Classic Fare Catering is proud to provide the highest quality catering to the Grand Valley State University community. We have developed the following guidelines and policies to successfully respond to your needs and serve you to the fullest.

Room Reservations

Before placing your catering order, please contact the proper Event Services coordinator of the building to reserve the space. It is the responsibility of the customer to make arrangements for the room set-up & A/V needs. If you would like assistance in determining the number and size of tables you will require, or what time our catering team needs access to the room, our Catering Coordinator will be happy to assist you. Below is a list of who is responsible for reserving the various locations on the Allendale & Grand Rapids campus.

Advance Notice

We recommend placing your order as early as possible. While every effort is made to accommodate all catering requests, late orders may slow our operational efficiency and affect menu availability. Late charges occur when catered events are ordered less than 5 business days in advance.  There will be a 30% late fee for requests made with less than 5 business days' notice. Please note that Saturday and Sunday are not standard business days. 

Minimum Ordering deadlines to avoid charges:

• Order by Monday for the following Friday
• Order by Tuesday for the following Monday
• Order by Wednesday for the following Tuesday
• Order by Thursday for the following Wednesday
• Order by Friday for the following Thursday

Guaranteed Guest Counts

Classic Fare Catering requires a final guest count three business days prior to your event. If a final count is not received 5 business days prior to the event, the last communicated guest count will be used. Charges will be assessed for every change in the count that is less than 5 business days. All catering functions will be billed at 100% of the final guest count or amount of guests served, whichever is greater.

Event Cancellations

Services may be canceled at any time prior to the date of an event for any reason.  If the cancellation is 5 business days or less prior to the event, a 50% fee will be charged.  If the cancellation occurs within 2 business days of the event, a 100% event fee will be charged.

Catering Service

Service Minimums:

• Weekday events before 5pm: No minimum 
• Weekday events from 5pm-8pm:  $200 minimum
• Saturday & Sunday events from 8am – 8pm:  $350 minimum

Payment/Service Fees

Events not related to GVSU activities will be added a 20% administrative fee* and 6% sales tax.  If tax exempt, proper documentation needs to be on file at time of payment.  Full payment is required 3 days prior to your event, for groups or individuals not paying with a University account. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Cash, or Check. *This administrative fee is not intended to be a tip, gratuity or service charge for the benefit of the employees.

Additional Fees

Classic Fare Catering provides linens for all buffet tables at no additional charge. Guest table linens are included when a full service menu is ordered. Basic white guest table linens are available for $5.00 each and additional skirted tables are $25.00 per linen / skirt. Specialty linens are also available. Please contact the Catering office regarding options and associated costs. National Brands (Allendale only) Our campus national brands feature budget friendly items for quick and easy pick-up service. 

Customized Menus

Our talented chefs are delighted to create special menus that accommodate your culinary preferences, dietary needs, and budget. Please contact the Catering office directly to arrange a personal consultation.

Student Groups

All student groups are required to have a signed authorization form prior to placing a catering order. If the event is on the Allendale Campus, the form is available from Krista McFarland in the Office of Student Life - Kirkhof Center 1110.

Food Waiver

If a student organization/department plans to bring any food that is NOT prepared by Aramark to an event on campus (bake sales, pancake breakfasts, potlucks, etc.) they must fill out a Food Waiver. The food waiver is available in the Campus Dining office (0101 KC). The food waiver must be filled out and signed for approval prior to the event.

Download the Food Waiver.