Policies

Catering Policies

Welcome to Catering by Chartwells, Higher Education

There are both big decisions and last-minute details to tend to as you prepare for your upcoming catered event. Let Emerald Plate Catering guide you from designing the perfect menu, to personalizing all the details of your unique gathering. Our catering services can accommodate almost any size, themed, or individual requirements, in any available location on campus. Our team will collaborate with you to create a custom menu inspired by your unique needs that will leave a lasting experience on your guests. All menus will follow the Chartwells Culinary Philosophy; authentic recipes using the freshest, seasonal ingredients.

Full Course Plated Meals, Buffets, Appetizers, and International inspired specialty menus, all served for your style of preference!

Catering by Chartwells at Seattle University

Email: sudiningservices@seattleu.edu | 


Plan Your Event

Welcome to the Emerald Plate by Chartwell's! Our mission is to provide you with exceptional quality, service, and a creative cutting-edge culinary experience. Our professional team members are available to assist in planning your special event Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. 

 

Meeting Rooms and Equipment

Please reach out to University Events to secure your event space prior to placing your catering order with Emerald Plate Catering. To reserve all non-food related equipment, contact University Events at 206-296-5620 or by visiting www.seattleu.edu/ces. This will include room reservation, setup, room configuration, audiovisual, and other general information. For all external programs, please reach out to Event Sales at venues@seattleu.edu

Policies & Procedures

To ensure optimal selection and the best possible service, all catering orders are required to be booked (10) Business Days in advance. We understand events arise unexpectedly and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Guest Counts

It is necessary to finalize a confirmed guest count no less than (5) Business Days prior to the date of your event. This number is considered the guaranteed guest count and will be billed based on final guarantee or actual guest count, whichever is greater. Should the client not provide Emerald Plate Catering with a timely guarantee, the estimated attendance on the catering banquet event order will serve as the guarantee.

Cancellation

Should any internal or external Seattle University event be canceled within (3) Business Days of scheduled event, a 50% charge of the food, beverage, rental, and full labor amount will be billed.

Service Ware and China

All catered events are furnished with compostable service ware. Premium Compostables, China and glassware are available for additional fees. Please contact our office for further information regarding these fees.

Linen

Tablecloths are supplied for all food and beverage service tables, such as buffet and beverage/bar tables, at events. Tablecloths for non-service tables are available for an additional $6.99 per linen.

University Events requires tablecloths on non-catering tables for all events led by faculty and staff. Specialty Linens are optional and can be rented for an additional charge.

Tax-Exempt Organizations

We request tax-exempt forms be emailed to: SUDiningServices@seattleu.edu (7) Business Days prior to the event.

Water Setup

A small fee for water service is available for all catering orders that include food and beverage. For water service at any events that do not require food and beverage, a $1.49 per person fee will be charged. Seattle University Clients Billing & Payment

A Budget or GL Account Code is required when booking your event. Events will be processed (1) Business Day after your event. The charge for your catering will not be reflected in the GL until the following month. Currently, all internal catering events are NOT tax-exempt.

External Event Clients Billing, Payments, and Pricing

External clients will need to pay for their event with a Credit Card, (no Checks) which will need to be on file within (5) Business Days of booking the event. Additionally, External clients are required to pay a 50% deposit. There will be no refunds if the event is canceled less than (5) Business Days from the event date. On the next business day after the event, the remaining balance plus any additional charges incurred from the event will be charged to the Credit Card on file.

The Emerald Plate menu pricing listed on-line is discounted for our internal Seattle

University Clients. Because of this, there will be an additional charge of 10% for our External Clients, added to the price of each of the selected catering items (excluding rentals and labor).

External Clients who wish to bring Beer and/or Wine to their event with an approved permit from University Events, will incur a Corkage Fee of $12.00 per bottle for wine(s) and or sparkling wine and $3.00 per can for beer and/or cider. See our Alcohol Service Section for more information on alcohol for your event.

