West Sussex · England
Funeral and Wake Catering in Colgate
Something for almost everyone: cod or haddock in batter, chips, sausages and pies, plus mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy on the side. Funeral and wake catering in Colgate.
- Scattering of ashes gatherings
- Wakes at a pub or venue with outside space
- A wake at the family home
Book the van in Colgate
DIY versus a fish and chip 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 guests instead.
For a small group, making your own food can work. For bigger numbers, a van makes life easier, and you get to enjoy the day.
Funeral and wake catering for your wake in Colgate
Sometimes fish and chips was the favourite meal of the person being remembered, which makes it a fitting tribute. Typical bookings include small family memorials and life celebrations, serving sausage and chips, cod and chips and haddock and chips.
Near Colgate, wakes are frequently at home or in the hall. Tell us about lanes and the ground. The menu is short on purpose: fewer choices means fresher food and shorter queues.
- Area
- Colgate (RH13, RH12)
- County
- West Sussex
- From the fryer
- Fish and chips, sausages, pies
- Sides
- Curry sauce, mushy peas and gravy
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 24 October 2026
Perfect for your wake in Colgate
There is little waste, because food is cooked to order.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Wakes at church halls and clubs
- Memorial events and anniversaries
- Gatherings after scattering ashes
- Celebrations of life
For a service at a church like St. Saviour's Church, choosing a wake venue nearby helps older guests.
Questions to ask before booking
- Allergen information for each item
- How late numbers can change
- The van’s size and access needs
- Whether there is a minimum
For event organisers in Colgate
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
If your event is in a public place, such as a park or a street, check what permission you need first. Ask the council or landowner early.
What comes out of the fryer
Sausage and chips
Sausage and chips is the go-to for anyone who is not a fish fan.
Mushy peas
Mushy peas are a must for plenty of fish and chip fans, and they’re on the menu.
Arranging a wake in Colgate
Colgate is about 3 miles south-west of Crawley, in West Sussex. Colgate is well within our area, so all we need is your date, a parking spot and a time to serve. We cover 371 places in West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We serve events right across the region, from Colgate to Brighton (18 miles away).
For anyone coming to the funeral by train, Faygate station, about 1.3 miles north-west, is the nearest station.
We take the van to wakes all over the RH13 and RH12 postcode area. Whether your wake is on Forest Road, Vicarage Close and Blackhouse Road or a nearby road, we’ll bring the van to you. If your venue is just outside Colgate, we also cover Kilnwood Vale (1 mile north), Faygate (1 mile north-west), Broadfield (2 miles north-east), Roffey (2 miles west) and Handcross (3 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Crawley (3 miles north-east), Horsham (4 miles west), Haywards Heath (9 miles south-east), Burgess Hill (10 miles south-east), East Grinstead (11 miles east) and Storrington (14 miles south-west).
Nearby you will also find Crawley Museum (3.4 miles north-east) and County Mall (3.4 miles north-east). Within reach you’ll find Tilgate Lake and Warnham LNR.
- Local schools include Cottesmore School (1.3 miles east) and Holy Trinity CofE Secondary School (2.2 miles north-east)
- Pubs nearby include The Dragon pub (less than half a mile west)
Allergies and dietary needs
We take allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Have chairs for those who need them
- Cater for a few more than you expect
- Check the hall has an urn
- Let us know of any allergies
Remember the journey from the service when choosing a serving time.
A tea table run by a friend is a comfort.
What happens on the day
Because we cook inside the van, rain doesn’t stop us. It is worth thinking about cover for the queue, though. In Colgate, it’s dark by about 7:05pm in late September and 3:55pm in December.
- Tell us what you’re planning and when you’d like to eat.
- You hear back on the date and the price.
- The van’s spot is fixed in advance.
- On the day, everything is cooked to order, so nothing sits in a hot cabinet.
- The pitch is left tidy when we go.
How to prepare
- Give us your final numbers and allergies
- Let us know the serving time
- Check the venue or landowner is happy for the van to park
Getting a price
Still finalising the details? That’s fine: tell us the basics about your wake, and we will quote on that. Start when you are ready: use our quote form.
Planning help
What the van needs
A fish and chip van is a vehicle, so the spot matters, so a few things need checking. Here’s what we look for:
- The site’s agreement to a catering van
- A lit spot if service runs after dark
- A clear area by the serving hatch
Not sure about the spot? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
From the hatch
- Sausage and chips
- Mushy peas
- Haddock and chips
- Gravy
- Cod and chips
- Pie and chips
A chip van compared with other options
For warm food after a funeral, fish and chips from a van works well. Cost depends on numbers, menu and service time, along with distance and access to the site. Every booking gets its own quote.
What you get with us
- All the chip-shop extras
- Bookings across West Sussex, including Colgate
- Everything cooked to order at your event
- A quote that spells everything out
Take a look at our pricing or our guide to van hire costs.
Places near Colgate
More for events in Colgate
Questions from Colgate
How far is Colgate from London?
Roughly 30 miles from the centre of London.
Can the van park in Target Hill Park?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Ask them first, and tell us what they say.
Can you come to the house?
Yes, if there is somewhere level and firm to park the van close to the house.
Is the food cooked at the event?
Yes, always. Everything is fried fresh in the van, then handed over hot from the hatch.
How long are you on site?
It depends on numbers and the service time. We agree arrival, serving and finishing times with you before the day.
How many people should we cater for?
Give us your best estimate, and we’ll plan with a little extra.
Can you go on a lawn or field?
Normally, if it’s firm and dry. After heavy rain, soft grass can be a problem for any vehicle, so plan a back-up spot.
What does the van need?
A level, firm spot it can drive onto, close to where people will eat, and space for a queue. Mention any narrow gates or soft ground.
- 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