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CATERING POLICIES

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Updated Date: 12/05/2024

BOOKING EVENTS/ORDERS: In order to create a customized estimate, we will need to know, at minimum, the date and timing of your event, the catering package desired ( DELIVERY; DELIVERY & SET-UP; DELIVERY, SET-UP & SERVE), and the highest estimated headcount. Our catering team will work with you—to whatever extent you desire—to design a menu best suited for you and your guests. Once you’re happy with your estimate as is, you will need to provide us with written approval or a signed copy. At that point, we will send you over your invoice, and you will be able to make a deposit and reserve the date.

DEPOSIT/PAYMENTS: All orders require a 50% deposit upon booking in order to confirm your order on our calendar. All deposits are nonrefundable. The remaining balance is due 14 days prior to the event. Payment in full must be received before we can service your

  • GRATUITY: If you’d like to tip your delivery or catering staff by credit card, you can add gratuity to your online payment manually (the secured site will give you that option) or the catering manager can add it as a line item to your invoice ahead of time. Cash is gratefully accepted the day of your event.

MAKING CHANGES TO HEADCOUNT: Estimates and invoices will be made according to the highest possible headcount. Changes to account for lowered headcount can be made up to 14 days prior to the event. Once we receive the final headcount, we will adjust quantities to reflect it and send out an updated invoice, if needed. Any changes to headcount will need to be made by the person who approved the estimate. If we do not hear from you by 14 days out, we will assume that headcount remains the same, and your invoice will be finalized as is. In the rare scenario that attendance ends up being more than 10% of your finalized number, we will make every effort to accommodate your group; however, we cannot make guarantees.

MAKING CHANGES TO MENU: After approving your estimate, you may make changes to your menu (in terms of items or quantity) up to 14 days prior to the event. Ideally, only changes to account for lowered headcount should be made after you have approved the estimate; however, we understand that unexpected changes can arise during the planning of an event. Any changes to the menu will need to be made by the person who approved the estimate. We reserve the right to make menu and/or price changes up to 14 days out from the event in the case of significant changes in market price or availability of a product. In the case of increased cost or changed availability, you will be notified as soon as possible.

CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations received less than 30 days before the event will not be refunded in any way.

  • SEVERE WEATHER POLICY: Severe weather is defined as CT State Closing, Interstate Road Closings, or Acts of God (tornado, earthquake). Any cancellation received within 36 hours of an event due to severe weather will result in a charge of 30% of the bill unless the event is rescheduled in a timely manner. Any cancellation received with more than 48 hours’ notice due to severe weather will be canceled with no charge.

KEEPING FOOD HOT: If you have a time delay between when your order is being g served (or when everyone is going to be able to eat), we offer the following for keeping your food at temperature (in addition to keeping food warm in ovens at a low temperature at your event’s location): 

CHAFING DISH SETS: Chafing dish sets hold 1 tray or 2 half trays and use sterno to keep food hot for up to two hours. Ice can be added to the trays for cold items. Chafing dishes can be added to any order (see menu for pricing). For DELIVERY + SET-UP as well as DELIVERY, SET-UP & SERVE catering packages, our staff will take care of setting them up.

PLACE SETTINGS: Place settings can be added to your order (see the menu for pricing). If you add place settings (plate, silverware & napkin) to your order (for entrees or appetizers), we default to our basic disposable entrée plates and silverware. We do offer faux china plates and faux silver utensils as well (see the menu for pricing). For events that we are staffing, we will need to know what your plan is for place settings (ideally before finalizing your estimate but at latest by 30 days out). You are welcome to purchase them through us, to provide your own disposable plates, to use non-disposable plates provided by you or your venue, or to use china you’ve rented from a company. If you rent china, you will be responsible for the cleanup and return of same. 

NOTES FOR OFF-SITE CATERING PACKAGES: Catering packages come with some time, staffing, and distance included. If your order exceeds those, the catering manager will modify your catering package as needed. These modifications will appear on your invoice as fees.

  • TRAVEL FEE: All off-site catering packages include service within a 30-mile radius. If your event is outside that radius, a travel fee will be added that is customized for your event. 
  • ADD’L TIME & ADD’L CATERING CREW: Our DELIVERY, SET-UP & SERVE package includes 2 hours of service and 2 staff members. The catering manager will add add’l time and add’l staff to your catering package as needed based on your menu, your event’s timing (including if there is a cocktail hour), and your event’s headcount. These additional charges will appear on your estimate/invoice as “Add’l Catering Crew” and “Add’l Time,” and the catering manager will review them with you as needed. If your event goes over the time included on your invoice, we will send you an updated invoice after your event.
  • TEMPORARY FOOD SERVICE PERMIT/LICENSE: This is a pass-through cost if required by the local health department or venue. Whether or not there is a cost and what it is will be determined within a month or so of your event. If you have already paid your bill in full and there ends up being an additional cost, the catering manager will send you an updated invoice.
  • SERVICE CHARGE:  All staffed catering packages (DELIVERY, SET-UP & SERVE) include our service charge (18% of total invoiced price). Gratuity can be added on top of this but is not expected.
  • BUFFET TABLES & TABLE COVERINGS: For events that we are staying onsite to staff, we are happy to use tables provided by you or your venue for the buffet (and appetizers, if applicable), or we are happy to provide our own. We will need to know your plan for buffet tables and table coverings by 14 days out.
  • BEVERAGES/DESSERT: We are a food-only caterer and do not offer water refilling, other dinner-beverage services, or an after-dinner coffee-and-tea service. We also do not provide dessert, cake cutting, or dessert serving. We will be on-site from set-up to the end of entrée serving (and do not stay through the end of the event or provide clean-up of the venue outside of the buffet area). For beverage, dessert, or additional clean-up services, we suggest checking in with your other vendors, including your venue and your bartender. We can offer suggested bakeries and provide bartending service. Please ask for details.