote spells it all out.
Getting an accurate quote
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- Your date and serving time
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Roughly how many people, including children
- A picture of where the van would go
Every quote is worked out for your event. Give us your date first, and we’ll check availability right away.
Before you choose a spot
A fish and chip van is a vehicle, so the spot matters, so a few things need checking. These are the things we check:
- Information about power and water
- A queue area clear of rides and games
- A wet-weather pitch on hard standing
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
From the hatch
- Cod and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Curry sauce
- Chips
- Mushy peas
- Sausage and chips
Towns and villages near Dorking
Other occasions in Dorking
For planners, venues and organisers
For repeat bookings, such as regular staff lunches or annual fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Your questions about a fish and chip van for your event in Dorking
Can you come to a school fair in Dorking?
Yes, with the school’s permission. Tell us the date and pitch details.
Which station is closest to Dorking?
The closest is Dorking Deepdene station, roughly 0.6 miles away.
Can you come to a school event?
Yes, once the school agrees where the van goes. Tell us the date and where the van would park.
What happens if it rains?
We carry on in the rain, because the fryers are inside. Soft ground after heavy rain is the bigger issue, so have a hard-surface spot in mind.
What can visitors choose from?
Fish and chips, of course, plus sausage or pie and chips. The sides are mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy.
Do you do crew food?
Yes. Give us numbers and a time.
Do you take everything away?
The pitch is left as we found it. Bins for visitors are worth planning.
Where do you take the van?
We take the van across London and the South East, Surrey included. Find your area.
- 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