Catering Guide—Carolina Dining Services
Whenever people gather, food and refreshments add to the success and enjoyment of the event. That’s especially true at the Friday Center, where our catering services provide dining and decor to your individual specifications. Our experienced catering staff can guide you through our options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee and refreshment breaks, and receptions. Carolina Dining can help you determine if the fare should be light or hearty, casual or elegant.
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Creating Your Banquet Event Order
After you have contacted Carolina Dining concerning the nature of your event, our office will generate a Banquet Event Order (BEO). This contract will clearly state your requirements and our service intentions. Please be sure to review the contract carefully. It will state all of the important information concerning your event. Sign and date the contract and return it to our office. Signing the contract signifies that you approve of all charges and officially books your event. Changes may occur as you continue to plan your event; our office will ask that you approve all changes by initialing subsequent BEOs.
Food and Beverage Services
All food and beverage arrangements for events held at the Friday Center must be made through Carolina Dining Services. Groups are not permitted to bring their own food and beverages into the Center. For health and safety reasons, removal of food items that are not consumed is not allowed.
Refreshment Breaks
Refreshment breaks are included in the per-person per-day fee for use of the Friday Center. In the morning, your meeting participants will be served coffee, tea, decaffeinated coffee, assorted juices, fresh fruits, and a selection of muffins and other specialty breaks. In the afternoon, we provide coffee, tea, decaffeinated coffee, assorted sodas and bottled waters, fruit, and a selection of fresh baked goods. If your program requires a special break, Carolina Dining is available to work with you to plan an appropriate menu. Please contact Carolina Dining to discuss special break pricing.
Regular Luncheon Service
Luncheon service is typically buffet style in the Trillium Dining Room for all groups using the Center. The buffet features several menu selections and designated seating for your group. Lunch is served from 11:30 am–1:30 pm Monday through Friday. Groups having lunch at the Friday Center are issued vouchers for participants to use and are billed for lunch after the event. Weekend dining service is available with a 75-person minimum.
Special Food Service
Carolina Dining can provide service for special food events such as private luncheons, receptions, and dinners. Menu planning, room set-up, and other details for special food service must be arranged with the Catering Manager at least 14 days prior to the event. After the food service is planned, the catered function charges will be added to your Event Plan. Your Conference Services Coordinator can provide you with more information. An additional rental fee is charged when a private dining area is required for a breakfast, luncheon, or dinner. There is no additional charge if a reception is held in the same room.
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages (mixed drinks, beer, wine, and cordials) may be served under terms and conditions consistent with the applicable laws of the State of North Carolina and policies of the University and the Friday Center. Cash bars are not allowed. If you are planning an event that includes the serving of alcoholic beverages, your Conference Services Coordinator will discuss the alcoholic beverage policy with you in detail. A representative of your group will be requested to sign an agreement with the Friday Center indicating that your group assumes responsibility for compliance with applicable laws and policies. This document must be received at least 14 days prior to the event, and will be kept in the file for your event. Please call the sales office to inquire about menu and pricing options.
Cancellation Policy
If an event is cancelled or postponed less than 45 days prior to the scheduled event date, the Friday Center reserves the right to charge one-half of the minimum anticipated fees for all services requested. If a contracted catered function is cancelled or postponed, the actual cost of any nonrecoverable catering expenses will be added. Numbers cannot be reduced at the time of cancellation. Cancellation fees will be calculated at 50 percent of the number booked as of 45 days prior to the program.
Guarantee Policy
The Friday Center must have a specific attendance number for all functions for which charges are made on a per-person basis. An estimated guest count is due at the time the reservation is made. A final guaranteed count is due by 11:00 am 3 business days prior to the function. After that point, guaranteed numbers can be increased, but not decreased. The number cannot fall below 75 percent of the number booked as of 45 days prior to the program. Billing will be based on the final guarantee or 75 percent of the number booked 45 days prior to the program, whichever is greater.
Service and Attendant Charges
China and linen service are provided at all food functions at the Friday Center unless the client requests otherwise. Special linen requests may require an additional fee and should be arranged through the Catering Coordinator. Any special requests involving set-up, decorations, or the menu should be arranged with Carolina Dining no less than 10 business days prior to the event. A 20 percent service charge will be added to all events requiring service or set-up staff. Please note that an additional 7 percent state sales tax is not included in the price. Events costing less than $500 will be assessed an attendant fee of $20 per hour for the first hour and $15 per hour for additional hours, per attendant. Events exceeding 2 hours will be assessed an attendant fee of $15 per hour for additional hours, per attendant.
Any special requests for early set-up must be coordinated with Friday Center staff. Functions that end later than 10:00 pm may be charged a special activity fee, an hourly fee of $15 per attendant, and an hourly fee of $15 per kitchen staff.
Floral Service and Decorations
Floral arrangements and gift baskets can be provided at an additional charge. Our Catering Coordinator will work with you to select the perfect color complements.
Custom Menus and Tasting
Our Executive Chef will customize a menu to your liking. Additionally, tastings are offered for a fee should you choose to sample your selections. Please contact our Catering Coordinator to arrange your custom menu or tasting.
Billing
Clients of the Friday Center agree to pay all applicable charges for use of the Center’s facilities and services, and payment of invoices is due within 30 days of receipt of invoice. Invoices paid after 30 days are subject to a late payment charge of 5 percent of the total bill.