Kent · England
Funeral and wake catering in Upchurch, Kent
Planning fish and chips for the wake in Upchurch? We bring the van to you and fry fresh while your guests queue at the hatch.
- Remembering a loved one’s favourite food
- Family meals after the service
- Village hall wakes
Book the van in Upchurch
Before you choose a spot
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the spot and the way in when you contact us. In general, we need:
- A route in without tight gates or low branches
- Space for people to queue at the hatch
- A lit spot if service runs after dark
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
What we serve
- Gravy
- Cod and chips
- Mushy peas
- Pie and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Haddock and chips
Funeral and wake catering for your wake in Upchurch
We serve wakes at homes, halls, clubs and venues. For a favourite meal in someone’s memory and celebrations of life, we can cook sausage and chips, pie and chips and haddock and chips.
Near Upchurch, wakes are frequently at home or in the hall. Tell us about lanes and the ground. The fryers are in the van, so the cooking happens right there at your wake, and the food reaches them hot and crisp.
Wake catering near Upchurch
Upchurch is about 3 miles east of Gillingham, in Kent. We park up at drives, car parks, yards and venues around Upchurch and the surrounding area. We take the van to 922 places in Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 20 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. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 8 miles of Upchurch; tell us about access if the wake is somewhere rural.
For wakes in ME9 and ME8, we just need to know where the van can park. Your wake could be at a house on The Street, Crosier Court and Horsham Lane or the roads around them, wherever the van can park. Neighbouring places where we serve wakes include Lower Halstow (1 mile east), Breach (1 mile south), Moor Street (1 mile south-west), Lower Rainham (1 mile west) and Newington (2 miles south-east). We also serve nearby towns such as Maidstone (9 miles south-west), Sittingbourne (4 miles south-east), Gravesend (12 miles west), Faversham (11 miles east), Northfleet (14 miles west) and Minster (7 miles north-east).
Nearby you will also find Medway Maritime Hospital (4.5 miles west) and Bayford Court (4.8 miles south-east). Open spaces near Upchurch include Bishop Saltings.
- Schools near Upchurch include Leigh Academy Rainham (1.4 miles south-west)
Planners, venues and businesses
If you’re 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’re happy to liaise with facilities on parking and timings.
Parks, greens and streets usually need permission for a catering van. The council or landowner will tell you what they need.
How we price fish and chips for the wake
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Distance and any road charges
- Your choice of menu
- Service time
- How many people are eating
Cost depends on numbers, menu and service time, along with distance and access to the site. We quote for each booking individually.
What to tell us
These details help us quote quickly:
- Roughly how many people, including children
- A picture of the parking spot
- The spot you have in mind for the van
- The address or venue name
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the van would park, roughly how many people and when you’d like to eat. You can send us your details through our quote form.
A chip van compared with other options
Preparing food yourself adds to a hard day. We do the cooking. Distance and any road charges make a difference, so it helps to give us the postcode.
Why us?
- A menu almost everyone likes
- The classic sides: peas, curry sauce and gravy
- A quote that spells everything out
- Hot food handed straight over
See our prices page or the cost guide.
Towns and villages near Upchurch
Also in Upchurch
Step by step
Serving is straightforward: everything is handed over hot from the hatch, and people can eat where they like. Afterwards we pack up. Summer evenings in Upchurch stay light until about 9:15pm, while winter afternoons darken by about 3:50pm.
- Send us your date, numbers and address.
- We check the route in and send a price.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- Fish goes into the batter and straight into the fryer, to order.
- Service is straight from the hatch, then we pack up.
Preparing for the day
- Let us know the serving time
- Leave room in front of the hatch for a queue
- Clear the route for the van
Ask for a quote
The more you tell us, the more accurate the 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.
Planning help
FAQs for Upchurch
Do you come to venues in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles and ground, so check with yours. We will follow the site rules.
Which station is closest to Upchurch?
The closest is Rainham (Kent) station, roughly 1.6 miles away.
Do you fry it on site?
It is. The fryers are in the van, so food is cooked there and then, rather than made in advance.
What can guests choose from?
Chip-shop favourites: cod, haddock, chips, sausages and pies, plus mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy. See the menu.
What do you bring?
We bring the van and everything we need to cook. You provide a suitable spot and permission to park.
Can you park on the road outside?
Only where it’s legal to park, or with a council parking suspension or road closure. Ask your council early.
Does the batter contain gluten?
Standard batter is made with wheat flour, so battered fish contains gluten. Tell us about coeliac guests when you enquire, and we will be straight with you about what’s possible.
Can you cater a wake at short notice?
Ask as soon as you have the date. We will tell you straight away whether we’re available.
The menu, dish by dish
Pie and chips
Pie and chips gives people a filling alternative to fish.
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.
Perfect for your wake in Upchurch
For some families, it was a favourite meal.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Wakes at church halls and clubs
- Memorial events and anniversaries
- A favourite meal in someone’s memory
- A wake at the family home
Relatives arriving by train should know that the closest railway station is Rainham (Kent) station, roughly 1.6 miles south-west of the centre.
Before you book anyone
- The van’s size and access needs
- A clear list of what’s included
- The minimum number of meals or minimum spend
- When final numbers are due
DIY versus a fish and chip van
Ordering from a local shop? Call ahead and collect at the last minute. For anything more than a handful of people, a van is normally the easier option.
Some hosts try a takeaway order. Large orders are slow, and the food cools in the bags. A van cooks in front of your guests instead.
- 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