Catering 

 

catered buffet


This catering guide is to assist you in planning your catered event. The contents of this booklet are a general guide and are in no way to be considered fixed. Menus can be changed, and we will be happy to discuss variations. We hope that such individual attention will assure a pleasant dining experience for your group. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to inquire. 

Placing a Catering Order

Please follow the guidelines below when placing a catering order on our food service catering form. If you need additional information, call the Catering Office in the cafeteria. Our staff is pleased to have the opportunity to participate in the coordination and planning of your event. Please give us the time we need to prepare for your event. While we may be able to accommodate your needs with less time, we prefer the opportunity to do our best for you.

  • Orders for refreshment breaks should be placed with the Catering Office three (3) working days before the event. 
  • Orders for meals and receptions should be placed no fewer than five (5) working days before the event. 
  • Your menu must be finalized two (2) working days prior to the function. 
  • Caterings of 100 people or more must be confirmed one (1) week in advance. 
  • Caterings of less than 100 people must be confirmed three (3) days in advance.
  • Orders placed with less than 24 hours notice - a twenty-five dollar ($25) late fee will be assessed.

For your and your guests' safety, the Illinois Health Department requires that all left-over food must stay on the premises of the catering site unless otherwise agreed to by the Catering Office.

Guarantees and Minimums

  • You will be billed on the basis of a guaranteed number. A 5% leeway is allowed.
  • Example: Food Service will prepare for 105 on a 100 person guarantee, but if the number attending is fewer than 100, you will be charged for 100.
  • Arrangements for banquets must be confirmed, changed, or canceled three (3) working days in advance. 
  • If the guarantee varies significantly from the estimate given, you will be responsible for expenses incurred, unless prior arrangements have been made. Due to ordering and delivery schedules, we must order supplies based on estimates.
  • A $15 minimum is required for each order.

Cancellation

  • All cancellations must be made at least 48 hours in advance to ensure that no charges will be made.
  • The cost of any penalty for late cancellation will be at the discretion of the dining service director.

Staffing

  • Set up and break down charges are included in the price of the event.
  • Attendants are extra for all functions unless otherwise noted. The set wages for our catering staff are $10.75 per hour. Please remember that there is a five (5) hour minimum for all service personnel.
  • The decision of how many service personnel are needed to serve with peak efficiency is at the discretion of the Director of Dining Services. As a standard, one server per 20 guests is required for served meals and one server per 50 guests is required for hors d’oeuvres parties.
  • Weekend events will be subject to an additional charge to cover any overtime wages that occur.

China Service

  • All dinners are served on China.
  • Paper service is provided for all continental setups, snacks, and beverage service unless otherwise agreed upon. 
  • There is a $2 per person charge for an upgrade to China Service, plus attendant fees. 

Alcohol Service

  • Dining Services can provide beer, wine and liquor for approved events on campus.
  • The cost of a bartender ($11 per hour for a Cash Bar and $16 per hour for a Host Bar) is additional. 
  • There is a minimum of five hours that is charged. 
  • If your alcohol event is an over/under program, an additional charge may be added for the cost of security personnel to check ID cards. 

Linens

  • Tablecloths will be provided for buffet tables at buffets, receptions, and continentals. 
  • Tablecloths will also be provided at the eating tables for any lunch and dinner. 
  • There will be a $3.50 charge incurred for any tablecloths ordered for receptions and continentals.

Flowers

  • Silk flowers on the buffet table or as a centerpiece for a sit down meal are included in the price of your dinner.
  • Any special floral arrangements or centerpieces may be obtained by dining services and billed out to your organization.

Healthy Choice Options

  • Items denoted with a ♥ are a part of our Healthy Choice Program. Please call us for nutritional information on these items.

Amenities

Any additional needs of your event, such as overhead projectors, microphone, podium, etc. are the responsibility of the party booking the function. We regret that Dining Services does not have the capabilities to handle these requests.

Billing Details

  • At the time of the initial booking, a cost will be given to your specific function.
  • Prices quoted do not include sales tax. 
  • A signed form with a copy of tax card is required for any tax exemption. 
  • After the completion of your event, you will be billed based on your guarantee, guest attendance in the case that more guests do attend, or the amount of food prepared.

You are not limited to this catering manual menu. If there is an item that you are interested in and it’s not on our menu, we will still prepare it for you. 

Catering Guide 2009 - 2010.pdf

Food Service Catering Form