Kent · England
Funeral and wake catering in West Cross, Kent
Fried to order and served hot: fish and chips for the wake in West Cross and across Kent.
- Gatherings at a village hall or club
- Wakes at venues
- Gatherings after scattering ashes
Planning an event in West Cross?
Funeral and wake catering for your wake in West Cross
We work quietly and simply. We park discreetly and serve when people are ready. We are frequently asked to cater a favourite meal in someone’s memory and memorial gatherings, with mushy peas, haddock and chips and sausage and chips.
In rural West Cross, home or the hall is usual. We bring the van and everything we need to cook, and we leave the pitch tidy when we go.
Arranging a wake in West Cross
West Cross is about 12 miles south-west of Ashford, in Kent. From the centre of West Cross to the outskirts, the service works the same way: fresh frying, hot food from the hatch and a clear price. We serve 922 places across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 25 miles away.
West Cross is within about 5 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, and rural venues there may have narrow lanes, so tell us about access.
Anywhere in TN17, we can fry fresh for your guests. Close by, we cover wakes in Rolvenden (1 mile east), Rolvenden Layne (1 mile south-east), Strood (1 mile east), East End (2 miles north) and Parkgate (2 miles north-east). We also serve nearby towns such as Maidstone (15 miles north), Ashford (12 miles north-east), Paddock Wood (13 miles north-west), Tenterden (3 miles east), Bearsted (15 miles north) and Park Wood (13 miles north).
Well-known places in the area include Benenden Hospital (2.2 miles north) and Sissinghurst Castle (4.5 miles north).
- Nearby, you’ll find Bull Hotel (0.5 miles east)
Working with your venue
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers and vehicles: where a van can park, access times and the paperwork they want. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll confirm what we can provide.
Parks, greens and streets typically need permission for a catering van. Ask the council or landowner early.
Why fried-to-order beats a buffet
Some venues offer wake menus. A van works where they don’t, or at home. The price depends on numbers, the menu and how long we serve, along with distance and access to the site. We quote for each booking individually.
Why book our van in West Cross
- Served hot, straight from the hatch
- Nothing for you to cook or clear
- Mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy on the side
- Works on wet days as well as sunny ones
Read how we price or our guide to van hire costs.
What the van needs
If a spot is not suitable, we will tell you, and suggest an alternative. The main points are:
- A level hardstanding, drive or firm lawn
- A clear way in, with no low branches, cables or narrow gates
- Confirmation that the van can park there
Not sure about the spot? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before you book.
From the hatch
- Pie and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Mushy peas
- Haddock and chips
- Gravy
- Cod and chips
Diets, allergies and planning
We take allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Cater for a few more than you expect
- Choose a friend to be our contact
- Funeral directors can help with numbers
- Check the hall or venue allows a catering van
Remember the journey from the service when choosing a serving time.
Somewhere quiet to sit helps some guests.
How it works
Serving is straightforward: everything is handed over hot from the hatch, and people can eat where they like. When service is finished, we pack up and leave the pitch tidy. Sunset in West Cross is about 7:00pm in late September and about 3:55pm in December; plan a lit path from the door to the van.
- We start with a few details about your wake.
- We check the date and where the van will park, then send a quote.
- Timings and the van’s spot are agreed in advance.
- On the day, we park up and fry fresh for family and friends.
- We serve from the hatch, then leave the pitch tidy.
Before we arrive
- Share the timings for the day
- Check the way in for low branches, cables and narrow gates
- Plan a bit of cover near the hatch if rain is likely
How to get a price
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: where the van would park, how to get in, numbers and timings. Photos of the spot and the way in help. To send your details, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
About the food
Curry sauce
Curry sauce divides opinion, so we bring it along.
Cod and chips
Cod has big, soft white flakes and a mild flavour, and it is what most people in the south ask for. It’s battered and fried to order, so it’s crisp when it reaches you.
Should I sort the food myself?
Not sure whether to order in or book a van? Consider your numbers and how fresh you want it. Ask us for a quote and compare.
A DIY buffet works for small groups. For bigger numbers, a van makes life easier, and you get to enjoy the day.
Why choose funeral and wake catering in West Cross?
Nothing is wasted on an uncertain number of guests.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Pub wakes
- Memorial events and anniversaries
- Small family memorials
- Family gatherings after a burial or cremation
For a service at a church like Parish Church of St Mary, choosing a wake venue nearby helps older guests.
What your quote should include
- The deposit and payment dates
- Travel, tolls and road charges
- When final numbers are due
- Any minimum charge
Common questions in West Cross
Can you serve after a service at Parish Church of St Mary?
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. Send us the address.
Can the van go to venues in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles and ground, so check with yours. We will work to whatever the site needs.
Does the batter contain gluten?
Our battered fish contains gluten, because standard batter uses wheat flour. Tell us about coeliac guests when you enquire, and we’ll tell you honestly what we can offer.
Can the van park on grass?
That depends on the weather and the ground. Tell us about it when you enquire, and send a photo if you can.
Do you have allergen information?
We provide allergen information for everything we serve. Fish and gluten are the main ones in battered fish. Send us any allergies in writing.
Can our funeral director book for us?
Yes, many families prefer that.
What if we only have street parking?
It depends on the road. A drive, car park or yard is normally easier; for the street, check the council’s rules.
How long does set-up take?
It depends on numbers and the service time. We confirm all the timings beforehand.
Also in West Cross
- 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