Policies and Procedures
USD Banquets and Catering is proud to be the exclusive caterer for the university community and its guests. The use of outside caterers is discouraged and must be approved prior to your event. You may submit such requests to Jeff Middlebrook, Director of Banquets and Catering.
Facility Reservations
The first step in planning your event is to select and reserve a space. USD
facilities are scheduled directly through the Campus Scheduling/Special Events
Office 619/260-4592, or x4592 (see exceptions below.) Contact Campus Scheduling
for all co-sponsored, external, and student organization events.
The following facilities can be reserved by calling their offices directly: Manchester Conference Center - Conference Center Coordinator 619/260-5976, or x5976. Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice - Operations Manager 619/260-7808, or x7808
Catering Reservations
Call our office at 619/260-4560, or x4560 as soon as possible after reserving
campus space for your special event. The Banquets and Catering office is
open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., closed university holidays.
You may also visit our Online Ordering web
page to submit a request. We highly recommend booking as early as possible.
Banquets and Catering may not be able to service a request for catering even though it may have been submitted with appropriate advance notice.
You may choose your menu from our extensive online selection or, if needed, we will assist you in customizing a unique menu for your event. Food for catered events can be ordered on an a la carte, or per person, basis. Your menu should be selected and confirmed at least ten business days prior to the event for all served breakfasts, luncheons, dinners and receptions.
A request for service tentatively holds your date and time for catering. If we do not receive your completed final work order, a signed contract, and appropriate billing information, ten business days prior to the event, we will assume your event has been cancelled.
USD Banquets and Catering will continue to accept new orders until we reach the limit of our service capabilities. Our coordinators monitor the number of events accepted each day in order to ensure that we provide the quality of food and level of service our clients require and deserve.
Tables and Chairs
Please clarify table and chair requirements with the appropriate facility when
reserving your space. USD Banquets and Catering does not supply tables
and chairs. We can assist you with the rental of belly bars, canopies, umbrellas,
tents, stages, lighting, cocktail tables, specialty linens and floral arrangements,
and we can provide votive candles for your event at a small fee per candle.
Guest Count / Guarantee
We require a final count three working days before the event (not including
the day of the event). An earlier guarantee of five business days is required
for groups over 100 or with special menus. You will be financially responsible
for 100 percent of your final guarantee, or the actual number of guests served,
whichever is greater. If a guarantee is not provided, your last estimate
becomes your guarantee. Last minute guest count changes may result in an
additional charge. If your guest count increases less than three days before
your event, we may not be able to increase the quantity of every menu item,
but we will serve an appropriate substitution. We prepare food for five percent
above the guarantee for buffets only. For groups over 100, and for orders
occurring on weekends, holidays, or during finals, there may be additional
charges for labor and services.
Delivery Services
Please establish accurate delivery and pick-up times with our staff for your
event. Service staff will not remain unless prior arrangements have been
made. Event delivery and pick-up times provided on your contract are considered
accurate and factual. Events with unscheduled return trips will incur an
additional fee. The event location must be unlocked and available at least
45 minutes prior to the event starting time as shown on your order. So we
may continue to provide complimentary delivery on campus, we have a $40.00
minimum food order.
Cancellations
There is no charge for cancellations made at least three working days prior
to your event, a 50 percent charge for cancellations made two working days
prior to your event, and a 100 percent charge for cancellations made less
than 24 hours prior to your event.
Billing
As a service to our customers, Banquets and Catering handles all billing. When ordering, on-campus groups will need to provide all of their poets code information. If we do not have the poets code information ten business days prior it may be necessary to cancel the food order for your event.
Off-campus groups will be billed (including CA state sales tax) to the billing address provided by the client. A deposit may be required to confirm your event. Please check with your catering coordinator for details.
Alcohol
All campus events with alcoholic beverages served must be processed through Banquets & Catering. Complete policy is being revised and will be posted soon.
Additional Information
Due to regulations by the Health Department, and in line with catering industry standards, any food not consumed at the event may not be removed except by USD Banquets and Catering staff. No credit will be given for unused food or under-attended events.
USD Banquets and Catering purchases many of our products from outside vendors. Should a vendor fail to deliver an order in a timely fashion, we reserve the right to substitute a comparable menu item.
USD Banquets and Catering staff are not allowed to accept gratuities.
