Food Service Policies for External Organizations

Billing

Services may be paid in cash, check or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover). Payment terms are net 30 days.

Non-University customers will be required to provide a 50% deposit of the guarantee and the final balance is due 72 business hours prior to your scheduled event.

Functions requesting tax exemption must provide your tax exempt documentation and ID number before the time of the event

Catering wait staff

All buffet and plated meals include adequate wait staff. Should you desire additional servers, or for an event that attendants are not assigned, you will be billed a $12 per hour service fee. Bartenders are available at $25 per hour. When requested, Catering will utilize china service in the Plaster Student Union, china service is available outside the building for an additional $2 per person for full service and $1 per person for receptions otherwise disposable service will be offered at your events.

Confirmation

A copy of the final arrangements and the necessary billing information will be sent to you. Review all of the information for your event: date, time of delivery, set-up and food/beverage order, your Catering Manager will also require acceptance of the confirmation to ensure that you have received and agree to the information on the Event Order.

All cancellations of food service should be made no less than 72 business hours prior to your event. Events cancelled within 1 business day of event and no shows will be charged 100% of estimated costs.

Delivery fees

A charge of $35 or 3% of the total invoice, whichever is greater, will be applied to all off campus events

Floral/décor

Catering will work with their vendors to meet any request, pricing will be agreed upon prior to event.

Guarantees

Final guaranteed number of participants must be submitted at least 72 business hours prior to your event. If a final count is not received, the amount initiated on the original order will be used as the guarantee number. The guarantee is not subject to reduction after the deadline. The catering department will make every effort to accommodate last minute revisions. Your billing is based on the final guarantee, if the number served is higher, we will charge accordingly. Should Missouri State University be closed due to weather, all events will be automatically cancelled. Please contact the Catering Office to reschedule.

The event location and or venue should also be contacted with final numbers to ensure proper arrangements.

Liability

All catering equipment and supplies are the responsibility of the host/hostess for the entirety of the event. Actual item cost will be added to your invoice for any item(s) found missing upon pickup. Missouri State Dining Services is not liable for any equipment, supplies or personal belongings left in public areas.

Linen service

Basic linen service will be provided for all buffets or plated events. Any specialty linens or colors must be requested in advance. If additional linen is needed for receptions, registration or skirted display tables, additional fees may be applied.

Off-site catering

The primary purpose of the Catering Department at Missouri State University is to provide outstanding service to the university as well as the surrounding community. The Catering Department would be more than happy to work with you if you would like to hold a catered event off campus. Please contact the Catering Department at 417-836-4629 for more information. Delivery fees may apply.

Perishable food policy

Food safety is a high priority for Missouri State Dining Services. In adherence with the local Health Department regulations, it is our strict policy that there will be no credit given or carry out allowed of perishable food not consumed at your event. Therefore, we reserve the right to deny the removal of leftover food by the customer. For the safety of you and your Guests, food that needs to be hot or cold, will be removed after a limit of one and a half hours or as determined by catering staff.

Pricing

All prices in this brochure are a guideline and are subject to change depending on raw food cost. You must contact the Catering Office for a current price quote.

Reservation timeline

Catering orders should be submitted three (3) weeks prior to your event to assure ample time for appropriate staffing, the ordering of your linen and the highest quality of product. Catering will make every effort to accommodate last minute increases however: this may result in necessary menu revisions

Service times

A service time of four hours is included in all event menu pricing; please notify the catering office if there will be a program during the meal. Events exceeding the four hour time frame will incur a $15 per hour, per attendant service charge.

In the event your group will be arriving later than scheduled, please notify the Catering Director as soon as possible.

Waivers

All food served throughout the Missouri State campus must be provided by Missouri State Catering or through a PSU vendor or affiliate. There are some exceptions: Individuals may provide food for their personal consumption; University departments may sponsor “potluck” meals for their office staff in spaces controlled by their office; University departments, faculty, and staff organizations may conduct authorized bake sales of products prepared by their members as fundraisers. An exception to the food service policy must be requested by using the “Request for Food Service Waiver” form and must be approved by the Director of Catering at least 30 days prior to the event.