Kent · England
Funeral and wake catering in Yelsted, Kent
Planning fish and chips for the wake in Yelsted? We bring the van to you and fry everything fresh on the spot.
- Wakes at venues
- Memorial events and anniversaries
- Remembering a loved one’s favourite food
Funeral and wake catering in Yelsted
Wakes in Yelsted: venues and practical details
Yelsted is about 3 miles south-east of Gillingham, in Kent. Yelsted is well within our area, so all we need is your date, a parking spot and a time to serve. We cover all 922 towns and villages in Kent. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 20 miles away.
The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 5 miles of Yelsted, and rural venues there may have narrow lanes, so tell us about access.
This part of Kent takes in ME9, so your wake can be anywhere in it. Streets in the area include Yelsted Road and Yelsted Lane, and the van can serve a wake on any of them with a suitable parking spot. Other places close to Yelsted we cover include Stockbury (1 mile east), Meresborough (1 mile north), Hartlip (1 mile north-east), Lower Hartlip (2 miles north-east) and Rainham (2 miles north). We also serve nearby towns such as Maidstone (6 miles south-west), Sittingbourne (5 miles east), Gravesend (12 miles north-west), Faversham (12 miles east), Northfleet (14 miles north-west) and Minster (10 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include KIMS hospital (4 miles south-west). Within reach you’ll find Detling Hill.
- Nearby schools include Leigh Academy Rainham (2.2 miles north)
Funeral and wake catering in Yelsted, cooked to order
Funerals are often arranged at short notice, so contact us as soon as you can. For family gatherings after a burial or cremation and memorial events and anniversaries, we can cook pie and chips, sausage and chips and gravy.
For a wake near Yelsted, a farmhouse or village hall often works well. Everything is fried fresh at your wake, never cooked in advance and left in a hot cabinet, and handed over as soon as it is ready.
Before you choose a spot
Before the day, we will agree where the van parks. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- A level, firm spot the van can drive onto
- Light near the van and the queue for evening service
- Permission from the venue or landowner for the van
Not sure about the spot? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
From the hatch
- Gravy
- Haddock and chips
- Cod and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Mushy peas
- Pie and chips
Looking after everyone
A little planning makes sure everyone is looked after. Here’s how:
- Ask a friend to run a tea table
- Name a contact for the day who isn’t close family
- Keep the serving time flexible
- Let us know of any allergies
We park quietly before guests return from the service.
Photos or a memory book give people something to share.
Organising for someone else?
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll explain how it works. We are happy to liaise with facilities on parking and timings.
Parks, greens and streets generally need permission for a catering van. Ask the council or landowner early.
What a fish and chip van costs
Every booking is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- Travel, tolls and road charges
- Access and parking
- The menu and how many choices
- How many people are eating
Compared with a sit-down meal, a fish and chip van is often good value, as there is no kitchen to hire and nothing to wash up. Ask us for a quote.
What to tell us
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but these help:
- Where the event is
- Your date and serving time
- A picture of where the van would go
- Access details such as gates and narrow lanes
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: where the van would park, how to get in, numbers and timings. A picture of the spot helps too. To send your details, use our quote form.
What happens on the day
We arrive on time, pulls onto the spot you’ve chosen and the hatch goes up. When the fryers are up to heat, service starts at the time you asked for. In summer, a wake in Yelsted has light until about 9:15pm, but in December it’s dark by about 3:50pm, so plan lighting near the door.
- Start with three things: the date, the place and a rough headcount.
- 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.
- 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.
How to prepare
- Let us know the serving time
- Get permission for the van from the venue
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
Ask for a quote
Every quote is worked out for your event. Give us your date first, and we will check availability straight away.
Related guides
A chip van compared with other options
Making food yourself for a wake is a lot to take on. A van takes that off your hands. The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, since the van and set-up are much the same for any size. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why book with us
- Hot food handed straight over
- Mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy on the side
- Classic food your guests already know
- No surprises in your quote
Towns and villages near Yelsted
More for events in Yelsted
Occasions we serve in Yelsted
It can be a fitting tribute.
If you are planning any of these, we can help:
- Remembering a loved one’s favourite food
- Scattering of ashes gatherings
- Wakes at home
- Life celebrations
Relatives arriving by train should know that Rainham (Kent) station is about 2.5 miles away.
What to look for in a quote
- Any minimum charge
- The van’s size and access needs
- What the price includes, item by item
- Whether VAT is included
Should I sort the food myself?
DIY food keeps costs down, but the host spends the event serving. Booking the van means hot food and no stress.
A DIY buffet works for small groups. For bigger numbers, a van makes life easier, and you get to enjoy the day.
Your questions about fish and chips for the wake in Yelsted
How far is Yelsted from London?
About 33 miles from central London, and well within our area.
Is Yelsted too small for a chip van?
Not at all. We serve villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and the ground.
What can guests choose from?
Fish and chips, of course, with sausages and pies for anyone who does not want fish. Mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy go on the side.
Can you serve children?
Children are very welcome. Tell us how many children, and we will include them in the plan.
How do we estimate numbers?
A rough estimate is enough to start. Your funeral director can help.
Can you cater a wake at short notice?
Ask as soon as you have the date. We will let you know quickly.
Can coeliacs eat the battered fish?
Not as standard: batter is typically made with wheat flour. Let us know and we’ll tell you what we can do before you book.
Is there a non-fish option?
There is: sausages and pies, with chips. Tell us roughly how many to expect.
- 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