Tufts Catering provides three service types: Drop-off, Standard, and Full Service. Please note that space setup and custodial services are not provided by Tufts Catering.
Drop-off Service
Drop-off Service includes food and beverage drop-off or pickup only with no buffet setup, staffing, or equipment provided (eg: no coffee urns or pump pots).
Availability
- Monday through Friday only, 8:00am to 7:00pm. Not available during recess periods.
- Requires confirmation no fewer than 3 full business days prior to the event; guest count guarantee also due 3 full business days before the event
- Requires access to delivery location 30 minutes prior to event; large events will require additional setup time
- Drop-off Service orders placed with less than 3 full business days’ notice will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Accepted late orders will incur a $50 late fee.
- Same-day orders will be referred to Tufts Dining retail locations for take-out service.
Service Fees
- Delivery fee: $15
- Pickup orders: no fee
- Administrative fees will apply during summer session
- $200 food and beverage order minimum
- Boston and SMFA Campuses: $500 food and beverage minimum
Standard Service
Standard Service includes delivery and full buffet setup by Tufts Catering, and guarantees if necessary a return trip for buffet cleanup at the agreed-upon time. Standard service is not available for events that request china and/or glassware.
Availability
- Available Monday through Friday only, 8:00am to 8:00pm and weekends available in 4-hour increments (administrative fees and minimums apply).
- Available during recess and summer sessions with administrative fees applied
- Requires confirmation and guest count guarantee no fewer than 5 full business days prior to the event
- Requires access to delivery location thirty minutes prior to event; large events will require additional setup time
- Standard Service orders placed with less than 5 full business days notice will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Accepted late orders will incur a $50 late fee.
- Same-day orders will be referred to Tufts Dining retail locations for take-out service.
Service & Admin Fees
Weekday Events
- Guest counts under 49 guests will incur a $25 delivery fee
- Guest counts over 50 guests will incur a $50 delivery fee
- Guest counts over 100 will incur administrative fees to offset staffing, delivery, setup, and clearing services
- Administrative fees will apply to all recess and summer session standard services
- $200 food and beverage order minimum
- Boston and SMFA Campuses: $500 food and beverage minimum
Weekend Events
- Administrative fees will be applied to weekend services and recess periods in 4-hour increments
- $500 food and beverage order minimum
Full Service
Full Service catering requires special attention or the scheduling of catering managers, servers, bartenders, or other staff. This option is available for most of our Standard & Full Service Menus, but some menus are Standard Service only.
Availability
- Requires confirmation no later than 5 business days prior to the event
- Requires access to delivery location thirty minutes prior to event; large events will require additional setup time
- Any orders received less than 5 full business days before an event may not be fulfilled due to the availability of staff attendants, servers, or bartenders.
Service & Admin Fees
- Internal Catering Staff will be billed a rate of $30 to 40 per hour admin fee
- Temporary service agencies that provide special event bartenders, waitstaff, and culinary support require admin fees ranging from $40 to $51 per hour at a 4-hour minimum of service.
- Food and beverage prices within the Tufts Catering menu or on the event proposal do not include delivery, setup, clearing, or the cost of waitstaff and bartenders.
- Administrative Fees may increase for Weekend, Recess, and University Holidays