Seattle University Alcohol Policies: https://www.seattleu.edu/ces/policies/

Labor

Unless otherwise requested, all catering events are considered a drop off/pick up service. A dedicated catering attendant will set up and breakdown the food and beverage items for your event. For events needing on-site serving staff, a labor fee of $45.00 per hour with a minimum of 3 hours will be charged.

Additional charges for labor may be incurred pending the setup, breakdown, length of your event, food service type, and guest count. For any event requiring China, Plated Meals, Table Side Buffet Service, Reception Style, and/or Table Side Beverage Service, greater staffing ratios should be considered. A catering representative will be assigned to collaborate directly with you to ensure optimal customer service and care for your event.

Special Diets

We will do our best to accommodate special diets upon request. We kindly request that your needs be submitted at least (10) Business Days prior to the event.

Allergens

Please note that Emerald Plate Catering is not a certified Kosher, Halal or Gluten Free facility, and all products are subject to cross contamination. Emerald Plate Catering will make every reasonable effort to facilitate special meal requests and/or Kosher, Avoiding Gluten, and Halal meals. Please reach out to a catering representative for assistance with any special menu requests.

Leftovers

All food and beverage items that are NOT commercially packaged may NOT be taken off-site post event. All Food and Beverage items that are commercially packaged and have not been opened, may be taken off-site after your event.

For any clients inquiring on behalf of Emerald Plate Catering food insecurity initiative, please direct all questions to Catering Director.

Based on Consumption (BOC)

Depending on the style of your event, your event may qualify for Based on Consumption items. These items included Canned Soda, Canned Sparkling Water, Beer, Wine, Cocktails and Sparkling Wine. These items are considered Based on Consumption and will be charged based on actual product consumption after your event ends.

Alcohol Service

Emerald Plate Catering is fully licensed to serve alcohol at your event. Please review the current University Policies by visiting https://www.seattleu.edu/ces/policies/. All alcohol-based events are REQUIRED to have a food component.

If you are approved to bring in outside beer and wine for your event, and you need to store it, a storage fee of $100/day will incur prior to and after events due to limited storage space. You are welcome to drop off your approved beer and wine at no additional charge, (2) hours prior to your event for our team to setup and chill down. An additional labor charge may incur due to the staff monitoring required for alcohol. It is highly suggested that you chill any beverages prior to dropping them off to us to ensure preferred chilled temperature.

Internal Clients who wish to bring Beer and/or Wine to their event with an approved permit from University Events, will incur a Corkage Fee of $4.00 per bottle for wine(s) and or sparkling wine and $1.00 per can for beer and/or cider.

No open containers of beer and/or wine will be allowed to be taken off-site post event and will be discarded. Emerald Plate Catering reserves the right to refuse service of alcohol any time during the event. Please note that guests may be asked to show a legal form of identification to be served alcohol. If they cannot provide this information, we will not serve them alcohol.

Should your event require a banquet permit or special occasion license, the permit must be received by Emerald Plate Catering (3) Business Days prior to your event. If a permit is not received, outside beer and wine will NOT be served and the labor charge will still apply. All permitting must be completed via University Events. Please see their website for specific deadlines for permits.

Minimum Guest Counts

Please note, the minimum order quantity is (8) guests for Breakfast and Lunch, and (12) for Themed meals, unless otherwise noted. For plated events, we require a (16) guest minimum.

ASAP Menu

ASAP Menu: Any event added within (9) Business Days will be required to choose items off our ASAP Catering Menu. All ASAP orders will be charged an expediting fee of 25%. Please ask our Catering Coordinator about this menu.

Food Trucks

Food trucks are allowed on campus and must be approved through University Events/Emerald Plate Catering at least (60) Business Days prior to your event. All food trucks are REQUIRED to be contacted by Emerald Plate Catering. There will be a $110.00 per food truck administration fee for this service. Once approved, Emerald Plate Catering will assist with the contracting of your requested Food Truck(s). All minimum deposits and payments will be paid in-full, day of event. If the event is canceled, payment will still be required per food truck Contract(s).

Emerald Plate Catering
901 12th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 296-6316