CATERING POLICIES

WELCOME TO SPELMAN CATERING

 

Spelman Catering by Bon Appétit blends a tradition of fine service with expert planning and event execution to create an amazing event experience. Our food is cooked from scratch, including sauces, stocks, soups and salsa. A pioneer in environmentally sound sourcing policies, we’ve developed programs addressing local purchasing, overuse of antibiotics, sustainable seafood, the food–climate change connection, humanely raised meat and eggs, and farmworkers rights.

 

This guide was created to assist you with the catering and event planning process. We encourage you to browse through our menus, which include traditional favorites, fresh new items, and even delicious plant-forward options. We are proud to feature regional, seasonal and artisan-produced products in all our catering menus.

 

Our experienced and creative event team is ready to answer any questions, make menu suggestions or put together an entire event. Our personal attention to every detail is sure to “wow” your guests.

We are ready to help you plan your next event!

 

(404) 270-5150

catering@spelman.edu

 

The following steps will help you through the process of organizing your special function.

 

ARRANGING & RESERVING A DATE

The first steps in planning your event are reserving your room and arranging for any special needs such as tables & chairs, podium & microphone, stage, audio-visual equipment, or alcohol approval. Facilities Management should be contacted for all table, chair, staging, and audio visual needs. Our event professionals will be happy to assist you in estimating the number of tables your event will need for your guests, as well as for catering set-ups.

 

To provide the best quality service, we request a ten-day advance notice of your event. If you have needs that are more immediate, please call us to speak directly to an event professional. We continually strive to provide the best service and will accommodate special requests whenever possible. Additional fees may apply.

 

When ordering, please help us understand your event:

 

  • Day and Date of your event
  • Beginning and Ending Time
  • Location
  • Contact Information: Name, Address, Phone & Email
  • Guest Count
  • Department
  • Speed type (preferred) or Credit Card
  • Menu Requests & Special Dietary needs
  • VIP Guests Attending
  • Program or Agenda

 

For every event, we will email a confirmation detailing the service time, menu, location, charges, and other specific details. Please review these confirmations carefully and notify the catering office with any changes. We try to be as accurate as possible; to ensure accuracy and to avoid any delay, please review the details of your event carefully before providing final confirmation. An order minimum of $100 is required for all orders on Spelman campus; all other orders require a $500 minimum. If your order total does not meet the minimum amount, a delivery fee will be assessed for the difference, or the order can be picked up by the client at our facility.

 

INCLUDED WITH YOUR SERVICE

Spelman Catering guide menus and pricing are intended for two hours of service for all College sponsored events. Additional cost per service hour will be assessed, please contact the catering department for details.  Pricing for non-college sponsored events, special events, weddings, and off campus catering are not included in this guide and may be subject to additional fees. Contact the catering department for customized menus and current pricing.


Linens

Upscale Disposable Service food and beverage tables will be draped with house linen at no additional charge. Guest seating, registration, or display tables may be draped with house or rental linen for an additional fee. Fees based on size, color, and availability.


Presidential Service tables will be draped with elegant rental linens. Linen fees based on size, color, and availability. Any linens removed from an event, not returned, or returned damaged, will be charged full replacement costs.


Staffing

Attendants are required on any china buffet exceeding 35 guests or any served meal and are highly recommended on any buffet in excess of 35 people. Additional staffing such as bartenders, on site chefs, and additional attendant fees are based on menu and beverage offerings, guest count and length of the event. Please contact the catering department for applicable fees.


Catering Equipment

As the host of the catered event, you are responsible for the equipment we have provided for the service. Non-disposable equipment, such as chafing dishes, coffee pots, serving utensils, etc., are the property of Spelman Catering, and must be kept secure by the client until they are picked up by our staff. Full replacement costs will be incurred for any missing or damaged equipment.


Food Safety

To ensure food safety and sanitation for customers and guests, a catering representative will remove all items in a timely manner. We uphold company, local, and state food and safety regulations and therefore clients and guests may not remove food not consumed from your event.


Deliveries

Delivery is available from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. When arranging for delivery, please allow sufficient time for our personnel to set-up, and inform us of a period of time in which the room will be accessible for clean-up following your event. Multiple attempts at clean up service may also incur additional charges.

Additional fees may apply to deliveries or clean-up prior to 7:00 am and following 7:00 pm.



Pick up Service

Pickup Service from the Spelman Catering team may be arranged by calling the Catering Office at (404) 270- 5150. You are responsible for the prompt return of equipment that has been used for your event. Additional fees may apply for pick-up service prior to 7:00am and following 7:00pm. Any equipment not returned or returned damaged will be charged at full replacement cost.


Alcohol Beverage Service (College Sponsored Events Only)

Bar service will be provided in strict accordance with the State of Georgia, Fulton County, and College Alcohol Policy.

The client is responsible for all purchases of beer, wine and alcohol. A Spelman Catering bartender will serve alcohol at a ratio of one for every 75 guests.

• Alternative non-alcoholic beverages must be available and hors d’oeuvres or other food in substantial quantities, as determined by Spelman Catering, must be available.

• Individuals visibly intoxicated will not be permitted to enter or will be asked to leave.

• No alcoholic beverages will be served to any person who is under twenty-one years of age or who is visibly intoxicated. Proof of age will be required. Please advise your attendees to be prepared to produce appropriate identification, if asked.

• No alcoholic beverages shall be dispensed from kegs or barrels. When serving wine with dinner, no carafes, decanters or wine bottles are permitted on the table. The catering attendants will be responsible for pouring the wine during meal service.


MENU

It is preferred to finalize a detailed menu no less than two weeks prior to the date of your event. In order to ensure the best possible quality product available, we recommend that Clients refrain from any menu changes within five (5) business days of the function.


GUARANTEE

A guaranteed number of guests is required for all functions no later than three (3) business days prior to the event, subject only to increase within 3 days of the event and charged accordingly. In order to accommodate any last-minute attendees, all seated events will be given a 5% allowance in food preparation over the guaranteed number. This 5% overage is not applicable for buffet meals, hors d’oeuvre receptions, or events of 20 guests or fewer. Should the Client not provide Spelman Catering with the timely guarantee, the estimated attendance on the catering agreement will serve as the guarantee.


FOOD AND BEVERAGE

Spelman Catering prohibits the removal of food and beverage from the premises by the Client, guest, or employees.


SALES TAX

Spelman Catering will charge the applicable state sales and liquor tax.


DECOR AND ENTERTAINMENT

Equipment and linen rentals through Spelman Catering are available. If outside equipment and linen rentals are ordered by Client, they must be coordinated with Spelman Catering at least one week prior to the event.


PARKING

Client understands that Spelman Catering is not responsible for matters related to event parking.


OFF-PREMISES CATERING

If the event is being held at a site other than Spelman Catering, Client will incur charges such as delivery, destination fee (pricing varies upon location), labor charges, and equipment costs such as kitchen build-out, china, and/or station vehicles.


CANCELLATION

In the event a function is canceled, Client shall be responsible for and pay Spelman Catering the following percentages of the total amount due per the terms of this Contract as liquidated damages and cancellation fees:

• Cancellation less than 2 days prior to the event - 100% of the total amount due to Spelman Catering per the terms of this Agreement.

• Cancellation at least 3 days prior to the event – no penalty after forfeiture of deposit.


Catering at Spelman College
350 Spelman Lane SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30314