Buckinghamshire · England
Funeral and wake catering in Hartwell, Buckinghamshire
We bring fish and chips for the wake across Hartwell and Buckinghamshire, frying fresh at your venue.
- Gatherings after scattering ashes
- Celebrations of life
- Gatherings at home after a funeral
Planning an event in Hartwell?
Is a fish and chip van right for your wake?
Some venues offer wake menus. A van works where they do not, or at home. The cost per head typically falls as numbers rise, because the van, travel and set-up cost much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
Why book with us
- Classic food your guests already know
- We cover Hartwell and the whole of Buckinghamshire
- Served hot, straight from the hatch
- Mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy on the side
Take a look at our prices page or our guide to van hire costs.
How our funeral and wake catering works in Hartwell
Wakes are rarely planned months ahead, so contact us as soon as you can. We’re often asked to cater remembrance gatherings and wakes at home, serving mushy peas, cod and chips and gravy.
For a wake near Hartwell, a farmhouse or village hall frequently works well. Let us know about allergies and dietary needs in advance, and we’ll tell you honestly what we can offer.
- Where
- Hartwell (HP17)
- County
- Buckinghamshire
- From the fryer
- Cod, haddock, chips, sausages, pies
- Extras
- Gravy, mushy peas, curry sauce
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 24 October 2026
FAQs for Hartwell
We’re gathering after a service at St Mary's Church: can you come?
Yes, at a home, hall or venue nearby where the van can park. Food is generally served at the reception venue rather than the church. Tell us where you will gather.
Do you come out to small places like Hartwell?
Not at all. We serve villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
Can the van come to Hartwell?
Yes, we do. We serve events in Hartwell and across Buckinghamshire. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
When do you arrive?
We arrive well before service to park and heat the fryers. Timings are agreed in advance so food is ready when you want it.
What if the service runs late?
Yes. We serve when people are ready.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes, children are easy to cater for. Let us know numbers, and we’ll plan for them.
Can you come to the house?
Yes, with a suitable spot for the van.
What if the weather’s bad?
We carry on in the rain, because the cooking happens inside. Soft ground after heavy rain is the bigger issue, so have a hard-surface spot in mind.
Occasions we serve in Hartwell
There’s no kitchen work for anyone.
In Hartwell and nearby, the van turns up at all sorts of events. Some of the most common are:
- Celebrations of life
- A wake at the family home
- Memorial events and anniversaries
- Gatherings after the committal
For family travelling by train, Aylesbury station, about 1.7 miles east, is the nearest station.
Before you book anyone
- Whether VAT is included
- The minimum number of meals or minimum spend
- Whether travel is included
- How long service runs, and what happens if you overrun
Also near Hartwell
More for events in Hartwell
The process
Service is quick: food goes from the fryer to the hatch. Afterwards we pack up. In Hartwell, it is dark by about 7:05pm in late September and 3:55pm in December, so a lit path to the van is a kindness to older guests.
- First, the plan: what, where and what time.
- 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.
Preparing for the day
- Give us your final numbers and allergies
- Have a level parking spot ready
- Keep space clear for guests at the hatch
Ask for a quote
Each quote is put together for your wake. Give us your date first, and we will check availability straight away.
Related guides
Can’t we just order from the chip shop?
Weighing up a takeaway order against booking a van? Think about numbers, timing and how hot you want the food. We are happy to send a quote so you can compare.
Some hosts try a takeaway order. Large orders are slow, and the food cools in the bags. A van solves that by cooking on site.
Before you choose a spot
A good parking spot makes the whole thing easier. We need:
- A spot near your guests
- Confirmation that the van can park there
- A route in without tight gates or low branches
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
On the menu in Hartwell
- Haddock and chips
- Mushy peas
- Sausage and chips
- Gravy
- Pie and chips
- Cod and chips
What comes out of the fryer
Haddock and chips
Haddock has a slightly sweeter flavour and a firmer flake. It’s the traditional favourite in Scotland and much of the north.
Gravy
Gravy brings a bit of warmth to the meal.
For event organisers in Hartwell
For big groups, the service window matters, so we can plan how to keep the queue short. Staggering groups helps a lot.
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers and vehicles: parking spots, arrival times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll work through them with you.
Wakes in Hartwell: venues and practical details
Hartwell is about 1 mile west of Southcourt, in Buckinghamshire. Give us the address of your wake in Hartwell, and we’ll plan the route and the parking spot before the day. Hartwell is one of 263 places in Buckinghamshire we cover. Our bookings stretch from Hartwell to Milton Keynes (16 miles away).
After a service at St Mary's Church, a wake at a hall or home close by means less travelling for everyone. The Chilterns National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Hartwell, and rural venues there may have narrow lanes, so tell us about access.
This part of Buckinghamshire takes in HP17, so your wake can be anywhere in it. From Oxford Road, Sedrup Lane and Portway Road or anywhere nearby, we will bring the van to you. If your venue is just outside Hartwell, we also cover Stone (1 mile west), Fairford Leys (1 mile north-east), Southcourt (1 mile east), Haydon Hill (1 mile north) and California (2 miles east). Larger places within reach include High Wycombe (13 miles south), Chesham (12 miles south-east), Buckingham (14 miles north-west), Amersham (14 miles south-east), Princes Risborough (6 miles south) and Haddenham (4 miles south-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Dinton Castle (1.8 miles west) and Roald Dahl Children's Gallery (1.8 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Snakemoor and Beacon Hill.
- Local schools include Pebble Brook School (1.2 miles north-east) and Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School (1.3 miles north-east)
- Pubs nearby include The Rose & Crown pub (within half a mile west)
Planning for dietary needs
A little planning helps everyone eat safely. Here are a few tips:
- Plan for a few extra people
- Choose a friend to be our contact
- Check the hall or venue allows a catering van
- Mention allergies you know about
A friend or the funeral director can be our contact.
A tea table run by a friend is a comfort.
- 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