Portsmouth · England
Funeral and Wake Catering for Hilsea events
From the first sizzle in the fryer to the last chip, fish and chips for the wake makes the food a highlight of your wake in Hilsea.
- A favourite meal in someone’s memory
- Gatherings after scattering ashes
- Remembrance gatherings
Planning an event in Hilsea?
Who books funeral and wake catering in Hilsea?
It works for everyone.
A fish and chip van suits almost any gathering. People in Hilsea book the van for occasions like:
- A favourite meal in someone’s memory
- Pub wakes
- Memorial gatherings
- A wake at the family home
Families holding a service at St Francis' Church often gather afterwards at a nearby hall, where the van can park.
Comparing caterers
- Payment terms and deposit
- VAT, if it applies
- When final numbers are due
- The cancellation terms
Funeral and wake catering for your wake in Hilsea
Your funeral director or a family friend can deal with us directly, so you have one less thing to do. We serve gravy, cod and chips and haddock and chips, and we are regularly asked to cater gatherings after the committal and scattering of ashes gatherings.
Around Hilsea, wakes are frequently at the village hall, a pub or home. Let us know where the van can go. Tell us about dietary needs and allergies when you enquire, and we will tell you honestly what we can offer.
- Location
- Hilsea (PO2, PO3, PO6)
- County
- Portsmouth
- On the menu
- Cod, haddock, chips, sausages, pies
- Extras
- Gravy, mushy peas, curry sauce
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 24 October 2026
What comes out of the fryer
Sausage and chips
A sausage and chips is the chip-shop classic for younger guests and fish-dodgers.
Haddock and chips
Haddock has a slightly sweeter flavour and a firmer flake. In the north and in Scotland, haddock is the classic.
The process
On the day, we position the van, set up the hatch and get the fryers up to temperature. Then everything is fried to order, timed around your wake. In autumn and winter, it is dark early in Hilsea; ensure older guests have a well-lit route to the van.
- Start with three things: the date, the place and a rough headcount.
- A photo of the parking spot helps us check the van will fit.
- A week or so before, we confirm timings and numbers.
- 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
- Clear the route for the van
- Think about a gazebo by the van in case of rain
- Get permission for the van from the venue
Get a quote
Send us the date, the address or PO2 postcode and rough numbers, plus when you’d like to eat, and we will reply with a quote. Just use our quote form.
Related guides
Wakes in Hilsea: venues and practical details
Hilsea is about 2 miles north of Portsmouth, in Portsmouth. From the centre of Hilsea to the outskirts, we offer the same service: fresh frying, hot food from the hatch and a clear price. Hilsea is one of 19 places in Portsmouth we cover. Our bookings stretch from Hilsea to Southampton (15 miles away).
Relatives arriving by train should know that Hilsea station, about 0.5 miles east, is the nearest station. Hilsea is within about 4 miles of the sea.
We take the van to wakes all over the PO2, PO3 and PO6 postcode area and the streets around it. That could mean a wake at a home on Vita Road, Conan Road and Arras Road, as long as there is somewhere for the van. Close by, we cover wakes in Cosham (1 mile north), North End (1 mile south-west), Tipner (1 mile south-west), Wymering (1 mile north) and Rudmore (1 mile south-west). Further out, we also take the van to Southsea (3 miles south), Portsea (3 miles south-west) and Portsmouth Point (3 miles south-west).
Well-known places in the area include World War I Remembrance Centre (0.8 miles east) and Tricorn Centre (2.1 miles south-west). The countryside around Hilsea includes Milton Locks and Portsdown Hill.
- Local schools include Trafalgar School (under half a mile north-west) and Springfield School (1.3 miles north-east)
- Pubs nearby include Coach and Horses pub (under half a mile north)
Hilsea questions
Which station is closest to Hilsea?
The closest is Hilsea station, roughly 0.5 miles away.
We’re gathering after a service at St Francis' Church: can you come?
Yes, at a nearby hall, home or venue with somewhere for the van. Churches rarely have space for a catering van, so the food is normally elsewhere. Tell us where you’ll gather.
How do you handle allergies?
Let us know about allergies in advance, and we will give you the allergen information and what we can offer.
What do you bring?
We bring the van and everything we need to cook. You just need a suitable spot and permission.
Do we need to provide anything?
Tell us what’s available at the site in your enquiry, and we’ll say what we need.
Do you do anything other than fish?
Yes: sausages and pies, with chips. Give us a rough idea of numbers.
How quickly can you serve everyone?
A short menu and staggered groups keep things moving. We’ll talk it through when we quote.
How much does fish and chips for the wake cost in Hilsea?
Every booking is quoted individually, so the price fits what you need. Tell us your date and rough numbers and we will reply with a price.
DIY versus a fish and chip van
Doing the food yourself saves money, but the host ends up running around. Booking the van means hot food and no stress.
A DIY buffet works for small groups. For bigger numbers, a van makes life easier, and you get to enjoy the day.
Where the van can park in Hilsea
A fish and chip van is a vehicle, so the spot matters, so a few things need checking. These are the things we check:
- The site’s agreement to a catering van
- Flat, firm ground for the van
- Access wide and high enough for the van
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and the way in, and we will say what we think.
Popular choices
- Gravy
- Haddock and chips
- Mushy peas
- Cod and chips
- Pie and chips
- Sausage and chips
Organising for someone else?
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will explain how it works. We are happy to liaise with facilities on parking and timings.
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers and vehicles: where a van can park, access times and the paperwork they want. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will confirm what we can provide.
Prices and what affects them
The same numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- The length of service
- Distance and any road charges
- How easy the site is to reach
- The day of the week
Cost depends on numbers, menu and service time, along with distance and access to the site. Every booking gets its own quote.
Getting an accurate quote
To check availability and price, we need:
- The date and when you’d like to eat
- A picture of the space and the way in
- Roughly how many people, including children
- Allergies and diets you know about
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually need. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
A fish and chip van or other catering?
For warm food after a funeral, fish and chips from a van works well in Hilsea. Distance and any road charges make a difference, so it helps to give us the postcode.
Why book with us
- Cod, haddock, sausages and pies
- Mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy on the side
- Bookings across Portsmouth, including Hilsea
- Fried fresh, not kept warm
See our pricing and our guide to van hire costs.
More for events in Hilsea
- 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