East Sussex · England
Funeral and wake catering in Chailey, East Sussex
Something for almost everyone: fish and chips, sausages and pies, plus mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy on the side. Funeral and wake catering in Chailey.
- Memorial gatherings
- Gatherings at a village hall or club
- Gatherings after the committal
Funeral and wake catering for Chailey events
Your questions about fish and chips for the wake in Chailey
Do you come to venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules for vehicles; ask your venue. We’ll follow the site rules.
How far is Chailey from London?
Roughly 37 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Do you fry it on site?
Yes. We fry to order in the van at your venue, and serve straight from the hatch.
How much space do you need?
Level, firm ground the van can reach, near your guests, and space for a queue. Mention any narrow gates or soft ground.
How do you handle allergies?
Yes, we can tell you which allergens are in each item. Battered fish contains fish and, in standard batter, gluten. Tell us about allergies in advance.
How long does set-up take?
We get there in good time to set up. We’ll agree arrival and serving times with you.
What happens if it rains?
We cook inside the van, so rain doesn’t stop us. Guests will appreciate cover near the hatch.
Can the van park on grass?
Typically, if it is firm and dry. After heavy rain, soft grass can be a problem for any vehicle, so plan a back-up spot.
Funeral and wake catering for your wake in Chailey
The wake can be at home, at a village hall or club, or at a venue with space outside, wherever the van can park. We serve cod and chips, mushy peas and gravy, and we’re often booked for remembrance gatherings and memorial gatherings.
For a wake near Chailey, a farmhouse or village hall frequently works well, with the van in the yard or car park. Let us know about allergies and dietary needs in advance, and we’ll be straight with you about what we can do.
- Location
- Chailey (BN8)
- County
- East Sussex
- On the menu
- Cod, haddock, chips, sausages, pies
- On the side
- Mushy peas, curry sauce, gravy
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 24 October 2026
DIY versus a fish and chip van
If you do order from a chip shop, ring well ahead and collect as close to eating time as you can. For anything more than a handful of people, a van is normally the easier option.
Collecting fish and chips for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s hard work. Long waits and a drive home mean food arrives lukewarm and soggy. A van fries it right there, so it’s crisp.
Food your guests will love
Curry sauce
Some people will not eat chips without curry sauce, so we bring it along.
Cod and chips
Cod is the classic: mild, white and flaky, and it’s what most people in the south ask for. It’s battered and fried to order, so it’s crisp when it reaches you.
What the van needs
Before the day, we’ll agree where the van parks. It needs to tick a few simple boxes:
- A clear way in, with no low branches, cables or narrow gates
- Confirmation that the van can park there
- Lighting nearby for evening events
Not sure about the spot? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
From the hatch
- Haddock and chips
- Mushy peas
- Cod and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Gravy
- Pie and chips
Is a fish and chip van right for your wake?
A sit-down meal can feel formal. Fish and chips lets people mingle. The price depends on numbers, the menu and how long we serve, plus travel and access. Every booking gets its own quote.
Why book our van in Chailey
- The classic sides: peas, curry sauce and gravy
- Rain doesn’t stop the fryers
- A quote that spells everything out
- We cover Chailey and the whole of East Sussex
Take a look at how we price and our guide to van hire costs.
Other occasions in Chailey
After a funeral in Chailey
Chailey is about 5 miles south-east of Haywards Heath, in East Sussex. Across the BN8 area, we can fry fresh for your guests. We take the van to all 289 towns and villages in East Sussex. Our bookings stretch from Chailey to Brighton (10 miles away).
For anyone coming to the funeral by train, Plumpton station, about 3.1 miles south-west, is the nearest station. Chailey is within about 6 miles of the South Downs National Park; tell us about access if the wake is somewhere rural.
This part of East Sussex takes in BN8, so your wake can be anywhere in it. For wakes just outside Chailey, we cover North Chailey (1 mile north), South Street (1 mile south-west), Newick (1 mile north-east), Founthill (1 mile east) and South Chailey (2 miles south-west). Further out, we also take the van to Seaford (14 miles south), Lewes (6 miles south), Hailsham (13 miles south-east), Crowborough (10 miles north-east), Uckfield (5 miles east) and Newhaven (12 miles south).
Other landmarks nearby include Princess Royal Hospital (4.1 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Blackcap and Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve.
- Local schools include Chailey Heritage School (1.2 miles north-west) and Chailey School (1.6 miles south-west)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Five Bells Inn (0.5 miles south-west)
Why choose funeral and wake catering in Chailey?
It is one less thing to organise.
These are some of the bookings we take in Chailey and East Sussex:
- Gatherings at home after a funeral
- Memorial gatherings
- Wakes at venues
- Memorial events and anniversaries
If the funeral is at a church such as The Parish Church of St Peter, a hall or home nearby keeps the journey to the wake short.
Questions to ask before you book
- When final numbers are due
- Whether VAT is included
- How many hours the van serves
- What they can offer for dietary needs
Allergies and dietary needs
A little planning makes sure everyone is looked after. Try these:
- Ask your funeral director to help estimate numbers
- Ask a friend to run a tea table
- Plan seating for older guests
- Tell us about any close family with allergies
Seats for older guests near the hall or house help.
Napkins and bins near the van keep things tidy.
How it works
We work to your timings. If the day runs behind, we hold off cooking until you’re ready, so the food is still fresh when it’s served. Sunset in Chailey is about 7:05pm in late September and about 3:55pm in December; plan a lit path from the door to the van.
- You share your date, numbers and address.
- We check access for the van and quote.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- Fish goes into the batter and straight into the fryer, to order.
- Service is straight from the hatch, then we pack up.
Preparing for the day
- Share the timings for the day
- Plan a bit of cover near the hatch if rain is likely
- Name one person we can call on the day
Ask for a quote
Planning fish and chips for the wake in Chailey? Send us the details and we will reply with a clear price. To get in touch, use our quote form.
Read more
Planners, venues and businesses
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we’ll talk you through the process. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on parking and timings.
Parks, greens and streets typically need permission for a catering van. Ask the council or landowner early.
- 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