Preferred Catering Provider

CMU Catering is the preferred catering provider for any on-campus, non-student organized catering event for 10 or more people. Any event with food, organized by a campus department, staff, or faculty member with more than 10 people in attendance requires service provided by CMU Catering or a food waiver which has been approved by CMU Catering.

Food Waiver:

If you seek an exception to this contract requirement, a food waiver, with proper cause, may be approved by CMU Catering. The link to the food waiver can be found on https://dineoncampus.com/cmichdining under the Catering tab.

Food waivers are required for all events on campus with outside food provided.

Food waivers must be submitted 14 business days prior to your event.  Any food waiver submitted less than 14 business days prior to your event will not be considered.  

If a food waiver is approved, this waves all liability on CMU Catering from any issues that may arise.  

Quality Service:

CMU Catering is proud to provide the highest quality catering to the Central Michigan University community and beyond. We have developed the following guidelines and policies to successfully respond to your needs and serve you to the fullest.

Catering Guidelines & Policies

Catering Orders:

Catering orders will include all necessary plates, utensils, napkins, and condiments in quantities consistent with your order. We also supply all food and beverage equipment needed to ensure food is served properly.

Standard buffets are available for up to 2 hours unless otherwise specified and approved by the catering team.

National Brand Catering:

Catering services are also available through the national brands on campus, these include Which Wich, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Subway, Freddy’s, and Slim Chickens. For catering inquiries regarding these locations, please contact the respective departments directly or ask CMU Catering to provide you with the appropriate contact information.

Dietary Needs:

CMU Catering is committed to accommodating dietary allergies and restrictions. While we strive to meet all special dietary needs, please note that some dietary preferences or personal diets may not be able to be accommodated.

Allergen Warning: Be aware that we handle and prepare egg, milk, wheat, shellfish, fish, soy, peanut and tree nut products, sesame products, and other potential allergens in the food production areas of our facility. While we cannot guarantee the complete absence of these allergens, we take food allergy safety seriously. Please contact CMU Catering at catering@cmich.edu for questions regarding dietary allergens so we can do our best to help you make an informed decision.

China and Linen Service:

China and linen service can be rented for your event at an additional charge. CMU Catering provides linens for all buffet tables at no additional charge. Guest table linens along with china and glassware are included when a full-service menu is ordered at the Bovee University Center meeting rooms. If you would like to upgrade to china and glassware at any location outside of the Bovee University Center, these can be provided at an additional charge of $5.00 per guest for a full china set including folded napkins or $2.50 for rolled silverware in a linen napkin. We have a variety of options for adding linens to any event. Please contact the Catering Sales Office regarding options and associated costs or visit our website: cmu-catering.catertrax.com.

Delivery and Set-Up:

Our catering attendants will deliver, set up, and pick up your order at your requested location. If you are hosting an important all-day event or a large-scale meeting that requires more attention than just a set-up, delivery, and pick-up, we can arrange for you to have a catering attendant to tend to any immediate needs that arise. Speak to our catering manager to schedule an attendant to ensure your event is a success.

Room Reservations:

Prior to placing your catering order, please contact Events and Conference Services at plan@cmich.edu or 989-774-7526. It is the responsibility of the customer to make arrangements for the room set-up, tables, trash removal, and A/V needs. If you would like assistance in determining the number and size of tables you will require or what time our catering team needs access to the room, our Catering Sales Office will be happy to assist you.

Customized Menus:

Our skilled chefs are excited to design unique menus tailored to your culinary preferences, dietary requirements, and budget. To ensure we meet your needs, please allow a two-week lead time from the date of your request for a custom menu. For a personalized consultation, please reach out directly to the Catering Sales Office.

If a custom menu is provided by our culinary team and the event is canceled, charges may occur depending on the ingredients purchased for the custom menu.

Advance Notice:

To ensure the highest level of service and quality, we recommend placing your catering order as early as possible. Early orders allow our team to meticulously plan and prepare, ensuring that every detail is attended to for your event.

