Why skip the turkey?
By mid December, many people have already had two or three Christmas dinners at work dos, school events and family gatherings. A different kind of meal is often welcome. Hot fish and chips on a cold evening is festive in its own way: generous, warming and something everyone queues for happily.
Ideas that work
- A fish and chip van in the car park: no venue to book, no taxis, and teams on different shifts can all eat
- A chip van at the Christmas fair: hot food for visitors at a school, church or village fair
- Christmas lunch for the warehouse or depot: food served in the yard for each shift
- A family get-together: the van on the drive on Boxing Day or New Year’s Day, if the caterer is working
- Club and society socials: sports clubs, choirs and groups after their last session of the year
Plan for the dark
In December it’s dark by about 4pm across the South East, so lighting matters more than at any other time of year. The van usually has light at the hatch, but the queue and the path to it may not. Put the van somewhere already lit, or add festoon lights or work lights, and keep the walk from the door short.
Plan for the cold and wet
A fish and chip van cooks inside, so the weather doesn’t stop it. But people won’t want to stand in the rain. Keep the queue short by staggering teams, serve near a covered doorway or put up a gazebo, and give people somewhere warm to eat.
Timings
For a lunchtime party, tell your caterer your break times. For an evening party, decide whether food comes early, to line stomachs before the drinks flow, or later as a second wind. Earlier is usually better at a work party.
Book early
The Christmas party season is short, and Fridays in early and mid December are the busiest days of the catering year. If you know your date in the summer, enquire then. Weekday lunches and early December dates are often easier to find.
Make it festive
- Christmas music near the van
- Paper hats and crackers on the tables
- A hot drinks station, run by your team, alongside the van
- A charity collection for a local food bank
Dietary needs
Collect allergies and dietary needs on the invitation, and send them to your caterer in writing. Standard batter contains gluten and fish is a major allergen, so make sure people know what’s available.
A Christmas party checklist
- Book the van as early as possible
- Choose a lit, level spot near a door
- Plan cover for the queue
- Agree serving times around breaks and shifts
- Collect allergies in advance
- Tell facilities or the venue about the van
- Have bins and napkins ready
Christmas at a depot or warehouse
For logistics, manufacturing and depot teams, a meal out isn’t always possible because the operation can’t stop. A van in the yard lets every shift have a hot Christmas meal at work. Agree service windows for each shift with the caterer, and put the van somewhere safe, away from vehicle movements and loading bays.
Christmas fairs
School, church and village Christmas fairs are often held on dark, cold late afternoons. A hot-food van gives visitors a reason to stay. Organisers should check where the van can park, what lighting is available and whether there’s power. A short menu helps, since people often want something quick before heading home.
Family gatherings
Not every Christmas get-together needs a turkey. For a big family gathering over the festive season, a fish and chip van on the drive takes the pressure off whoever would normally be cooking. Ask early, as caterers’ availability over the holidays varies.
Budgeting for a Christmas party
Christmas parties at venues often come with a fixed package price per head, which can add up for a big team. A van in your own car park can be better value, because there’s no venue hire and no taxis. Ask for a quote that includes the service window you need, travel and any minimum charge, and compare it with the venue packages on the same basis.
Inclusive Christmas parties
Not everyone celebrates Christmas, drinks alcohol or enjoys a late night. A lunchtime fish and chip van treat in the car park is an easy, inclusive way to mark the end of the year for the whole team. Call it an end-of-year lunch if that suits your workplace better.
Last-minute bookings
December fills up quickly, but cancellations do happen. If your date is close and you haven’t booked, ask anyway. Have your date, site, numbers and service time ready so the caterer can give you a quick answer.
Keeping everyone safe
Dark, wet car parks and Christmas drinks are a combination to plan for. Put the van where people won’t be walking between moving cars, keep the route well lit and clear of trip hazards, and make sure the queue isn’t on an icy slope. If drinks are being served, serve the food early, and make sure everyone has a safe way home.
Quick answers about Christmas vans
Can the van serve inside a marquee? No: it parks outside, and guests come to the hatch. Can it serve at a pub? Only if the pub agrees and there’s a suitable spot outside. Can we have it on Christmas Eve? Ask early, as availability over the holidays is limited.
A note on noise
Evening events near homes should keep noise sensible. Tell neighbours about the party, keep music at a reasonable level and finish at a sensible time. Generators and fryers make some noise too, so park the van away from bedroom windows where you can.
Quick answers
Can a chip van come to a work Christmas party?
Yes, if there’s a level spot for it and the site allows it.
When should we book for December?
As early as you can. Fridays go first.
Will it be too cold?
The food is hot and the cooking is inside the van. Plan cover and lighting for the queue.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll check the date and send a quote.