Isle of Wight · England
Funeral and Wake Catering for Forest Side events
We bring fish and chips for the wake across Forest Side and the Isle of Wight, frying fresh at your venue and serving from the hatch.
- Wakes at a pub or venue with outside space
- Remembrance gatherings
- Gatherings at a village hall or club
Funeral and wake catering for Forest Side events
About our funeral and wake catering in Forest Side
Food is fried to order, so it’s hot when people arrive. We are frequently asked to cater gatherings at home after a funeral and family meals after the service, serving gravy, sausage and chips and pie and chips.
Near Forest Side, wakes are often at home or in the hall. Let us know about access. Tell us about dietary needs and allergies when you enquire, and we’ll be straight with you about what we can do before booking.
- Area
- Forest Side (PO30)
- Area hub
- Isle of Wight
- Menu
- Fish and chips, sausages, pies
- On the side
- Gravy, mushy peas, curry sauce
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 24 October 2026
Why fried-to-order beats a buffet
Making food yourself for a wake is a lot to take on. We do the cooking. Got a budget? Let us know, and we will suggest a menu and timing to match. Keeping the menu short is typically the best value.
Why Forest Side hosts choose us
- Fish and chips fried fresh on site
- No kitchen, no crockery, no washing up
- A quote that spells everything out
- We cook inside the van, whatever the weather
Take a look at our prices page or what a fish and chip van costs.
Should I sort the food myself?
Not sure whether to order in or book a van? Consider your numbers and how fresh you want it. We’re happy to send a quote so you can compare.
A DIY buffet works for small groups. For larger numbers, or when you want hot food, a van takes the pressure off, and you get to enjoy the day.
Food your guests will love
Gravy
A pot of gravy turns chips into comfort food.
Mushy peas
Mushy peas are made from dried marrowfat peas, soaked and cooked until soft. They’re the classic side with fish and chips.
The process
We take care of the food from arrival to the last chip, so you can get on with your wake in Forest Side. In Forest Side, it’s dark by about 7:10pm in late September and 4:00pm in December, so a lit path to the van is a kindness to older guests.
- Get in touch with the basics: when, where and roughly how many.
- Show us where the van would go, and we’ll confirm it works.
- Closer to the day, we confirm the arrival time and serving time.
- The van rolls up, the hatch opens and the fryers get going for family and friends.
- Once the last portion is out, we pack up and go.
How to prepare
- Choose a level, firm spot for the van
- Leave room in front of the hatch for a queue
- Think about a gazebo by the van in case of rain
Ask for a quote
The quickest way to a quote is to send us your details through our quote form. Give us the details of your wake, and we will check the date and send a price.
Related guides
For event organisers in Forest Side
For big groups, the service window matters, so we can plan service to match. Staggering groups helps a lot.
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers and vehicles: parking spots, arrival times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work through them with you.
Also near Forest Side
More for events in Forest Side
Where the van can park in Forest Side
We will agree the van’s spot with you before the day. It needs to tick a few simple boxes:
- A lit spot if service runs after dark
- A short walk from the party
- Permission from the venue or landowner for the van
Forest Side is a more remote spot, so tell us early and we will plan the journey.
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and the way in, and we will say what we think before booking.
From the hatch
- Cod and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Mushy peas
- Gravy
- Pie and chips
Arranging a wake in Forest Side
Forest Side is about 1 mile north-west of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. From the centre of Forest Side to the outskirts, the service works the same way: fresh frying, hot food from the hatch and a clear price. We cover 125 places in the Isle of Wight. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 15 miles away.
The coast is within about 4 miles of Forest Side.
This part of the Isle of Wight takes in PO30. Whether your wake is on Forest Road and Gunville Road or a nearby road, we can park up and fry there. For wakes just outside Forest Side, we cover Hunny Hill (1 mile east), Parkhurst (1 mile north-east), Noke Common (1 mile north-east), Porchfield (2 miles north-west) and Locksgreen (2 miles west). We also serve nearby towns such as Ryde (7 miles east), Cowes (4 miles north), Sandown (8 miles south-east), Shanklin (8 miles south-east), Ventnor (9 miles south-east) and East Cowes (4 miles north-east). If your wake is somewhere remote, let us know early and we will plan the trip.
Well-known places in the area include Carisbrooke Castle (1.3 miles south) and St Mary's Hospital (1 mile east). Green spaces nearby include Mill Hill and Briddlesford Nature Reserve.
- Schools near Forest Side include Hunnyhill Primary School (0.7 miles east) and Island Innovation VI Form Campus (1.3 miles south-east)
Perfect for your wake in Forest Side
There is little waste, because food is cooked to order.
A fish and chip van suits almost any gathering. People in Forest Side book the van for events such as:
- Wakes at a pub or venue with outside space
- Scattering of ashes gatherings
- Wakes at church halls and clubs
- Family gatherings after a burial or cremation
If the funeral is at a church such as St. Mary's Church, a hall or home nearby keeps the journey to the wake short.
Before you book anyone
- The cancellation terms
- Whether VAT is included
- What the van needs: space, access, power
- Whether travel is included
Looking after everyone
A little planning makes sure everyone is looked after. Try these:
- Cater for a few more than you expect
- Arrange tea and coffee separately
- Build in time for delays
- Mention allergies you know about
Afterwards, we leave quietly.
Some families add a favourite dessert or cake.
Forest Side: your questions answered
Is Forest Side 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.
Could you trade in Seaclose Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, typically the council. Check with them first, and tell us what they say.
When do you arrive?
It depends on numbers and the service time. We confirm all the timings beforehand.
Do you take everything away?
The pitch is left as we found it. Bins for guests are worth planning.
Do you come to Forest Side?
Yes, we do. Forest Side is one of the places we cover. Send us your date to check availability.
What does it cost to hire the van?
We quote for each booking, so the price fits what you need. Give us your date, numbers and serving time for a clear quote.
Do you have allergen information?
We provide allergen information for everything we serve. Battered fish contains fish and, in standard batter, gluten. Tell us about allergies in advance.
What if the service runs late?
Yes. We start when you’re ready.
- 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