Hampshire · England
Funeral and Wake Catering for Viables events
Funeral and wake catering in Viables: cod, haddock and chips fried to order, and served hot from the hatch at the time you choose.
- A favourite meal in someone’s memory
- Village hall wakes
- Memorial events and anniversaries
Planning an event in Viables?
How it works
It is a relaxed, well-organised set-up. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, park on the agreed spot, and cook and serve without fuss. In winter, it’s dark in Viables by about 4:00pm, so an afternoon wake in winter needs lighting near the van. Summer wakes have daylight well into the evening.
- Start with three things: the date, the place and a rough headcount.
- Show us where the van would go, and we’ll confirm it works.
- Closer to the day, we confirm the arrival time and serving time.
- The van rolls up, the hatch opens and the fryers get going for family and friends.
- Last portion served, we tidy up and head off.
Getting ready for the day
- Plan where the queue will stand
- Share the timings for the day
- Plan a bit of cover near the hatch if rain is likely
Ask for a quote
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. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
About our funeral and wake catering in Viables
We work quietly and simply. We arrive at the agreed time, park discreetly and serve when you’re ready. Typical bookings include wakes at venues and gatherings after scattering ashes, with mushy peas, gravy and haddock and chips.
In Viables, the hall or the family home is a natural choice. Let us know where the van can go. The fryers are in the van, so the cooking happens right there at your wake, so the batter is still crisp when it’s handed over.
Why choose a fish and chip van in Viables?
A formal meal doesn’t always suit. Fish and chips lets people mingle. A chip van often compares well with a plated meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and nothing to wash up. We will send you a quote.
Why book with us
- No surprises in your quote
- Hot food handed straight over
- Bookings across Hampshire, including Viables
- We cook inside the van, whatever the weather
See our pricing and our guide to van hire costs.
Why choose funeral and wake catering in Viables?
For some families, it was a favourite meal.
The van suits big events and small ones. Common bookings include:
- Celebrations of life
- Pub wakes
- Gatherings at a village hall or club
- A wake at the family home
For family travelling by train, Basingstoke station, about 1.3 miles north, is the nearest station.
What to look for in a quote
- When payment is due
- A clear list of what’s included
- The cancellation terms
- The service time, and the cost of running over
Wakes in Viables: venues and practical details
Viables is about 1 mile south-east of Basingstoke, in Hampshire. Wakes in Viables are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, an agreed spot for the van and food fried fresh on the day. We take the van to 683 places across Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Reading, about 15 miles away.
If the funeral is at a church such as Church of All Saints, a hall or home nearby keeps the journey to the wake short.
This part of Hampshire takes in RG21, RG22 and RG25. Streets in the area include Grove Road, Porter Road and Morley Road, and the van can serve a wake on any of them with a suitable parking spot. We also bring the van to wakes in Cliddesden (1 mile south), Eastrop (1 mile north), Oakridge (1 mile north), Lychpit (2 miles north-east) and Old Basing (2 miles north-east). We also serve nearby towns such as Farnborough (14 miles east), Fleet (11 miles east), Aldershot (14 miles east), Alton (8 miles south-east), Yateley (13 miles north-east) and Tadley (8 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include Willis Museum (0.9 miles north) and Festival Place (1.1 miles north). Green spaces nearby include The Mill Field and Farleigh Hill.
- Nearby schools include Queen Mary's College (less than half a mile north) and The Costello School (0.9 miles north-east)
- Pubs nearby include Jolly Farmer Public House (0.8 miles south-west)
Viables questions
Can you serve after a service at Church of All Saints?
Yes, at a nearby hall, home or venue with somewhere for the van. Food is typically served at the reception venue rather than the church. Tell us where you will gather.
Can the van park in Hackwood Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, normally the council. Ask them first, and tell us what they say.
What does it cost to hire the van?
The price depends on numbers, menu, service time and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
What areas do you cover?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Can you serve children?
Yes. Sausage and chips is a favourite with children. Include children in your numbers.
What do you bring?
We bring the van and everything we need to cook. You provide a suitable spot and permission to park.
Is the food cooked at the event?
It is. The fryers are in the van, so it is fried on the spot, not cooked earlier and kept warm.
Can our funeral director book for us?
Of course. We are happy to deal with the funeral director or a family friend.
DIY versus a fish and chip van
DIY food keeps costs down, but the host spends the event serving. With a fish and chip van, you get hot food without the work.
Ordering in from a local chip shop is an option. The problem is timing: big orders take a long time, and the food is cooling while it travels. A van solves that by cooking on site.
What the van needs
A good parking spot makes the whole thing easier. We look for:
- A short walk from the party
- Access wide and high enough for the van
- A lit spot if service runs after dark
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and the way in, and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in Viables
- Haddock and chips
- Mushy peas
- Sausage and chips
- Cod and chips
- Pie and chips
- Gravy
Towns and villages near Viables
What else we do in Viables
What affects the price in Viables
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Your choice of menu
- The length of service
- Any minimum charge
- How far we travel
The price depends on numbers, the menu and how long we serve, plus travel and access. Every booking gets its own quote.
What we need to know
These details help us quote quickly:
- Where you’d like the van to go
- A picture of the space and the way in
- How to get in: gates, lanes and ground
- Dietary needs, with numbers
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually need. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
A closer look at the menu
Pie and chips
Pie and chips gives people a filling alternative to fish.
Mushy peas
Mushy peas are a must for plenty of fish and chip fans, and they’re on the menu.
Planning for dietary needs
Allergies are taken seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Plan seating for older guests
- Ask the venue about the van
- Funeral directors can help with numbers
- Arrange tea and coffee separately
Remember the journey from the service when choosing a serving time.
Napkins and bins near the van keep things tidy.
- 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