Catering Options

Welcome to Calvin University Catering. Food is an important part of any event, and it is our mission to deliver excellent food products and services. We look forward to assisting you in planning your next catered event.

Catering options

• Event catering

  Calvin Catering, a division of Calvin Dining Services, delivers exceptional service and food for your events. Whether your function is a breakfast for ten people or a dinner for five hundred, Calvin Catering will provide delectable food with meticulous attention to detail and impeccable service. Formal or informal, we'll help you create an exceptional event.

  Please read through our menu options, planning and policies below before you submit your order.

  • Planning
  • Policies

  Service Update

  As of 10/09/2020, service types offered for events of no more than 10 people are: boxed meal, served buffet, and served plated.

  Event with 50 or more

  Plan and confirm at least three weeks prior to your event

  Coffee service

  Plan and confirm at least one week prior to event

  Holidays/college breaks

  Events scheduled for legal holidays or college breaks require advance coordination and approval with the catering manager.

  External Clients

  If you would like to place an order or have any food related questions, please contact Calvin Catering Services at calvincatering@creativedining.com.

  Room reservations

  Before contacting our catering manager, room reservations must be made through Venues at Calvin by calling 526-6280. Special items such as podiums, microphones, tables, etc. should be discussed at this time. Calvin Catering provides buffet tables only.

  Calvin catering policies

  Calvin Catering has exclusive rights for all food service functions held on campus.

  • No food or beverage may be brought on campus by outside caterers.
  • For health and safety reasons, no food or beverage may be removed from a facility where a catered event is held.
  • All leftover food items are the property of Calvin Catering.
  • All equipment sent out with orders must be returned by noon the following day.
  • The sponsoring organization will be held responsible for the items’ return and condition.

  Food & Beverage Service

  • All food and beverage must be supplied by the Calvin Dining Services. No food or beverages are allowed to be brought into the facility.

  Pricing

  • A service charge of 18% applies to all food and beverage. Michigan state sales tax of 6% will be added to all charges. Menu prices are subject to change due to market conditions. Menu prices will be guaranteed 60 days before your scheduled event.

  Buffets

  • If interested in buffet service, a minimum of 20 persons is required.  All events under 20 persons will be plated. If under 20 guests and a buffet is still requested, there will be an additional fee.

  Multiple Entree Selections

  • If interested in buffet service, a minimum of 20 persons is required.  All events under 20 persons will be plated. If under 20 guests and a buffet is still requested, there will be an additional fee.

  Allergen Information

  • All food buffets will have food items labeled including allergen information for the 8 major allergens (Wheat, Milk, Egg, Peanuts, Tree nuts, Soy, Fish, and Shellfish).  Prince Conference Center makes every attempt to identify ingredients that may cause allergic reactions for those with food allergies. Every effort is made to instruct our food production staff on the severity of food allergies.  In addition, we label items with possible allergen-containing ingredients; however, there is always a risk of contamination.  There is also a possibility that manufacturers of the commercial foods we use could change the formulation at any time, without notice.  Customers concerned with food allergies need to be aware of this risk.

  Leftover Food

  • Food buffets will be taken down after a maximum of two hours. Calvin Catering is unable to accommodate longer times due to health code restrictions on temperatures and proper safety procedures.  If requested to be out longer an additional charge will be incurred for an additional break. We pride ourselves on providing you with outstanding, high-quality food and service for your catered event.  In order to ensure our standards of quality and food safety, foods not immediately consumed by guests are unable to be released and taken out of the service area. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

  Event Requirements

  • The host is responsible for securing space with Event Services prior to ordering catering. All event details (including menu, final guest count, agenda with meal times and any dietary restrictions) must be confirmed no later than seven (7) business days prior to the event date to ensure proper staffing, food amounts, etc.

  Room Decor

  • Decorations brought in should tastefully reflect Calvin University. Glitter, confetti, and balloons are strictly prohibited inside the facility. If candles are desired, the flame must be enclosed in glass. Items may not be affixed to walls or ceiling without prior approval from Event Services.

