Policies

CATERING SERVICES 

Bringing the best combination of award-winning fine cuisine and professional staff, Rave! Catering will deliver elegance and attention-to-detail to every event. Rave! Catering can do it all, whether you are hosting a small meeting where the presentation of coffee and an array of Yates Mill pastries help set the tone or a large served dinner for faculty and staff where every minute contributes to the overall experience. Consider it done! 

ORDERING 

To ensure a successful event, please reserve your date as soon as possible. All catering orders need to be placed with us one (1) week in advance. For large parties over 300 guests or custom menus, we request that your order is placed with us at least two (2) weeks in advance. 

Your order will include menu choices and your estimated number of guests, location, time, date, program information and payment details. If your order is placed with insufficient notice, we may be able to accommodate your needs. Any order that is placed less than three (3) business days out will be charged a $25 late booking fee. 

GUARANTEE YOUR GUEST COUNT 

Your catered event is an agreement between you and Rave! Catering. For menus, a guaranteed minimum number of guests must be given to us by noon, three (3) business days prior to your event. Once given, the guaranteed minimum number may not be decreased. Billing will be based on your guaranteed number or actual attendance, whichever is higher. 

LOCATION AND AGENDA 

Your event location will be fully set for your guests 15 minutes prior to your serving or start time. Please discuss your agenda with your Rave! Catering Sales Coordinator in advance if service times need to be altered and provide us with a copy of your program, when available prior to the date of your event.  

In order for us to be fully set up for your event, we request to have access to the event location a minimum of 1 hour before start time for break services, 2 hours prior for buffets and receptions and 2.5 hours prior for plated service events. This allows us time to get set up in the event space and to locate storage space for our carts prior to your guests arriving. For events over 300 guests, your Rave! Catering Sales Coordinator may request additional time. We do not provide tables for catering setup, those would need to be provided by the client or the event location.  

To ensure employee safety and food quality, the client must secure a rain location for any outdoor event. In consultation with event hosts, Rave! Catering will make a decision to move the event to the rain location four hours before the start of the event if necessary. 

CHANGE ORDER POLICY 

Change orders, or alterations, made to the event environment such as room sets, timeline changes, location or menus should be made prior to the three (3) day guest guarantee. Any changes that are requested within three (3) business days of the event will be considered on a case by case basis and are subject to a Late Change Fee of $25. 

CANCELLATION POLICY 

All orders will incur a 50% fee of the estimated charges should the event be canceled within two business days. Cancellations with one business day of the function will be billed in full. 

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY 

In the extremely rare event that the university officially closes during adverse weather, or the threat of impending inclement weather, the client will not incur any charges associated with their event. If the University remains open, but the client makes the decision to cancel their event for any weather-related reason, they will be required to inform Rave! Catering 48 hours in advance in order to avoid any charges. If the client does not cancel within the 48-hour time period, they will be billed 35% of the estimated total cost. All other scenarios will revert to the normal cancellation policy. 

SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS AT CATERING EVENTS 

We are committed to meeting the needs of guests who have special dietary needs such as vegan and vegetarian diets, allergies and intolerances. 

Rave! Catering Sales Coordinators can reasonably guide event planners in booking events and making menu selections which can accommodate their guests. In most instances, food allergies and intolerances can be managed. When events are booked in which special requests such as vegetarian or allergen details are disclosed, we will provide the client colored cards and labels to assist in correct service to the guests. 

Rave! Catering labels the top 8 allergens off catered items. With advance notice, Rave! Catering can generally accommodate most guests who must avoid other food allergens. 

MENU ITEM MINIMUMS 

Some of the menus that Rave! Catering services offers may have a minimum guest count on which pricing is based. These minimum guest counts must be adhered to. On rare occasions, exceptions may be granted by the Rave! Catering Director. 

MENU PRICING 

The menu prices published by Rave! Catering are intended to be the prices charged for the duration of the catering year. Due to the possibility of sharp price changes in food costs, Rave! Catering reserves the right to adjust the price of items that have experienced significant escalation of cost or to recommend a replacement menu item. Such adjustments of replacements will be stated in writing before issuance of a revised contract and with full disclosure to all parties. 

DELIVERIES OUTSIDE THE STUDENT UNION 

All deliveries outside of Talley Student Union that fall under $250 will be charged a $25 Delivery Fee. 

LINEN 

Rave! Catering will provide linen for food tables (except when the event is delivery only). Linen will also be provided for guest tables if the event includes a plated meal or china service. This does not include linen for miscellaneous tables such as registration, cocktail tables, award tables, etc. Linen can be added to any event for the below fees. Your Sales Coordinator can assist with size and quantity needs. 

114” Black or White - $8 each | 85” Black or White - $10 each | $132” Black or White - $15 each 

156” Black - $15 each 

CHINA FEE 

China service is included in the per person price of all plated or full buffet events held within Talley Student Union. For events outside of Talley Student Union, an upgrade to china service is available for $5/guest (this also includes 85” linen for guest tables). 

LIABILITY 

Any leftover food remains property of Rave! Catering and under law must be disposed of by the caterer and cannot be removed by the client. This policy is to limit the risk of foodborne illness due to improper handling or storage of leftover food items in accordance with recommendations from the NC Health Department regarding food health and safety.  

No outside food or beverage may be provided by others at your event without the express permission of the Rave! Catering Director. 

For pick-up or delivery orders, it is the client’s sole responsibility to ensure food safety once the items are picked up or delivered. By signing this agreement, you agree to serve the food in a timely manner and in the way in which it was prepared.