University Catering is available to provide full service catering to the events held on or within an OSU property.
We recommend that you contact us with your needs, or even just the date, as soon as you can to reserve your spot on our calendar. We don’t need all the details in the initial call or email, unless your event is in the next ten days. A rough order can also be made using CaterTrax, our online ordering system. While we strive to take care of every request, there are high demand days that book quickly.
To better support our clients we use CaterTrax, an online ordering and event management system for Catering. Once you complete the registration form, create a user name and password and read our policies, you can create your own orders or check on a previously created order.
Some organizations and departments may benefit from creating an account where log-in information is shared so multiple people can check on orders, or place new orders. The sales team can also migrate previous events, or accounts, from one client name to another if there has been a personnel change.
Please call 541-737-1600 or e-mail universitycatering@oregonstate.edu if you would like help designing a menu for your event. Menus chosen less than 14 days in advance are subject to availability.
University Catering will make every effort to meet the special dietary needs of all your guests. We have vegan, vegetarian, halal, gluten free and other allergen-free menu items. If you have concerns about how to accommodate these guests, please talk to us so we can help design a menu that best meets the event service needs, as well as guest needs.
Many times it is desirable to provide entrée choices for your guests at a served meal. This option can be challenging, as you will have to track who ordered which item, as well as special dietary needs. Please talk with us about your event design so we can help you understand the pros and cons of split plates, multiple entrees as well as how to include the needs for special diet meals.
If you do choose multiple entrees, please note that all meals will be charged at the higher price of the choices you select; i.e. beef and vegetarian will be the same price.
Note that for a served meal we will need a seating chart with entrée choices, or, each guest will need an indicator that notes which entrée they are to receive. Keep in mind that once you provide your guarantee numbers you should only have that number of each indicator to distribute to your guests. When you run out of a certain indicator you need to let us know you are requesting a change in your guarantee.
To provide the highest quality service, we require that you provide a guaranteed number of guests who will be served at the event.
The guaranteed number must be finalized with our office three business days prior to the event; i.e. Tuesday for a Friday or weekend event. An earlier date will be required for special menus. Charges will be based on the guaranteed number or actual number served, whichever is greater.
University Catering is a preferred caterer in the Memorial Union, CH2M Hill Alumni Center and La Sells Stewart Center. We also provide service in many classroom buildings and offices across campus.
We cannot cater in Athletics buildings without prior approval. Please speak to our event planners for details.
Events scheduled at campus facilities there is a $15 delivery fee, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. On weekends and campus closure days there is a $25 delivery fee.
Events ending later than 8 p.m., or starting before 6 a.m., there will be a $25 Late/Early Fee unless the food and beverage totals more than $500.
An additional delivery fee will be incurred if University Catering must make an unscheduled return trip due to locked rooms, events running late, or for any other reason.
University Catering is able to provide service for your off-campus event, when your group meets one of the following criteria:
Off-Campus delivery to a location less than 2 miles away is $25, if it is 2 or more miles away there will be a $50 delivery fee.
For delivery over 5 miles, or a need for an extra vehicle, the delivery fee will be a minimum of $75.
With the rapidly increasing cost of labor we are implementing a labor fee on new orders as of January 6, 2020.
There are two categories that our clients fall into.
Category 1: University Community
Category 2: External Community
Cancellations will be accepted as late as 5 p.m. three business days prior to the event; i.e. Tuesday for Friday or weekend events. Any cancellations received after 5 p.m. three business days before the event may be charged 80% of the contract amount. Additionally, any cancellations received after 5 p.m. two days prior to the event may be charged 100% of the contract amount.
Events scheduled at the Memorial Union and SEC Plaza will incur an additional 5% facility fee on all food and beverage.
Events scheduled at CH2M Hill Alumni Center, La Sells Stewart Center and LiNC will incur an additional 10% facility fee on all food and beverage.
We can work with several local vendors to assist you with your equipment, floral, and various rental needs. There will be a 5% handling fee for this service.
NOTE: Selections and prices are subject to change without notice. Please confirm pricing prior to event.
At University Catering food is our number one focus; however beer and wine can be served to complement the event if certain requirements are met. All alcohol is served in a responsible manner by trained and knowledgeable University Catering staff.
Hosted Bars: You, the client, pay for all beverages for the duration of the event. All the beverages are billed on a consumption basis. Some clients will use tickets to partially host a bar. Only redeemed tickets are charged to the client at cash bar prices.
No-Host / Cash Bar: Your guests purchase beverages at a no-host/cash bar. University Catering determines the specific products for sale and must supply the alcohol per OLCC requirements.
The following requirements must be met for University Catering to provide alcohol service:
At least three weeks prior to the event the client must register the event with Risk Management for university functions, or events held on the OSU campus. If help is desired with this process please contact University Catering within the set timeframe.
Working with BNC
If you would like to make the leftover food available to students, with the help of Basic Needs Center (BNC), please plan for the following: