Kent · England
Hog Roast for a Wake in River, Kent
From the first smell of roasting pork to the last piece of crackling, a hog roast for the wake turns the food into a centrepiece of your wake in River.
- Family get-togethers after a service
- Gatherings at clubs and pubs
- Church and village hall wakes
Funeral wake catering in River
About the food
Vegan burger or sausage (Ve)
Tell us how many vegans to expect, and we’ll bring enough vegan burgers or sausages.
Stuffing and apple sauce
A spoonful of apple sauce and a slice of stuffing turn a pork roll into a hog roast roll.
Funeral wake catering in River, slow-roasted on site
A wake might be at home, a village or church hall, a club or a pub. Wherever it is, the roaster cooks outdoors under cover, and we serve indoors where the venue allows. We’re frequently asked to cater anniversary memorials and wakes in village halls, serving halloumi skewers, roast pork in rolls or on plates and salads.
In River, the hall or the family home is a natural choice. Tell us about outdoor space for the roaster. You will know what’s included before you book: the date, the serving time, the menu and the plates, with no surprises on the day.
Events we cater in River
Alternatives are available.
Lots of different events suit a hog roast in River. Typical bookings include:
- Anniversary memorials
- Pub and club wakes
- Memorial gatherings
- Wakes at home
Relatives arriving by train should know that the closest railway station is Kearsney station, roughly 0.5 miles north-west of the centre.
What to look for in a quote
- VAT, if it applies
- Whether plates or china are included
- Travel and any London charges
- How dietary needs are handled
Where the roaster can go in River
The roaster needs space, cover and a safe distance from anything that could catch the heat. Before booking, check:
- The venue’s agreement to a gas-fired roaster
- A friend or relative we can call
- Parking close by for our vehicle
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
Popular choices
- Hog roast rolls
- Rotisserie chicken
- Salads
- Coleslaw
- Vegan option (Ve)
- Halloumi skewers (V)
- Stuffing and apple sauce
- New potatoes
How we price a hog roast for the wake
Each booking is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- How easy it is to reach the spot
- Numbers
- Whether you want china
- Which meats and sides you choose
UK price guides vary widely: roughly £10 a head for a simple roll, rising past £20 with more included. We quote every event individually, with everything listed.
Getting an accurate quote
To get the best quote, send us:
- Rough numbers
- Your menu choices
- The address or postcode
- Any dietary needs or allergies
To get a quote, just tell us the date, where the wake is and roughly how many. A photo of the cooking area helps. Send us your details through our quote form.
Planning for dietary needs
Standard rolls and stuffing contain gluten, so ask for gluten-free rolls if you need them. A few more tips:
- Request gluten-free rolls
- Stuffing normally contains gluten
- Find out who would prefer chicken or a vegetarian option
- Check with family about dietary needs
Afterwards we pack up quietly.
If there was a favourite dish from our menu, tell us.
Other occasions in River
Organising for someone else?
Many venues set rules for outside caterers, from approved lists to where a gas roaster can go. Ask early, and pass on anything they need from us.
Organisers may ask for documents such as a risk assessment or gas safety information. Let us know what your event requires and we will confirm what we can provide.
Step by step
The secret is time: hours of gentle heat make the pork soft and juicy while the skin crisps into crackling. Then it rests briefly before our chef carves. Summer evenings in River stay light until about 9:15pm, so people can spill into the garden.
- Share the date, place and numbers.
- We confirm availability and send a simple quote.
- We roast quietly during the service.
- Food is ready as guests gather.
- We clear away discreetly.
Before we arrive
- Measure the narrowest gate or passage
- Plan somewhere sheltered for people to eat if it rains
- Pick a flat, open area outside for cooking
How to get a price
For a quote, send us a few details: your date, your venue or postcode, how many people and any menu choices. Fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Questions from River
Can you cater after a service at Church of St Peter?
Yes, at a nearby hall, home or venue with room to cook outside. Food is typically served at the reception venue rather than the church. Tell us where you’ll gather.
Do you cater at venues in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules for caterers; ask your venue. We will follow the site rules.
Is crockery included?
Plates are included. China is available at an extra cost.
Do you come to River?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, River and the rest of Kent included. Send us the address for a quote.
What comes with the hog roast?
Pork, stuffing, apple sauce and crackling in a soft roll. Your quote lists any sides and extras.
Can you cater a wake at short notice?
Frequently, yes. Contact us as soon as you have a date and we’ll answer straight away.
Does the roaster have to be outside?
Outside, always. Serving indoors is generally fine if the venue is happy.
Where does the hog roast go?
A flat, open spot outside, and a way to wheel everything in. Send us a photo if you are unsure.
River: halls, homes and travel
River is about 1 mile north-west of Dover, in Kent. We set up the roaster at homes, halls, workplaces and venues in River. River is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent we cover. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 13 miles away.
If the funeral is at a church such as Church of St Peter, a hall or home nearby keeps the journey to the wake short. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 8 miles of River; tell us about access if the wake is somewhere rural. River is within about 3 miles of the sea.
We bring hog roasts to wakes all over the CT17 and CT16 postcode area and the streets around it. Streets in the area include Lower Road, Minnis Lane and London Road, and a wake on any of them works with a garden, drive or yard for the roaster. Nearby, we also cater wakes in Kearsney (1 mile north-west), Temple Ewell (1 mile north-west), Dover (1 mile south-east), Whitfield (1 mile north-east) and Maxton (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include Canterbury (13 miles north-west), Folkestone (6 miles south-west), Ramsgate (15 miles north-east), Deal (7 miles north-east), Hythe (10 miles south-west) and Walmer (7 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Crabble Corn Mill (less than half a mile south-east) and Dover Castle (2.2 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Dover Western Heights.
- Nearby schools include Dover Christ Church Academy (1.2 miles south-east) and St Edmund's Catholic School (1.4 miles south-east)
- Pubs nearby include Royal Oak Cottage The Royal Oak Public House (less than half a mile south)
A hog roast or other catering?
Some families mix a hog roast with cakes brought by friends, which is fine with us. Numbers make the biggest difference: the price per head usually falls as numbers rise, since much of the cost is fixed.
Why book with us
- Slow-roasted at your venue, not reheated
- Halloumi skewers and a vegan option too
- Rolls with stuffing, apple sauce and crackling
- A choice of salads and potatoes
Take a look at our prices page or what a hog roast costs.
- Cooked where you are, slowly, over several hours outdoors
- Freshly carved pork with crackling, stuffing and apple sauce
- Vegetarian and vegan choices, plus lamb or chicken if you like
- Served by our staff at the time you choose, then cleared away