Medway · England
Funeral and Wake Catering for Cooling events
We bring fish and chips for the wake to Cooling and nearby, cooking to order on site.
- A tribute meal
- Family meals after the service
- Wakes at home
Funeral and wake catering for Cooling events
Funeral and wake catering in Cooling, fried fresh
After a funeral, people want somewhere to gather and something comforting to eat. For many families, fish and chips is exactly that. Typical bookings include small family memorials and wakes at a pub or venue with outside space, serving gravy, pie and chips and mushy peas.
In rural Cooling, home or the hall is usual, with the van in the yard or car park. Let us know about allergies and dietary needs in advance, and we will be straight with you about what we can do before you book.
Wake catering near Cooling
Cooling is about 5 miles north of Rochester, in Medway. Anywhere in ME3, we will come to your venue, home or workplace. We serve 68 places in Medway, from the larger towns to small villages. We serve events right across the region, from Cooling to London (27 miles away).
If relatives are coming by rail, Higham station, about 3.3 miles south-west, is the nearest station.
We cover wakes in every part of the ME3 postcode area and the streets around it. Whether your wake is on Main Road and Cooling Road or anywhere nearby, we’ll bring the van to you. If your venue is just outside Cooling, we also cover Cooling Street (1 mile south-west), High Halstow (2 miles east), Sharnal Street (2 miles south-east), Fenn Street (2 miles east) and Chattenden (2 miles south). We also serve nearby towns such as Gillingham (6 miles south), Chatham (7 miles south), Rochester (5 miles south), Rainham (7 miles south-east), Strood (5 miles south-west) and Luton (6 miles south).
A little further out are Upnor Castle (3.4 miles south) and French Hospital (4.8 miles south). Open spaces near Cooling include Canvey Wick and Gad's Hill.
Also near Cooling
Other occasions in Cooling
Prices and what affects them
Your quote will be clear. What affects it most:
- Numbers
- Cod, haddock or both
- Distance and any road charges
- Access and parking
A chip van frequently compares well with a plated meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and nothing to wash up. We will send you a quote.
Details that help
To speed things up, tell us:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Where the van would park
- The date and when you’d like to eat
- A picture of where the van would go
Send us the date, the address or ME3 postcode and rough numbers, plus when you’d like to eat, and you will get a clear price. Just fill in our quote form.
Before you choose a spot
Every site is different, so we will ask about yours when you get in touch. In general, we need:
- A spot near your guests
- A clear area by the serving hatch
- The site’s agreement to a catering van
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
What we serve
- Cod and chips
- Mushy peas
- Gravy
- Haddock and chips
- Pie and chips
- Sausage and chips
Planners, venues and businesses
For larger numbers, tell us how long you have for food, so we can plan how to keep the queue short. Sending people up in groups helps.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Why fried-to-order beats a buffet
Next to a buffet, fish and chips is hot and simple, which helps when numbers are hard to predict. The cost per head usually falls as numbers rise, because the van, travel and set-up cost much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What you get with us
- All the chip-shop extras
- No kitchen, no crockery, no washing up
- Served hot, straight from the hatch
- Bookings across Medway, including Cooling
Read our pricing and our guide to van hire costs.
Can’t we just order from the chip shop?
A DIY buffet works for small groups. For larger numbers, or when you want hot food, a van takes the pressure off, and nobody has to miss the wake.
Doing the food yourself saves money, but the host ends up running around. Booking the van means hot food and no stress.
How it works
Expect a friendly, organised set-up. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, park on the agreed spot, and get on with frying and serving. Late-December sunset in Cooling is about 3:50pm, so an afternoon wake in winter needs lighting near the van. In summer, there is daylight until about 9:20pm.
- Start with three things: the date, the place and a rough headcount.
- A picture of the parking spot helps us check the van will fit.
- Closer to the day, we confirm the arrival time and serving time.
- We park, open the hatch and start frying for family and friends.
- Once the last portion is out, we pack up and go.
How to prepare
- Leave room in front of the hatch for a queue
- Give us your final numbers and allergies
- Arrange somewhere dry for the queue
Getting a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: where the van would park, how to get in, numbers and timings. A photo of the spot helps too. To send your details, use our quote form.
Read more
Cooling: your questions answered
Can you serve after a service at St James' Church?
Yes, at a nearby hall, home or venue with somewhere for the van. Food is usually served at the reception venue rather than the church. Send us the address.
Is Cooling 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.
What can guests choose from?
Chip-shop favourites: cod, haddock, chips, sausages and pies, with mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy. Our menu has the details.
How much space do you need?
Not much: a drive, a car park, a yard or a firm lawn, with a clear way in. Send us a photo if you’re not sure.
Can a friend deal with you?
Yes. We can work with whoever is helping you.
Can the van come to Cooling?
Yes, we do. We serve events in Cooling and across Medway. Tell us your date and we will check availability.
Is grass a problem?
Often, if the ground is firm and dry. After heavy rain, soft grass can be a problem for any vehicle, so have a hard-surface back-up.
Does the batter contain gluten?
Our battered fish contains gluten, because standard batter uses wheat flour. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance, and we will be straight with you about what’s possible.
Looking after everyone
We take allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Let us know of any allergies
- Funeral directors can help with numbers
- Ask the venue about the van
- Arrange tea and coffee separately
Remember the journey from the service when choosing a serving time.
Some families add a favourite dessert or cake.
What comes out of the fryer
Sausage and chips
A sausage and chips is the chip-shop classic for younger guests and fish-dodgers, especially with curry sauce.
Pie and chips
Pie and chips gives people a filling alternative to fish, perfect with gravy.
- 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