East Sussex · England
Funeral and Wake Catering for Shortgate events
We bring fish and chips for the wake to Shortgate and nearby, cooking to order on site and serving from the hatch.
- Gatherings at a village hall or club
- Wakes at home
- A favourite meal in someone’s memory
A chip van near Shortgate
A fish and chip van or other catering?
A sit-down meal can feel formal. A van keeps it relaxed. Comparing vans? Look at what each quote includes: hours, menu, travel, minimum charge and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Why book with us
- Nothing for you to cook or clear
- Served hot, straight from the hatch
- Cod, haddock, sausages and pies
- Rain does not stop the fryers
Funeral and wake catering in Shortgate, fried fresh
Funerals are often arranged at short notice, so contact us as soon as you can. Whether it is memorial events and anniversaries and gatherings after the committal, we’ll put together a menu of haddock and chips, cod and chips and gravy.
In a small place like Shortgate, a wake might be at home, in a barn or at the village hall. Let us know about access. Your quote spells out what’s included: the date, the service time and the menu.
- Area
- Shortgate (BN8)
- County
- East Sussex
- Menu
- Cod, haddock, chips, sausages, pies
- Sides
- Mushy peas, curry sauce, gravy
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 24 October 2026
Cannot we just order from the chip shop?
For a small group, making your own food can work. For larger numbers, or when you want hot food, a van takes the pressure off, and nobody has to miss the wake.
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.
Wake catering near Shortgate
Shortgate is about 4 miles south of Uckfield, in East Sussex. In and around Shortgate, the van can serve from a drive, a yard, a car park or a firm field. We serve all 289 towns and villages across East Sussex. Our bookings stretch from Shortgate to Brighton (about 12 miles away).
Shortgate is within about 6 miles of the South Downs National Park, and rural venues there may have narrow lanes, so tell us about access.
We serve wakes across BN8 and the streets around it. We also bring the van to wakes in Halland (1 mile north-east), East Hoathly (2 miles east), Whitesmith (2 miles east), Chiddingly (3 miles east) and Framfield (4 miles north). Further out, we also take the van to Eastbourne (12 miles south-east), Seaford (10 miles south), Lewes (6 miles south-west), Hailsham (7 miles south-east), Crowborough (10 miles north) and Newhaven (9 miles south).
A little further out are Uckfield Community Hospital (3.6 miles north) and Tickerage Castle (4.1 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Cliffe Hill and Malling Down.
Where the van can park in Shortgate
A good parking spot makes the whole thing easier. We look for:
- A level hardstanding, drive or firm lawn
- Light near the van and the queue for evening service
- A spot near your guests
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and the way in, and we will say what we think.
On the menu in Shortgate
- Cod and chips
- Pie and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Mushy peas
- Gravy
- Sausage and chips
About the food
Pie and chips
For a heartier option, there is pie and chips, perfect with gravy.
Gravy
Gravy brings a bit of warmth to the meal, especially in winter.
For planners, venues and organisers
If your event is in a public place, such as a park or a street, check what permission you need first. The council or landowner will tell you what they need.
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will talk you through the process. We are happy to liaise with facilities on parking and timings.
Looking after everyone
With a little notice, diets are easier to plan for. We suggest:
- Keep the serving time flexible
- Funeral directors can help with numbers
- Cater for a few more than you expect
- Check the hall has an urn
Seats for older guests near the hall or house help.
Somewhere quiet to sit helps some guests.
FAQs for Shortgate
Can the van go to venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles and ground, so check with yours. We’ll follow the site rules.
Do you come out to small places like Shortgate?
Not at all. We serve villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
Where do you take the van?
We cover London and the South East, East Sussex included. Find your area.
Can coeliacs eat the battered fish?
Our battered fish contains gluten, because standard batter uses wheat flour. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance, and we’ll tell you honestly what we can offer.
Can you serve children?
Yes. Children generally love sausage and chips. Include children in your numbers.
What does the van need?
A level, firm spot it can drive onto, close to where people will eat, with room for a queue at the hatch. Mention any narrow gates or soft ground.
How much is fish and chip van hire?
We quote for each booking, based on your numbers and timings. Give us your date, numbers and serving time and we’ll reply with a price.
Do you need power or water?
Somewhere suitable to park, with permission. Mention any power or water available and we’ll take it from there.
How it works
We take care of the food from arrival to the last chip, so you can get on with your wake. In winter, it is dark in Shortgate by about 3:55pm, so an afternoon wake in winter needs lighting near the van. In summer, there is daylight until about 9:15pm.
- Tell us what you’re planning and when you’d like to eat.
- You hear back on the date and the price.
- We agree exactly where the van parks.
- 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
- Confirm the van is allowed on site
- Check the way in for low branches, cables and narrow gates
- Give us a contact for the day
Get a quote
Send us the date, the address or BN8 postcode and rough numbers, along with your serving time, and we’ll reply with a quote. Just use our quote form.
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Perfect for your wake in Shortgate
It works for everyone, from children to older relatives.
Here are some of the occasions we serve:
- Remembering a loved one’s favourite food
- Small family memorials
- Family gatherings after a burial or cremation
- Village hall wakes
For family travelling by train, the nearest station is Uckfield station, about 3.9 miles north.
Comparing caterers
- If the price includes VAT
- Allergen information for each item
- Payment terms and deposit
- The deadline for final numbers
Also near Shortgate
More for events in Shortgate
- 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