Catering Policies

Availability of Catering Services

Catered services are available between 6:30 AM and 6:30 PM every day of the year.  Notice of at least three business days in advance of date of service is required.  Catering carts delivered after 6:00 PM will be picked up the following day.

Late Order Policy:

Ordering

You may order online by going to our website.  Order forms are available in SW-110 or will be faxed or mailed to you upon request.  Please return completed forms to SW-110, mail to Box 356057 or fax to (206) 598-4156.  Please, no orders by telephone.  All orders must be received at least three business days in advance of catering date.  We may be unable to process orders received less than three days in advance; however if we are, a 25% rush service fee will be added to your order. Custom orders placed from our Plaza Café menu need to be submitted ten days in advance of the service date.  

Delivery

All items ordered come with the appropriate accompaniments (cups, condiments, plates, utensils, etc).  The Plaza Café caters only to the Medical Center and parts of the Health Sciences Building (excluding the H, I, J or K wings). Delivery is free of charge for orders of $30.00 or more. Delivery to the Plaza Café conference rooms is always free. For orders  under $30.00 the fee for delivery to areas other than the Plaza Café conference rooms is $15.00.  Delivery to South Campus Center requires a minimum order of $100, orders under $100 will be assessed a $25.00 delivery charge.  The Plaza Café is not responsible for orders left unattended. If you wish, you may pick up your order in SW-110 to avoid the delivery fee. Carts are not provided with your order and you are responsible for returning any non-disposable items.

Cart Return

The caterer will return two hours after delivering your order to pick up the cart and non-disposable items.  If you move the cart, please notify 206-598-5322 prior to that time.  Failure to alert staff of the new location of the cart prior to the attempt to pick it up will result in a $35.00 charge.  If you need the cart longer than two hours please make a note in the comment section of your order.

Breakage or Shortage

Breakage, shortage, or repair of items will be charged to you, at cost per item.

Place Settings

Luncheon plates and dinners served in the Plaza Café conference rooms will be set up on china with linens free of charge.  Deli trays, nibbles, coffee service and buffet lunches are set with paper plates and plastic ware.  The cost for china place settings for these items is $3.00 per person.  The Plaza Café does not provide china in rooms other than our conference rooms.  When you call to reserve rooms, please let us know you will be ordering a china catered service so we can schedule the room time appropriately.

Alcoholic Beverages

Alcoholic beverages are not available through the Plaza Café.  Our customers may provide alcohol to be served at the event; however, it is the customer’s responsibility to obtain the necessary banquet permit and required signatures.  Go online to https://depts.washington.edu/sprogram/alcohol-service/alcohol-service-form/ to obtain permit.  Alcohol not permitted in the Health Sciences Lobby at anytime.

Receipt

Your receipt will be attached to your order when it is delivered.  If you need copies of receipts they are available in our office (SW-110).  You will receive a confirmation of your order when you submit the order online.

Payment

Payment by budget number will occur automatically by departmental budget transfer.  Please refer to receipt (attached to your order on the day of service) for the amount charged.  Budgets must be approved in advance for food purchases, call (206) 598-4151.  Payment by cash, Visa, Mastercharge or American Express should be made in our office (SW-110) on or before the date of service.  State sales tax is applied to these purchases.  Budget purchases are exempt of sales tax.

Cancellation or Changes

Cancellation of orders must be made at least three business days in advance of delivery to avoid a charge of the total bill.  Changes to orders should be made at least three business days in advance to ensure all changes can be processed.