WHEN the director calls cut, the catering van is often the first port of call for movie legends and humble extras.The stars of the big screen are being kept well fed on the film set with the help of a family-run Acle business.

WHEN the director calls cut, the catering van is often the first port of call for movie legends and humble extras.

The stars of the big screen are being kept well fed on the film set with the help of a family-run Acle business.

Stainless steel products company, Broadland Stainless, has fitted out several catering vans that have been on the set of top movies including James Bond film Casino Royale, the last two Harry Potter films and Abba-inspired film musical Mamma Mia!

The latest job involved the complete conversion of a haulage truck into a mobile kitchen that serves up to 1,000 covers per day to hungry actors and crew members.

The truck, owned by London-based Crew Catering, was used during the shooting of Mamma Mia! at Pinewood Studios and on location in Greece.

Broadland Stainless general manager Chris Mansfield got a taste of life on set during a visit to Pinewood Studios.

“It gave me an interesting insight into what really is a fantasy world; I saw Pierce Brosnan wandering around and the director eating in a tent,” said Chris.

“The catering trucks are not cooking fast food, but top notch a la carte-style dishes. Everyone gets served there, but the director and the stars don't have to queue-up and have runners that go to the back door.”

The truck was fitted out at the Broadland Stainless base on New Road, Acle last year and recently returned for a service and deep clean.

Owned by Chris's parents Robert and Jeanette, the company manufactures everything from a single wall shelf to a complete kitchen for homes and businesses. “The chefs are working so hard doing 20 hour shifts on set and after each shoot we give the catering trucks a deep clean to keep them looking tip-top,” explained Chris.

“We started out doing small refits for catering trucks and that part of the business has grown and grown, we have the advantage of being able to do a complete conversion in one place.”

Visit www.broadlandstainless.co.uk.