Kent · England
Funeral and Wake Catering for Swalecliffe events
Something for almost everyone: cod or haddock in batter, chips, sausages and pies, plus mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy on the side. Book fish and chips for the wake in Swalecliffe.
- Memorial events and anniversaries
- Celebrations of life
- Family gatherings after a burial or cremation
Fresh fish and chips in Swalecliffe
How it works
We get there well before service, park the van and get the fryers going. Your guests can wander over to the hatch as soon as we open. Late-December sunset in Swalecliffe is about 3:50pm, so an afternoon wake in winter needs lighting near the van. In summer, there’s daylight until about 9:15pm.
- Contact us with the basics: when, where and roughly how many.
- A photo of the parking spot helps us check the van will fit.
- Closer to the day, we confirm the arrival time and serving time.
- We park, open the hatch and start frying for family and friends.
- Once the last portion is out, we pack up and go.
Preparing for the day
- Give us a contact for the day
- Check the venue or landowner is happy for the van to park
- Arrange somewhere dry for the queue
Ask for a quote
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many people, along with your serving time, and you will get a clear price. To get started, use our quote form.
Related guides
Funeral and wake catering in Swalecliffe, fried fresh
Wakes are rarely planned months ahead, so ask as soon as you have the date. We are frequently asked to cater wakes at church halls and clubs and small family memorials, with cod and chips, pie and chips and sausage and chips.
In Swalecliffe, the hall or the family home is a natural choice. Tell us about parking for the van. The menu is short on purpose: a few classics done properly keeps the food fresh and the queue moving.
What affects the price in Swalecliffe
Two events with the same numbers can cost different amounts, depending on:
- How long we serve
- Cod, haddock or both
- Numbers
- Peak dates such as summer Saturdays
Travel, tolls and charges such as ULEZ can affect the price, so tell us exactly where your wake is.
Details that help
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- Your date and serving time
- The spot you have in mind for the van
- A photo of the space and the way in
- The address or venue name
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, address, rough numbers and when you’d like to eat. We will send a clear quote that says what’s included.
FAQs for Swalecliffe
Is Swalecliffe close to London?
About 51 miles from central London.
We are gathering after a service at Church of St John the Baptist: 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.
Do you fry it on site?
It is. We cook inside the van, so food is cooked there and then, rather than made in advance.
How do you handle allergies?
Let us know about allergies in advance, and we’ll give you the allergen information.
What do you bring?
All the cooking happens in the van. Tell us about power, water and bins at the site.
Can you go on a lawn or field?
Typically, if it’s firm and dry. Soft, wet ground can trap any vehicle, so plan a back-up spot.
Can a friend deal with you?
Yes, many families prefer that.
Can coeliacs eat the battered fish?
Not as standard: batter is generally made with wheat flour. Tell us about any coeliac guests and we’ll explain the options.
Before you choose a spot
Plenty of places work for the van, but there are a few things to check:
- Confirmation that the van can park there
- A lit spot if service runs after dark
- Flat, firm ground for the van
Not sure about the spot? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
From the hatch
- Gravy
- Sausage and chips
- Cod and chips
- Mushy peas
- Haddock and chips
- Pie and chips
Diets, allergies and planning
With a bit of planning, dietary needs are easier to handle. Here are a few tips:
- Arrange tea and coffee separately
- Ask your funeral director to help estimate numbers
- Have chairs for those who need them
- Let us know of any allergies
We park quietly before guests return from the service.
A table of photos helps people talk.
Perfect for your wake in Swalecliffe
For some families, it was a favourite meal.
These are some of the bookings we take:
- Scattering of ashes gatherings
- A tribute meal
- A wake at the family home
- Celebrations of life
If the funeral is at a church such as Church of St John the Baptist, a hall or home nearby keeps the journey to the wake short.
Before booking anyone
- How much space the van takes up
- What happens if plans change
- How long service runs, and what happens if you overrun
- Allergen information for each item
Is a fish and chip van right for your wake?
Many wakes have sandwiches and cake. A hot meal can be more comforting, especially in winter. Many fish and chip vans set a minimum, because the van, fuel and travel cost the same for a small group. Ask us what applies to your wake.
Why us?
- Classic food your guests already know
- A quote that spells everything out
- Bookings across Kent, including Swalecliffe
- Served hot, straight from the hatch
Take a look at our prices page and the cost guide.
The menu, dish by dish
Mushy peas
Mushy peas are a must for plenty of fish and chip fans, and they’re on the menu.
Haddock and chips
Some people swear by haddock: sweeter and a touch firmer than cod. Tell us if you’d like to offer it.
DIY versus a fish and chip van
Weighing up a takeaway order against booking a van? Consider your numbers and how fresh you want it. We are happy to send a quote so you can compare.
Collecting fish and chips for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is hard work. Long waits and a drive home mean food arrives lukewarm and soggy. A van fries it right there, so it is crisp.
Places near Swalecliffe
More for events in Swalecliffe
Swalecliffe: halls, homes and travel
Swalecliffe is about 2 miles east of Whitstable, in Kent. Anywhere in CT5, we can fry fresh for your guests. We take the van to all 922 towns and villages across Kent. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 6 miles away.
Relatives driving in can use the A2990 to reach Swalecliffe. If relatives are coming by rail, there’s a station right in Swalecliffe: Chestfield & Swalecliffe station. The coast is within about 2 miles of Swalecliffe.
We serve wakes across CT5 and the streets around it. Streets in the area include Kemp Road, Brook Road and Burnan Road, and the van can serve a wake on any of them with a suitable parking spot. You will find Swalecliffe on the A2990, so it is easy for us to reach with the van. We also bring the van to wakes in Chestfield (1 mile south), Tankerton (1 mile west), West End (1 mile south-east), Hampton (2 miles north-east) and Whitstable (2 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Canterbury (6 miles south), Margate (14 miles east), Sittingbourne (14 miles west), Ramsgate (15 miles east), Faversham (8 miles west) and Herne Bay (3 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital (0.7 miles west) and Tankerton Castle (1.3 miles west). Green spaces nearby include West Blean and Thornden Woods.
- Schools near Swalecliffe include The Whitstable School (1.4 miles south-west)
- Local pubs include The Plough pub (under half a mile north-east)
- 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