As a result of the mutually ended contract with Chartwells and the recommendations gathered from the SMC Campus Center’s Food Service Advisory Committee in 2023, the new catering process at the SMC Campus Center has been created to significantly enhance the overall experience for our clients and their guests. The new process includes a streamlined arrangement that reduces complexity around managing food and beverage needs during events, improved communication, vendor accountability, and provides an overall enhanced experience.

The process begins once you receive confirmation of an approved reservation for meeting space from Event Services. You should then reach out to our dedicated team at SMCcatering@umaryland.edu. They will assist you in selecting a catering company from our Authorized List of Caterers that best suits your event's needs. Additionally, they will:  

• Provide consultation and guidance from the start to the completion of your event.
• Liaise between you and the vendor to ensure your needs are met.
• Assist with selecting caterers that best fit your needs, requesting quotes, and order placement thus streamlining the process and saving you time.
• Provide on-site coordination with the catering vendor during your event.
• Remain the main point of contact with the vendor to ensure seamless movement during load in/load out and the building transition of your order.

Yes, the new service fee is based on the new catering services being provided and the total cost of your order. The fee schedule starting September 1st is:

8% of total cost of food and beverage order up to $5,000 OR a

$400 flat fee for a total cost of orders over $5,000

The service fee will apply to all catered events occurring on or after September 1^st, outside of when the reservation was approved.

**Please note, catering services provided by Yes Chef! and The Local Food Connection are exempt from this service fee.   Yes Chef! has a direct contract with UMB and Student Affairs whereas our other providers do not.  Services from The Local Food Connection is exempt due to Student Affairs’ direct partnership with the Office of Community Engagement  .**

While you are welcome to contact the caterer directly to discuss your catering needs, we kindly request that you include the Assistant Director for Catering, Tara Gillis, in any communication. Please also submit a copy of your invoice upon receipt. This ensures we are kept informed of your catering

arrangements and can assist with day-of logistics to confirm a seamless experience for your event. Also, we will contact the caterer to verify that everything in your order is correct and will be appropriately delivered on the day of your event. Please note, placing the catering order does not omit the service fee from being assessed at the conclusion of your event.  

Submitting the invoice is crucial for several reasons, but most prominent, to obtain essential details of your catering order and confirm load-in/load-out times and set-up preferences for service, along with verifying the accuracy of the food order against what is delivered on the day of your meeting or event. The invoice helps us identify any discrepancies and ensures that you are billed correctly for the services provided. Also, the invoice confirms the appropriate amount of the service fee that will be assessed at the end of your event. Timely submission of the invoice enables us to calculate the fee accurately and transparently. Failure to submit the invoice within two (2) days of your meeting or event will result in an automatic 8% service fee charge. This policy is in place to encourage timely submission and ensure smooth processing of invoices.

Authorized caterers are the only food and beverage services permitted to have and/or handle food within the meeting rooms/spaces, unless prior approval has been obtained from Event Services. Noncompliance with this policy will result in a $500 fee.

While we strongly encourage the selection of a vendor from our list of Authorized Caterers, we understand there may be unique dietary needs or preferences that require consideration. Our Authorized Caterers have been carefully vetted and maintain specific partnerships with us to ensure the smooth execution of meetings and events while upholding our standards and expectations for quality. We recognize there may be instances where a caterer not on our list is required for groups who need kosher, cultural or dietary specific meals that our Authorized Caterers cannot accommodate. In such cases, we are open to considering alternative options on a case-by-case basis.

If you have a preferred caterer that is not on our list and believe they can meet the needs of your event, we encourage you to reach out to us to discuss your requirements. We will carefully evaluate the vendor and determine if adding them would be of value.

While our catering assistance is primarily focused on events held within the SMC Campus Center, we understand the importance of finding the right catering options for your off-site event. While we cannot directly assist with catering options outside of our venue, we are committed to helping you find the resources you need by offering access to our authorized list. We encourage you to check with the venue personnel where you are hosting your event, as they may have additional vendor recommendations to offer. 

UMB's Office of Sustainability has created some resources on lowering your event's footprint.

If you have leftover food and/or beverages after your event, you have two options for handling them:

Option 1: Take the leftovers with you.  Please bring takeout boxes or arrange in advance for your caterer to provide them, as Event Services does not supply takeout boxes.

Option 2: Donate your leftovers to UMB students.  Through the UMB FREE application, a food rescue initiative by the Office of Sustainability (launched in 2022), we can help feed students and reduce food waste.  Learn more about UMB FREE here.  If you would like to donate, let me know on the day of your meeting.  I will collect the food, place it in a designated area on the 1st floor of the Campus Center, and send out a notification to students subscribed to the alerts.  You won't have to do anything!