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.

      Disclaimer

      Prices &/or products are subject to change due to market availability &/or pricing fluctuations. We appreciate your patience & understanding. Please know that we will do our very best to provide the requested items, but we cannot make guarantees.

      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.

      Legal Holidays

      • A Events scheduled for legal holidays require advance coordination & approval with the Catering Director.

      Buffets

      • A minimum of 20 people is required for buffet service. All events under 20 people will be plated or boxed meals that are offered on the menu. If a buffet is still requested for under 20 people, 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

      • Calvin Dining Services makes every effort to identify the top 9 ingredients that may cause allergic reactions for those with food allergies. Every effort is made to instruct our staff on the severity of food allergies. In addition, we label items that are served with possible allergen-containing ingredients; however, there is always a risk of contamination. There is also a possibility that the manufacturers of the commercial foods we use could change the formulations at any time without notice. Guests concerned with food allergies need to be aware of the risk. The food allergens we label are: Egg, Milk, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Fish, Shellfish, Sesame, Soy, & Wheat.

      Guests with Dietary Restrictions:

      • It is the responsibility of the client or individual ordering catering service to provide Calvin Dining Services with any guest(s) that may have food allergies or dietary restrictions. These need to be confirmed 10-business days prior, not including the day of the event to ensure food will be available for said guest(s). Catering orders that have not indicated guest(s) with allergies &/or dietary restrictions cannot be guaranteed accommodating meals or food for their said guest(s). Every effort will be made to accommodate such occasions, but some menu &/or food items cannot be procured immediately or within the said event timeline.

      Leftover Food

      • Due to health department regulations, food & beverage items not consumed at an event cannot be released & taken out of the service area or removed from the facility. This policy applies to all food, including entrées, buffet items, boxed meals, plated meals &/or other food prepared/ordered for guaranteed guests unable to attend.
      • All leftovers are the property of Calvin Dining Services, including both perishable & nonperishable food &/or beverages as well as all disposables.

      Event Requirements

      • All catering orders must have final details confirmed – menu, linens, guest count & any dietary restrictions no later than 10-business days prior to the scheduled event to ensure its success. Catering ordered less than 3-business days in advance, not including the day of the event may not get the menu requested & may result in additional charges &/or may not be accommodated. Catering ordered &/or changed within 48 hours of the event are subject to a $45 fee. Events &/or menu items cancelled &/or changed after order confirmation &/or made 10-business days prior to the day of the event, will be subject to the following charges: Cancellations 10-business days or more prior to the event will incur no additional charges. Cancellations/changes made fewer than 10-business days, not including the day of the event may result in additional charges &/or may not be accommodated.
      • Cancellations within 24 hours of the event may result in a charge of the full cost of the event.
        • If additional guests are at the event, we will do our best to accommodate with the product that is available & additional fees may apply.

      Delays

      • Calvin Dining Services cannot be held responsible for food quality due to delays of 30 minutes or more within the scheduled start time of an event.

      Audio Visual & Equipment Needs

      • Contact Venues at Calvin (616)562-7045 to assist with any A/V and equipment.

      West Campus

      • Catering on Calvin University West Campus is disposable/compostable ware only. Linen is included for the food &/or beverage tables only. Any additional requested linen will have an additional charge. Plated Meals can be an option for the following locations with no additional fee: The President’s Office Commons Annex Hospitality Suite There will be a non-refundable $10 per person fee added for all other locations. This fee is to cover labor and breakage. West Campus plated meal requests must have prior approval - no less than 10-business days prior to the event to avoid additional fees.

      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 seven business 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.

      For Prince Conference Center Only

      Standard linens are included for food &/or beverage tables for full &/or sit-down meal events. Any additional requested linen will be charged to the customer.

      Pricing, Tax-Exempt Groups & Liability:

      A service charge of 18% applies to all food & beverage as well as Michigan state sales tax of 6% to all charges. Menu prices are subject to change due to market conditions. Menu prices will be guaranteed 60 days before your scheduled event. Any group wishing to claim tax-exempt status must provide a hard copy of their tax-exempt form upon confirming space. A Certificate of Liability Insurance must be on-file with Venues at Calvin prior to the event for all external groups, contact Venues at Calvin for further details (616)562-7045.

      Billing

      All current Calvin University Faculty, Staff &/or Student Group(s) must provide a WorkDay Tag prior to the execution of catering 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.

      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.

      Calvin Dining Services Exclusivity & Food Waiver Requests

      If applicable, click here to fill out a Food Exclusivity Waiver form.

      Please note: No consideration shall be given to any Food Waiver Requests if received less than 15-business days prior, not including the day of the actual food &/or beverage service activity/event. Calvin Dining Services is dedicated in providing an exceptional & safe culinary experience for Calvin University students, faculty, staff & visitors. The purpose of this policy is to clearly define the pre-approval process for any/all departments, organizations or individuals to contract an on-campus food &/or beverage service activity/event outside of Calvin Dining Services. Calvin Dining Services is the contracted food service provider. All food & beverage for campus events using Calvin University funds must be purchased & provided by Calvin Dining Services. This ensures safety & compliance with state & local health regulations as well as campus policies & the best use of Calvin University funding & expenses. Under special circumstances, food waivers are permitted for certain on-campus events at the discretion of Calvin Dining Services. Calvin Dining Services has the first right of refusal of all Dining Services. No food or beverage may be provided by campus organizations or off-campus vendors unless a Food Waiver Request is completed & approved. Food Waiver Requests must be submitted 15 business days prior to the event to the Director of Hospitality. Each event requires a current signed & approved Food Waiver Request regardless of whether the vendor &/or items have previously been approved for another event. Calvin University has agreed to purchase & serve PepsiCo products exclusively. All Organizations & Departments must comply with PepsiCo. These policies apply to all on-campus food &/or beverage service activities &/or events, including: In all buildings & outdoor locations owned &/or operated by Calvin University & Held by University students, employee/staff &/or visitors.

        Catering Menu

        View complete catering menu.

        Please note that the menu may change based on item availability and season, do not download or bookmark this menu.

        If applicable, click here to fill out a Food Exclusivity Waiver form.

        Catering Brochure

        Learn more about Calvin Catering Services here.