The Basics
Before submitting your catering order, please work with an event coordinator in Hospitality Services to schedule a room/venue for your event. Please follow these guidelines for placing your event:
25 guests or more – (2) weeks in advance
100 guests or more – (3) weeks in advance
200 guests or more – (4) weeks in advance
Events booked after these timeline guidelines may be subject to menu restrictions and additional fees or charges.
Please note that events ordered less than (5) business days in advance are subject to product and staff availability.
Guest Count
The final guest count will be used as your guarantee and should be articulated to PLU Catering (5) business days prior to your event. Our final billing will be either the guaranteed count or the actual guest count, whichever is higher.
Service Ware and Rental Items
China service is provided within the Anderson University Center at no additional cost for groups of 200 or fewer guests. For larger groups or special requests, it may be necessary to rent equipment and serving ware. All applicable rental fees will be added to your bill.
Linen, Floral, and Candles
Luncheons and dinners scheduled inside the Anderson University Center will be set with white linen tablecloths and napkins. Lunch and dinner meals come with standard white tablecloths and linen for the food and beverage tables. Please let us know if you have ordered additional tables for name tags, registration or other purposes and if you would like those covered with linen.
A variety of colored napkins are available for events booked four weeks in advance at an additional charge.
We would be happy to arrange floral delivery for your event. Please let us know at least four weeks in advance if you would like flowers or foliage
A specific type of votive candle has been approved by the Pierce County Fire Marshall and is available for rent at $2.00 each, if you would prefer candles at your event.. Please note that no other candles may be used on campus.
Payment Arrangement
If you are representing a PLU department or group, please be sure to include your Banner Account Number when you place your order on our website. If your event is for a private group, we require a Visa or MasterCard number to secure your catering request.
Alternate Entrée Options
In order to ensure we meet all of your guests expectations in providing both a delicious and nutritious meal, we consider each individual’s specific dietary requirements and needs when working with you in your menu selection. Please provide us with your guests’ special dietary needs within 10 business days prior to your event. Our chef will select alternative entrées, i.e. vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, that will compliment your event based on your main entree choice.
If you would like to offer your guests the choice of 2 entrées (not including the dietary exceptions), please note there will be an additional charge of $5.00 per guest count.
Cancellation Policy
In most cases you may cancel your event for no charge four or more days prior to your event.
72-48 hours prior = 40% of contracted charges (3 business days)
48-24 hours prior = 60% of contracted charges
24 hours prior = 80% of contracted charges
Events Outside the University Center
When your event is outside of the Anderson University Center and requires glass, china, flatware, and serviceware, an additional charge will be added to your invoice, which may include the rental of these items from an outside vendor. Please discuss these charges with your event coordinator.
The minimum order for delivery outside the Anderson University Center is $50.00. All orders less than $50.00 will be charged the difference as a delivery fee. For orders over $50.00, delivery is available to any building on campus after 7am. When planning your event, please allow sufficient time for Catering Services staff to set up your event and let us know when the space will be accessible for clearing.
Health Regulations
Pierce County Health Department recommends we discard all perishable foods, such as meat, poultry, eggs, and casseroles, left at room temperature longer than 2 hours; 1 hour in air temperatures above 90 degrees F. Some exceptions to this rule are foods such as as cookies, crackers, bread, and whole fruit. Although we do not recommend it, you may remove leftover food following your event.
PLU Policies – Outside Caterers, Bake Sales, and Office Potlucks
PLU retains the rights to exclusive food and beverage catering service for all on-campus events. Food from other vendors or sources may not be brought into events. The Executive Director of Hospitality Services and Campus Restaurants may grant exceptions to this based on Pierce County Health Department’s classification of the food item. If you have questions concerning exceptions to this policy, please direct them to your event coordinator.
Please click here to visit our website for our bakesale/potluck guidelines