Reading · England
Film Set Catering for Play Hatch
Something for nearly everyone: hog roast rolls, lamb, rotisserie chicken, halloumi skewers and a vegan option, with salads and potatoes on the side. Film set catering in Play Hatch.
- Historic house shoots
- Shoots on location
- Base catering
Planning an event in Play Hatch?
For planners, venues and organisers
Organisers may ask for documents such as a risk assessment or gas safety information. Tell us what you need and we will confirm what we can provide.
For workplace bookings, ask your facilities team about outside caterers and gas cooking. We will fit in with site rules.
Film set catering in Play Hatch, carved to order
There are options for crew who don’t eat pork, and we provide allergen information for every dish. For farm and estate locations and commercials and music videos, we will put together a menu of rotisserie chicken, spit-roast lamb and halloumi skewers.
Rural locations near Play Hatch can be a long way from food, so lunch at base matters. We bring plates as standard, with china available if you’d like it, at an extra cost.
Planning a shoot in Play Hatch
Play Hatch is about 1 mile east of Caversham, in Reading. We are happy to travel to Play Hatch for shoots. We cater all 34 towns and villages across Reading.
Play Hatch is roughly 36 miles from central London, within easy reach for London-based crews. For crew arriving by train, Reading station is about 2.2 miles away.
Anywhere in RG4, we can bring the roaster to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. That could mean a shoot in a garden on Dene Close, Henley Road and Foxhill Lane or the roads around them, as long as there is somewhere outside to cook. Other places close to Play Hatch we cover include Dunsden Green (1 mile north), Caversham Park Village (1 mile west), Littlestead Green (1 mile north-west), Emmer Green (1 mile west) and Sonning (1 mile south-east). Further out, we also cater in Norcot (4 miles west), West Reading (3 miles south-west), Tilehurst Within (5 miles west), Shinfield (5 miles south), Arborfield Garrison (7 miles south) and Horncastle (5 miles south-west).
A little further out are The Oracle (2.4 miles south-west) and Royal Berkshire Hospital (2.3 miles south-west). The countryside around Play Hatch includes Alder Moors and South Lake.
- Local schools include Reading Blue Coat School (1 mile south-east) and Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre (1.8 miles west)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Shoulder of Mutton pub (within half a mile south-west)
Where the roaster can go in Play Hatch
A hog roast cooks outdoors for hours, so the spot matters, and a little planning goes a long way:
- A level area at base
- Away from vehicles and equipment
- A covered eating area
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
What we serve
- Hog roast rolls
- New potatoes
- Vegan option (Ve)
- Salads
- Halloumi skewers (V)
- Rotisserie chicken
- Stuffing and apple sauce
- Spit-roast lamb
Allergies and dietary needs
We give full allergen information for every dish. To make the most of it:
- Share the allergen list with the crew
- Remember stuffing normally contains gluten
- Halal isn’t offered
- Count crew needing an alternative
We work to the location’s rules.
Ask about china.
About the food
Crackling
Long, slow roasting turns the skin into crackling, and there is a piece for everyone who wants it.
Spit-roast lamb
Adding lamb gives people a choice of two roasts, which works well for larger groups.
Why choose film set catering in Play Hatch?
We’re self-contained at base.
Lots of different events suit a hog roast. Typical bookings include:
- Base catering
- Commercials and music videos
- Period locations
- End-of-shoot wraps
Among the historic houses close to Play Hatch are Mapledurham House (4.4 miles west) and Greys Court (4.6 miles north). If you’re shooting at a historic house, the roaster will need a base agreed with the property.
What your quote should include
- The menu, including sides and any extras
- Whether plates or china are included
- If the price includes VAT
- Exactly what’s included in the price
How we price a hog roast for the crew
Each price is built from:
- How many people are eating
- Which meats and sides you choose
- Busy dates such as summer Saturdays
- The journey to the venue
What you pay covers the meat, the chef and staff, and hours of roasting. A long, slow roast means an early start, which is built into the price.
Details that help
When you enquire, please mention:
- The address or postcode
- Which meats and sides you’d like
- Rough numbers
- A photo of the cooking area
Getting a quote is simple: tell us when, where, how many and what time you’d like to eat. We will reply with a clear price and what’s included. Use our quote form.
Places near Play Hatch
More for events in Play Hatch
Is a hog roast right for your shoot?
Compared with a barbecue, one roast serves everyone together. The main driver is numbers: bigger groups usually cost less per head, since much of the cost is fixed.
Why book with us
- An itemised quote
- Serving and clearing done for you
- Slow-roasted at your venue, not reheated
- Carved by our chef in front of your crew
Read our prices page or the cost guide.
Step by step
From setting up to the last roll, we look after the food, so you can enjoy your shoot in Play Hatch. Summer shoots near Play Hatch have light until about 9:25pm, which suits an evening wrap at base.
- Send us the location, dates and lunch time.
- We check access to base and quote.
- The roast starts early.
- We serve when lunch is called.
- We pack away straight after.
How to prepare
- Pick a flat, open area outside for cooking
- Check there is a route to wheel the equipment in, without steps
- Gather dietary requirements early
How to get a price
The quickest way to get a price is to send us your date, venue and numbers. A photo of the cooking area helps. Fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Common questions in Play Hatch
Do you come out to small places like Play Hatch?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and the cooking spot.
How far is Play Hatch from London?
Roughly 36 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Is mains power needed?
Cooking is gas-fired, so no mains power is needed for the roast. A socket nearby is useful for lighting.
What happens in bad weather?
The roaster is under cover, so a shower does not stop us. Plan somewhere sheltered for eating.
How far ahead should we book?
Summer Saturdays and December book up first. For other dates, a few weeks can be enough. Ask and we will check.
How big a hog will we need?
The roast is chosen to suit how many you are feeding, so a good estimate matters. We will confirm the menu in the quote.
Can we hire the machine and cook it ourselves?
DIY machine hire is available. We’ll explain what’s supplied and how it works when we quote.
Where does the hog roast go?
A level, open area outdoors with room for the roaster, a gazebo and a carving table, away from buildings, marquee walls and overhanging trees. We will confirm the space with your quote.
- Slow-roasted on site for hours, outdoors at your event
- Our chef carves the pork, with stuffing, apple sauce and crackling on the side
- Lamb, chicken and vegetarian options alongside the pork
- Staff to serve at the agreed time, then clear away