Kent · England
Funeral and Wake Catering for Hemsted events
Looking for fish and chips for the wake in Hemsted? The van comes to your venue, home or workplace and fry fresh while your guests queue at the hatch.
- Family gatherings after a burial or cremation
- Life celebrations
- Gatherings at a village hall or club
Book the van in Hemsted
How our funeral and wake catering works in Hemsted
Funerals are often arranged at short notice, so ask as soon as you have the date. Popular choices include mushy peas, gravy and sausage and chips, and we are often booked for a tribute meal and gatherings after the committal.
In a small place like Hemsted, a wake might be at home, in a barn or at the village hall. Tell us about lanes and the ground. We bring the van and everything we need to cook, and we leave the pitch tidy when we go.
Wake catering near Hemsted
Hemsted is about 5 miles north of Hythe, in Kent. We park up at drives, car parks, yards and venues around Hemsted and the surrounding area. We serve 922 places across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 10 miles away.
After a service at Church of St Mary, a wake at a hall or home close by means less travelling for everyone. Hemsted is within about 3 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape; tell us about access if the wake is somewhere rural. Hemsted is within about 5 miles of the sea, and for many families fish and chips brings back memories of the seaside.
For wakes in CT18, we just need to know where the van can park and a serving time. Nearby, we also serve wakes in Woodland (1 mile south-east), Skeete (1 mile south), Stowting (1 mile west), Rhodes Minnis (1 mile north-east) and Stowting Common (1 mile north-west). Larger places within reach include Ashford (8 miles west), Canterbury (10 miles north), Dover (11 miles east), Folkestone (6 miles south-east), Whitstable (15 miles north) and Faversham (14 miles north-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Saltwood Castle (4 miles south) and Elham Valley Countryside Centre And Railway Museum (3.7 miles south-east). The countryside around Hemsted includes Hatch Park and Tolsford Hill.
Can’t we just order from the chip shop?
Not sure whether to order in or book a van? Consider your numbers and how fresh you want it. We are happy to send a quote so you can compare.
Doing the food yourself saves money, but the host ends up running around. Booking the van means hot food and no stress.
What affects the price in Hemsted
We will give you a clear quote. The main things that affect it are:
- How long we serve
- The minimum booking
- The date and time of year
- How many people are eating
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: service time, menu, travel, any minimum and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Getting an accurate quote
The more we know about your wake, the better we can plan. Try to include:
- The date and time of the event
- Where the event is
- Dietary needs, with numbers
- Access details such as gates and narrow lanes
We quote for each event separately, based on your numbers, timings and travel. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Hemsted: your questions answered
Can you serve near the sea around Hemsted?
Yes, of course. Wind does not affect the fryers, but plan a sheltered spot for the queue.
Do you come to venues in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules for vehicles; ask your venue. We’ll follow the site rules.
When do you arrive?
We arrive well before service to park and heat the fryers. Timings are agreed in advance.
Which areas do you serve?
We cover London and the South East, Kent included. Find your area.
How much space do you need?
A level, firm spot it can drive onto, close to where people will eat, and space for a queue. Tell us about gates, lanes and soft ground.
What about guests who don’t eat fish?
Sausage and chips and pie and chips are on the menu. Let us know about any other dietary needs and we’ll tell you what we can offer.
What do you bring?
All the cooking happens in the van. Tell us about power, water and bins at the site.
Is the fish gluten-free?
No, not as standard: batter is usually made with wheat flour. Tell us about any coeliac guests and we’ll explain the options before booking.
The process
We work to your timings. If the day runs behind, we hold off cooking until you are ready, so nothing is cooked before it’s needed. Late-December sunset in Hemsted is about 3:50pm, so an afternoon wake in winter needs lighting near the van. In summer, there is daylight until about 9:15pm.
- We start with a few details about your wake.
- We check the date and where the van will park, then send a quote.
- We agree timings, access and the parking spot.
- We cook to order on the day for family and friends.
- Everything goes out hot from the hatch, and we pack up afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Check the venue or landowner is happy for the van to park
- Plan a bit of cover near the hatch if rain is likely
- Give us a contact for the day
Get a quote
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the parking spot, access, numbers and serving time. A photo of the spot helps too. When you’re ready, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Before you choose a spot
No two venues are the same, so we will ask about yours when you get in touch. Generally, we look for:
- The site’s agreement to a catering van
- Room in front of the hatch for a queue
- A lit spot if service runs after dark
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and the way in, and we’ll say what we think.
From the hatch
- Haddock and chips
- Mushy peas
- Sausage and chips
- Gravy
- Cod and chips
- Pie and chips
Planners, venues and businesses
Many venues set rules for catering vans: parking spots, arrival times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll work through them with you.
Parks, greens and streets usually need permission for a catering van. Ask the council or landowner early.
Towns and villages near Hemsted
Other occasions in Hemsted
Looking after everyone
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Arrange tea and coffee separately
- Confirm the van can park at the hall
- Have chairs for those who need them
- Let someone else talk to us on the day
Remember the journey from the service.
A quiet room away from the crowd is a kindness.
Food your guests will love
Haddock and chips
Haddock has loyal fans: a firmer flake and a sweeter taste. Ask us about offering haddock alongside or instead of cod.
Curry sauce
The chip shop’s own curry sauce is mild and a little sweet, perfect with chips or a sausage.
Why choose funeral and wake catering in Hemsted?
There’s no kitchen work for anyone.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Scattering of ashes gatherings
- Pub wakes
- Village hall wakes
- Anniversary memorials
For anyone coming to the funeral by train, Westenhanger station is about 2.9 miles away.
What to look for in a quote
- Payment terms and deposit
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- What they can offer for dietary needs
- The deadline for final numbers
- 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