Hampshire · England
Fish and Chip Van for Events for Matchams events
A menu everybody knows: cod or haddock in batter, chips, sausages and pies, with mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy. Book a fish and chip van for your event in Matchams.
- Food for volunteers
- Village fêtes
- Sports tournaments
Fresh fish and chips in Matchams
Fish and chip van for events in Matchams, cooked to order
The van is self-sufficient on the pitch, so we need little help from busy volunteers. Typical bookings include village fêtes and summer fairs and food for volunteers, serving chips, haddock and chips and mushy peas.
A fête near Matchams might be on a field with no mains power; let us know and we will plan for it. Everything we need comes with the van, and we pack up and leave the spot as we found it.
Fairs, fêtes and events in Matchams
Matchams is in Hampshire. In and around Matchams, the van can serve from a drive, a yard, a car park or a firm field, close to your visitors. Matchams is one of 683 towns and villages in Hampshire where we bring the van. We serve events right across the region, from Matchams to Southampton (about 20 miles away).
Within about 6 miles is the New Forest National Park, where events may have extra rules on vehicles and waste; we work to the site rules.
Anywhere in BH24, we can bring the van to you. Streets in the area include Maple Walk, Ash Tree Close and Sycamore Way, and the van can serve an event on any of them with a suitable parking spot. Close by, we cover events in Avon Castle (1 mile north-east), St Ives (1 mile north), St Leonards (1 mile north-west) and Ashley Heath (2 miles north-west). Further out, we also take the van to Totton (15 miles north-east), Lymington (12 miles east), New Milton (8 miles south-east), Ringwood (3 miles north-east), Barton on Sea (8 miles south-east) and Ashley (9 miles south-east).
Other landmarks nearby include St Leonard's Hospital (1.7 miles west). Green spaces nearby include St Catherine's Hill and Blashford Lakes.
Questions from Matchams
Could you trade in Avon Heath Country Park?
Only if the landowner, typically the council, allows it. Ask them first, and tell us what they say.
Do you come to venues in the New Forest National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules for vehicles; ask your venue. We will work to whatever the site needs.
How soon do we need to book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends and December. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Does the batter contain gluten?
Our battered fish contains gluten, because standard batter uses wheat flour. Tell us about coeliac visitors when you enquire, and we will tell you honestly what we can offer.
What does it cost to hire the van?
The price depends on numbers, menu, service time and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
Is the food cooked at the event?
Yes. We cook inside the van, so it’s fried on the spot, rather than made in advance.
Is there a non-fish option?
We serve sausages and pies as well as fish. Tell us about other diets and we will be honest about what’s possible.
Can you come to a school event?
Yes. We’ll agree access before the children arrive.
How the day works
Because we cook inside the van, rain doesn’t stop us. Visitors will still appreciate a bit of cover near the hatch. Winter fairs in Matchams are dark by about 4:05pm, so we need a lit pitch; in late May there’s light until about 8:55pm.
- Send us your date, numbers and address.
- We check the route in and send a price.
- We arrive early to park and heat the fryers.
- Everything is fried to order as the queue moves.
- We serve hot from the hatch and pack up when we’re done.
How to prepare
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Choose a level, firm spot for the van
- Confirm numbers and dietary needs before the day
Get a quote
Each quote is put together for your event. Give us your date first, and we’ll check availability right away.
Related guides
Why fried-to-order beats a buffet
Next to a volunteer barbecue, a chip van frees your helpers. Larger groups normally cost less per head, 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
- Rain doesn’t stop the fryers
- The classic sides: peas, curry sauce and gravy
- The queue at the hatch gets people talking
- Fish and chips fried fresh on site
Take a look at our prices page and what a fish and chip van costs.
Places near Matchams
More for events in Matchams
For planners, venues and organisers
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Matchams? A fish and chip van draws people in and almost everyone likes it. Tell us about the event and we will take it from there.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Can’t we just order from the chip shop?
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.
Deep-frying for lots of people at home is risky: big pans of hot oil, children and garden parties do not mix. A van is designed for exactly this.
Allergies and dietary needs
With a little notice, diets are easier to plan for. Our advice:
- Ask traders for allergen information to display
- Agree the terms in writing
- Offer a choice of traders where you can
- Set a time for helpers’ food
Crew food is served at the agreed time.
Let visitors know there is a chip van.
Events we cater in Matchams
Rain does not stop the fryers.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Club open days
- School summer fairs
- Crew and volunteer catering
- Community open days
If your event is in Avon Heath Country Park, the organiser will need the landowner’s permission for vehicles and traders.
What to look for in a quote
- What happens if the event is cancelled or moved
- How late numbers can change
- Travel, tolls and road charges
- The minimum number of meals or minimum spend
Planning the van’s spot
Before the day, we will agree where the van parks. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Confirmation the van can trade there
- Firm, level ground for the pitch
- Information about power and water
Not sure about the spot? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
On the menu in Matchams
- Cod and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Curry sauce
- Mushy peas
- Haddock and chips
- Chips
A closer look at the menu
Haddock and chips
Haddock has a slightly sweeter flavour and a firmer flake. In the north and in Scotland, haddock is the classic.
Mushy peas
Mushy peas are made from dried marrowfat peas, soaked and cooked until soft. They’re the classic side with fish and chips.
- 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