We understand that last-minute needs do arise, and every effort will be made to accommodate late catering requests. However, please note that menu availability may be limited with last-minute requests. Orders placed less than 5 business days in advance will be subject to a late fee of up to 10% of the total invoice.

Guaranteed Guest Counts:

CMU Catering requires a final guest count 5 business days prior to your event. If a final count is not received within the 5 business days prior to the event, the last communicated guest count will be used. All catering functions will be billed at 100% of the final guest count or number of guests served, whichever is greater. Your catering sales consultant will advise you of your final count date.

Minimum Guest Counts:

For orders placed under the minimum quantity required, guests will be charged for the full price of the minimum count regardless of their guest count.

Event Cancellations:

Catering orders are tailored specifically for your meeting or event. To avoid penalties, cancellations must be made at least three business days prior to the scheduled event time. Events canceled with less than three business days’ notice will be subject to charges at the discretion of CMU Catering, based on the preparation status of your event at the time of cancellation.

In the event of an emergency or natural causes, CMU Catering will consider the circumstances and determine if any charges will be incurred for canceled events.

Pricing:

Please contact CMU Catering to price any items not listed in this brochure. Pricing is subject to change depending on market cost, inflation, and labor costs. CMU Catering will not give a confirmed price more than six months prior to the event, as prices can fluctuate substantially in either direction within that time.

Delivery/Pick up Fee:

For off-campus events within the city of Mt. Pleasant, a $25 delivery fee will be applied to your invoice. For all other deliveries beyond the Mt. Pleasant area, the delivery charge will be assessed based on the travel distance.  If multiple visits are required, a delivery and/or pick-up fee will be applied per visit.

After Hours Fee:

Regardless of the location of the event, an additional charge will be applied if the event starts before 7:00 AM or after 9:00 PM.

Multiple Entrée Service Charge:

Multiple entrées will be limited to two options for parties of 50 and under. For parties of over 50, entrées will be limited to three options. If a vegetarian option is desired, it must be included within the numbers allowed above. Special dietary requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis and may be subject to additional costs.  For plated and served meals that include more than one entrée selection, there will be a charge of $5.00 per additional entrée.

When selecting a menu with more than one option, all attendees must choose their entrée prior to the start of the event and a menu card or name tag must be supplied by the client.

Plated and served meals that involve additional courses, hand-passed hors d’oeuvres, or a quick setup may incur extra charges to ensure the highest quality service for you and your guests. These additional charges may also apply to other services not limited to the ones mentioned above.

Decorations:

Any decorations or special requests, such as themes, special linen, fresh flowers, centerpieces, ice carvings, etc., will vary in pricing depending on the specific request of the guest. Prices will not be confirmed until after the items have been ordered or created.

Sales Tax:

Events not related to CMU activities, including some registered student groups, will be subject to a 6% sales tax. If tax exempt, proper documentation must be on file prior to the event.

Perishable Food Policy:

In adherence to local health department regulations, it is our strict policy that there will be no packaging of leftovers or credit given for perishable food not consumed at your event.  If any food is removed from the event, CMU Catering assumes no responsibility for the quality or safety of these items.

Bar Operations:

If you are planning to have a bar on campus, please consider the following guidelines. Only licensed spaces are permitted to sell alcohol. Licensed spaces include The Bovee University Center, Powers Ballroom, and McGuirk Arena. All other campus spaces are considered non-licensed and may host a bar only if an alcohol exemption letter is approved by the President’s Office. CMU Catering team can assist you with submitting this letter, which requires 21 days for processing. For certain events, a special license may be requested from the State of Michigan to allow alcohol sales in non-licensed spaces. This request is not guaranteed and requires at least three months advance notice.

The bar setup fee varies depending on the type of bar requested:

·       Standard Beer and Wine: $75.00

·       Standard Full Bar with Beer, Wine, and Liquor: $125.00

·       Specialty or custom bars: Pricing may vary based on specific requests.

Bartender fees are $25.00 per hour per bartender, including setup and breakdown time. CMU Catering will determine the number of bartenders needed based on the event size and the types of beverages being served.