  Audio Visual & Equipment Needs

  • Venues at Calvin will be able to assist with any AV and equipment.

  Guarantee Policy

  • A guaranteed number of guests must be received seven (7) business days prior to the event. This ensures that appropriate staffing levels and food qualities are available for your event. Last-minute changes will be honored but may incur additional costs. This is the minimum number for which you will be charged. An increase in attendance will be accepted up to 3 business days prior to the event. No reduction in guarantee will be accepted less than five business days prior to the event.  If any increases occur the day before or the day of the event, additional labor and food costs will apply. If a guarantee count is not provided, we will use the estimated number of guests provided at the time of initial reservation as the final count for room preparation, food preparation and billing.  Catering requests placed less than 72 hours (3 days) in advance of the event may not get the menu they prefer, but we will do our best to accommodate.

  Tax-Exempt Groups

  • Any group wishing to claim tax-exempt status must provide a hard copy of their tax-exempt form upon confirming space.

  Event booking

  • All events for up to 50 guests should be planned and confirmed with the catering office at least three weeks prior to the event.
  • Arrangements for small coffee service should be made at least one week prior to the event.
  • Events arranged within five working days may have limited menu options.
  • Events scheduled for legal holidays or college breaks require advance coordination and approval with the Catering Manager.
  • Calvin Catering handles all food services on campus except The Prince Conference Center. Reservations may be made for the Prince Conference Center by calling Venues at Calvin 562-7045.

  Final guest guarantees

  A final guest guarantee count is required seven (7) business days prior to your event. If no guarantee count is received, we will plan accordingly to the estimated guest count. If the actual guest count exceeds the guaranteed count, you will be billed for the actual count. Changes will not be accepted after three days prior to event.

  Cancellation Policy

  Notice of cancellation must be received and confirmed by the Catering Manager. In the unfortunate event that cancellation of the event is needed, as soon as possible.  Any cancellations within 72 hours (3 days) of the scheduled function could incur changes up to the full price of the event. Charges are determined by the Catering Manager on a case per case basis.

  Tax-Exempt Groups

  Any group wishing to claim tax-exempt status must provide a hard copy of their tax-exempt form upon confirming space.

  Liability

  Certificate of Liability Insurance must be on-file with Event Services prior to event for all external groups.  Please connect with Event Services for further details.

  Billing

  An internal budget number must be given when placing catering order in order to ensure service.

  Sustainability statement

  Please be assured that Calvin Catering is committed to upholding our sustainability mission in practicing recycling efforts and offering environmentally friendly products.

Planning

7 days ahead

Plan and confirm at least seven days prior to your event

2 days ahead

Submit the names of the students and their student ID numbers (if meals are being charged to students' meal plans).

Pick up

All orders must be picked up from Knollcrest Dining Hall by 6:00 p.m. Monday–Saturday. Knollcrest is closed on Sundays.

• Policies
  Please read through our menu options, planning and policies below before you submit your order

  The following are a few things to keep in mind as you plan your retreat dining with us:

  We’re not a grocery store!

  Knollcrest may only supply items that are already in stock and available for use. We may not be able to fulfill small measurements of items. Special ingredients for recipes that you want to make on your own may require you to go the the local grocery store.

  Cost

  We may be unable to supply orders without a minimum quantity or price. A service charge may be applied if the criteria is not met.

  Any equipment or utensils that are borrowed will require a $25 deposit.

  Athlete sack lunches

  We provide sack lunches for sports teams who will miss a meal due to a tournament or a game. Please have the coach or one member of the team place the order for the entire team.

  Sack lunches

  If a dorm or a floor needs sack lunches for an outing, the sack lunches need to be requested like a retreat. Please do not have each resident ask to have their own sack lunch made up.

  Equipment rental

  All equipment must be returned to Knollcrest Dining Hall within 24 hours.

Catering Menu

View and download complete catering menu.

Catering Brochure

Learn more about Calvin Catering Services here.