Policies

Service

University Catering estimates 1 server to 18 guests for a served event. University Catering estimates 1 server/attendant to 30 guests for a buffet event. University Catering also provides additional event support staff as needed to transport, run food, set up and tear down events as needed. University Catering calculates all labor required to work an event into the overall cost estimate to the client. Any additional personnel requested by the client to be at the event will be charged according to the following scale (port to port):

University Catering charges a 20% service fee for to cover the set-up and take-down costs associated with a staffed event. Events that require unscheduled service (due to client actions) to an event venue to set up or take down an event may result in an additional 20% Service Fee or a $70.00 Service Fee whichever is greater. A $25.00 Delivery Fee is added to all events outside the Union that do not require University Catering personnel to serve at the event.

 

Orders

All orders for catering need to be placed and confirmed at least 3 days prior to the event. Events requested and confirmed with less than a 3 day notice could result in an additional 20% service fee or $70.00 Booking Fee whichever is greater.

Cancellation

Events cancelled with less than a 3 day notice could be subject to a cancellation charge up to the full confirmed amount of the event. University Catering will work with all clients to keep cancellation charges to a minimum.

Changes

Significant changes or multiple changes to a confirmed event with less than a 3 day notice could be subject to an additional 20% service charge or a $70.00 Change Fee whichever is greater. University Catering will work with clients to keep change charges to a minimum. Changes resulting in a significant reduction from the original scope of an event (guest count, food order) could be subject to an additional 20% service charge or a $70.00 Change Fee whichever is greater. Significant changes to a confirmed event may also result in an overall price adjustment. Please speak with your University Catering representative when making changes to an event.

Event Duration

University Catering calculates its pricing based upon the following Event Duration criteria: Served Meals: 1.5 hours from confirmed start of service to the confirmed end of service. Buffets and Receptions: 2 hours from the confirmed start of service to the confirmed end of service. Events running longer than these parameters may be subject to an additional service fee. University Catering will work with clients to keep these costs to a minimum.

Event Delays

Events that end later than the confirmed time could result in additional labor charges based upon the following scale:

(End of Event – When catering personnel can begin to take down the event)

 

Payment

For all clients that are not a department of The University of Utah, University Catering requires a 50% deposit on all confirmed events 3 days prior to the event and payment in full on the day of the event. Any additional charges incurred during the event will be due in full the following business day.

Deposit Procedures:

Credit Cards – A charge to the credit card provided to University Catering will be charged 50% of the total amount of the confirmed event 3 days prior to the event. The remaining balance due for the event will be charged to the card (+/- any adjustments) the following business day. Cash/Check – 50% of the total amount of a confirmed event will be due to University Catering 3 days prior to the event. The remaining balance due for the event will be due at the conclusion of the event. Any adjustments (+/-) to the total balance due will be settled the following business day.

Guarantees

When an event is priced per person, University Catering will charge the client the confirmed number of guests or actual number of guests served whichever is greater.

Hours of Operation

University Catering Sales Office Hours of Operation:

Proposals for events on non-operating days may be subject to an additional service charge. Any events confirmed to begin before normal operating hours and or end after normal operating hours may be subject to an additional 20% Service Fee or $70.00 Service Fee whichever is greater.

 

Tastings

University Catering does tastings with clients to sample a proposed menu and to get feedback on the items sampled for a confirmed event. The costs of tastings are built into the price of the confirmed event and need to take place at least 3 business days prior to the event. Tastings for unconfirmed events can be ordered for up to 4 people as a catered event and take place in the Conference Room of University Catering. The charge for the unconfirmed event tasting may be waived if University Catering is selected for the proposed event.

Menu Structure

University Catering accommodates guests with special dietary requirements. Usually, these accommodations are done with no additional cost to the client however, University Catering may charge an additional Production Fee of special diet meals based upon the complexity of the requirements. Request for multiple entrees and sides to be produced for one single event that are in addition to a standard published menu could result in an additional production fee. University Catering offers discounts on multiple order events such as breakfast, lunch and dinner for a particular group during the day or continuous days. Please speak with your University Catering Representative to discuss these options. University Catering will not act as a subcontractor or secondary provider for an event unless approved by the Director of University Catering. Exceptions do apply. Please speak with your University Catering Representative for more details.

Equipment

Equipment used at catered events should not leave the premise where the event is being held. The cost of any equipment that cannot be located when the event is being picked up will be charged to the event invoice.

Food Safety

Unless specifically ordered and contracted as carry-out-items, no food or related products may be removed from the service area, except by authorized representatives of University Catering. University Catering cannot provide containers for packaging leftover food.

Minimums

Please refer to the catering guide for minimum orders on particular items. Exceptions to the minimum order policy CAN BE ACCOMODATED. Please call your University Catering Sales Representative for details.