Kent · England
Festivals, fêtes and school events in Shirkoak, Kent
From the smell of the fryers to the last chip in the paper, a fish and chip van for your event makes the food a highlight of your event in Shirkoak.
- Village fêtes
- Food for volunteers
- Church fêtes and fish and chip suppers
Book the van in Shirkoak
How the day works
We get there well before service, set up and bring the oil up to temperature. Your visitors can wander over to the hatch once service starts. Summer fêtes in Shirkoak have long light evenings, with sunset about 9:15pm at midsummer, but by late September the light goes at about 7:00pm.
- Contact us with the basics: when, where and roughly how many.
- Show us where the van would go, and we will confirm it works.
- Closer to the day, we confirm the arrival time and serving time.
- We park, open the hatch and start frying for your visitors.
- Once the last portion is out, we pack up and go.
Getting ready for the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Clear the route for the van
- Arrange somewhere dry for the queue
How to get a price
Thinking about a fish and chip van for your event for your event in Shirkoak? Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back with a quote. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
About our fish and chip van for events in Shirkoak
When there is hot food, people stay longer. We’re often asked to cater country shows and village fêtes, with sausage and chips, cod and chips and chips.
Rural events near Shirkoak can be a long way from anywhere to eat, so fish and chips goes down well. Let us know about allergies and dietary needs in advance, and we’ll tell you honestly what we can offer.
Community events around Shirkoak
Shirkoak is about 5 miles south-west of Ashford, in Kent. Around Shirkoak, we park wherever there is level, firm ground. Shirkoak is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we bring the van. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 19 miles away.
For visitors coming by rail, the nearest station is Ham Street station, about 4 miles south-east. An event in Stone Wood means agreeing traders and vehicle routes with the landowner, typically the council.
We cover events in every part of the TN26 postcode area and the streets around it. That could mean an event at a home on Bethersden Road, Shirkoak Park and Redbrook Street, as long as there’s somewhere for the van. Other places close to Shirkoak we cover include Woodchurch (1 mile south), Brattle (1 mile south), Brook Street (2 miles south), Leigh Green (3 miles south-west) and Appledore Heath (4 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Ashford (5 miles north-east), Hythe (14 miles east), Tenterden (4 miles south-west), Bearsted (15 miles north-west), Park Wood (14 miles north-west) and Kennington (7 miles north-east).
Nearby you will also find Romden Castle (4.6 miles north-west) and Woodchurch Village Life Museum (0.7 miles south). The countryside around Shirkoak includes Orlestone Forest.
- Nearby, you will find The Bonny Cravat Inn (0.7 miles south)
A fish and chip van or other catering?
One good hot-food van can be enough at a smaller event, with cakes and teas alongside. Many fish and chip vans set a minimum, because the van, fuel and travel cost the same for a small group. We will tell you up front.
Why us?
- A van that becomes part of the event
- The classic sides: peas, curry sauce and gravy
- Everything cooked to order at your event
- Hot food handed straight over
Planning the van’s spot
Plenty of places work for the van, but a few things matter:
- A level, firm pitch the van can drive onto
- Vehicle access before the gates open and after they close
- A wet-weather pitch on hard standing
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before you book.
What we serve
- Haddock and chips
- Mushy peas
- Chips
- Sausage and chips
- Curry sauce
- Cod and chips
Prices and what affects them
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- The number of meals
- Cod, haddock or both
- The minimum booking
- How long we serve
The date matters too: peak summer weekends and Christmas party Fridays book up first. Ask about your date early.
What to tell us
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- Where you’d like the van to go
- Anything awkward about the way in
- Expected numbers
- The venue or postcode
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Tell us about your event in Shirkoak, and we will come back with availability and a quote.
Places near Shirkoak
What else we do in Shirkoak
Perfect for your event in Shirkoak
It is a hot meal for helpers as well.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Sports club events and race days
- Community festivals
- Charity fundraisers and community events
- Country shows
Church fêtes, at churches such as Parish Church of All Saints, are a natural home for a chip van.
Comparing caterers
- The deadline for final numbers
- What happens if the event is cancelled or moved
- How long service runs, and what happens if you overrun
- How allergens are handled
Working with your venue
Parks, greens and streets normally need permission for a catering van. The council or landowner will tell you what they need.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Takeaway run or book a van?
Ordering in from a local chip shop is an option. 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.
Ordering from a local shop? Call ahead and collect at the last minute. For anything more than a handful of people, a van is normally the easier option.
Common questions in Shirkoak
Can the van park in Stone Wood?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, normally the council. Ask them first, and tell us what they say.
Is Shirkoak 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.
How fast is service?
That depends on numbers, menu and timing. Give us your numbers and service window, and we will plan to keep the queue moving.
Can coeliacs eat the battered fish?
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.
Do you do school fairs and sports days?
We do. We will agree access before the children arrive.
Do you do anything other than fish?
There is: sausage and chips or pie and chips. Give us a rough idea of numbers.
Can the van come to our fair?
Yes, where the date suits. Send us the date, location and expected numbers.
What are the terms for events?
That varies: a pitch fee, a share of takings or a guaranteed minimum. We’ll agree it in writing.
About the food
Sausage and chips
Sausage and chips covers anyone who doesn’t want fish, and it’s a favourite with children.
Pie and chips
Pie and chips gives people a filling alternative to fish.
- 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