Kent · England
Funeral and wake catering in Orlestone, Kent
From the smell of the fryers to the last chip in the paper, fish and chips for the wake turns food into part of your wake in Orlestone.
- Anniversary memorials
- Wakes at venues
- A tribute meal
Fresh fish and chips in Orlestone
Funeral and wake catering for your wake in Orlestone
Sometimes fish and chips was the favourite meal of the person being remembered, which makes it a fitting tribute. We are frequently asked to cater family meals after the service and gatherings at home after a funeral, with mushy peas, pie and chips and cod and chips.
In a small place like Orlestone, a wake might be at home, in a barn or at the village hall. Let us know about access. You’ll know what’s included before booking: the date, the service time and the menu, with no surprises on the day.
Prices and what affects them
Each booking is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- The length of service
- Whether a minimum applies
- The day of the week
- Travel, tolls and road charges
Larger groups normally cost less per head, because the van, travel and set-up cost much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What we need to know
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Anything awkward about the way in
- A picture of the parking spot
- The spot you have in mind for the van
- Expected numbers
We only need a few details to quote: date, address, numbers and serving time. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Nearby places to Orlestone
Other occasions in Orlestone
Where the van can park in Orlestone
We’ll be honest if a spot will not work, and suggest an alternative. The main points are:
- The site’s agreement to a catering van
- Somewhere close to where people will eat
- Light near the van and the queue for evening service
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
On the menu in Orlestone
- Haddock and chips
- Pie and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Gravy
- Cod and chips
- Mushy peas
Orlestone: your questions answered
How far is Orlestone from London?
Roughly 50 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Is Orlestone too small for a chip van?
No, we come to small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and the ground.
How long does set-up take?
It depends on numbers and the service time. We agree arrival, serving and finishing times with you before the day.
What happens if it rains?
The weather doesn’t stop the van, because the cooking happens inside. Very soft ground can be a problem, so plan a back-up spot on a hard surface.
What if we do not know numbers?
It is hard to know, so a rough number is fine. Your funeral director can help.
Is short notice a problem?
We understand the timescales, so ask and we will reply quickly.
Do you come to Orlestone?
We do. Orlestone is one of the places we cover. Send us your date to check availability.
Is the fish gluten-free?
Our battered fish contains gluten, because standard batter uses wheat flour. Tell us about coeliac guests when you enquire, and we will be straight with you about what’s possible.
Can’t we just order from the chip shop?
Ordering from a local shop? Call ahead and collect at the last minute. For a crowd, a van is typically simpler.
Collecting fish and chips for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is hard work. By the time you’ve queued, paid and driven back, the batter has gone soft. With a van, it is fried on the spot.
The process
We don’t cook ahead. Fish is battered and fried when people come up to the hatch, so it’s as fresh as from any chip shop. In summer, a wake in Orlestone has light until about 9:15pm, while winter afternoons darken by about 3:50pm.
- 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, and how it gets in.
- On the day, everything is cooked to order, so nothing sits in a hot cabinet.
- The pitch is left tidy when we go.
Before we arrive
- Plan a bit of cover near the hatch if rain is likely
- Name one person we can call on the day
- Leave room in front of the hatch for a queue
How to get a price
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, address, rough numbers and when you’d like to eat. We’ll come back with a clear quote.
Planning help
Wakes in Orlestone: venues and practical details
Orlestone is about 4 miles south of Ashford, in Kent. In and around Orlestone, the van can serve from a drive, a yard, a car park or a firm field, close to your guests. We cover all 922 towns and villages across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our bookings stretch from Orlestone to Canterbury (about 17 miles away).
Families holding a service at Church of St Mary the Virgin frequently gather afterwards at a nearby hall, where the van can park.
We serve wakes across TN26. We also bring the van to wakes in Hamstreet (1 mile south-east), Bromley Green (1 mile north), Kenardington (2 miles south-west), Ruckinge (2 miles south-east) and Stone Cross (2 miles north-east). We also serve nearby towns such as Ashford (4 miles north), Folkestone (14 miles east), Hythe (10 miles east), Hawkinge (14 miles east), Tenterden (7 miles west) and Cheriton (13 miles east).
A little further out are Woodchurch Village Life Museum (3.6 miles west) and William Harvey Hospital (5.3 miles north-east). The countryside around Orlestone includes Orlestone Forest.
- Pubs nearby include The Dukes Head pub (0.9 miles south-east)
The menu, dish by dish
Haddock and chips
Some people swear by haddock: a firmer flake and a sweeter taste. Tell us if you’d like to offer it.
Cod and chips
For many people, cod and chips is the definitive version. Fried to order in the van, it goes out hot and crisp.
Is a fish and chip van right for your wake?
A formal meal does not always suit. Fish and chips lets people mingle. Many fish and chip vans set a minimum, because the van, fuel and travel cost the same for a small group. We’ll tell you up front.
Why book our van in Orlestone
- A menu almost everyone likes
- The classic sides: peas, curry sauce and gravy
- No kitchen needed
- A clear quote before you book
Perfect for your wake in Orlestone
Nothing is wasted on an uncertain number of guests.
Whatever brings people together, a chip van is a crowd-pleaser. We regularly serve:
- Anniversary memorials
- A favourite meal in someone’s memory
- Family gatherings after a burial or cremation
- Small family memorials
Relatives arriving by train should know that the closest railway station is Ham Street station, roughly 0.7 miles south-east of the centre.
Comparing caterers
- The van’s size and access needs
- How long service runs, and what happens if you overrun
- What happens if plans change
- Whether there is a minimum
For planners, venues and organisers
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we’ll talk you through the process. We are happy to liaise with facilities on parking and timings.
If your event is in a public place, such as a park or a street, check what permission you need first. Ask the council or landowner early.
- 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