Grinnell College’s Catering Services welcomes the opportunity to assist the College community and other campus guests with special events of all sizes, from small coffee calls to lunches, dinners, or receptions, at a variety of locations on campus.
We pride ourselves on providing the highest level of food quality and service, not only to meet but to exceed your expectations. Our award-winning catering staff, led by our executive chef, includes 13 chefs certified by the American Culinary Federation. It is their talents and creativity, complemented by the expertise and caring of our service staff, which makes the difference in our catered events.
Order your event today in 4 easy steps!
Step 1: Book a Space
Contact Conference Operations and Events to reserve a space for your event. Details concerning the type of event, date, time, the estimated number of guests, and your contact information will be discussed at this time. An electronic confirmation, which includes a reservation number, will be emailed to you. Refer to the reservation number when making arrangements for your event. Our experienced catering coordinator will contact you to discuss all your food and beverage needs.
Step 2: Review the Catering Policy
Grinnell College Catering is the designated caterer for all events held on campus, ensuring a consistent and high-quality dining experience for students, faculty, and staff. From time to time, catering waivers may be granted under specific circumstances, allowing external catering options upon approval. The goal of this exclusivity policy is to enhance campus events, meetings, and student activities through unique, premium dining options.
Remember to read the entire policy to ensure the best for your event! The policy is available on all catering proposals and is available to view on GrinnellShare (login required).
Step 3: Choose the Right Service
Grinnell Catering offers many styles of service from refreshment service to a full service with china, stemware, and white linens. All service levels provide all the needed equipment, service utensils, and proper signage.
Table Service
Platinum
Platinum level is only available for groups up to 75 people.
- Tables are cloth-covered and skirted and set with china plates, stemware, flatware, and cloth napkins along with salt and pepper, butter knives, bread and butter plates, coffee cups and saucers, creamer, and sugar.
- All food and beverages are served to the customer by our trained staff.
- Ice water is complimentary.
- All other beverages are charged separately.
Buffet Service — Customers Serve Themselves
Gold
- Tables are set with china plates, stemware, flatware, and cloth napkins along with salt and pepper, butter knives, bread and butter plates, coffee cups and saucers, creamer, and sugar.
- Tables are clothed and skirted .
- Coffee and iced water pitchers are placed on tables.
- Additional beverages will have the Grinnell College covers.
- Additional beverages are charged separately
- This service is attended to resupply and care for customer needs.
Silver
- China plates are placed on buffet line.
- Stainless flatware is rolled in a cloth napkin.
- Tables are clothed and skirted.
- All beverage cups are disposable.
- All beverages will have the Grinnell College covers.
- All beverages are charged separately.
- Service is attended to at the discretion of the catering manager.
Bronze
- All plates, cups, and cutlery are disposable.
- Tables are clothed and skirted.
- All beverages are charged separately.
- Service is attended to at the discretion of the catering manager.
Reception Service — Customers Serve Themselves
Gold
- All tables are cloth covered and skirted.
- China plates, glassware, and flatware are used for service.
- All hot beverages are served from silver urns.
- All cold beverages are served from clear dispensers.
- All beverages are charged separately.
- This service is attended to resupply and care for customer needs.
Silver
- All tables are cloth covered and skirted.
- All plates, cups, and cutlery are disposable.
- All beverages will have Grinnell College covers.
- All beverages are charged separately.
- This service may or may not have attendants on-site at the discretion of the catering manager.
Bronze
- All tables are cloth covered.
- All plates, cups, and cutlery are disposable.
- All beverages are charged separately.
- This service may or may not have attendants on site at the discretion of the catering manager
Refreshment Service — Customers Serve Themselves
Gold
- All tables are cloth covered and skirted.
- China plates, glassware, and flatware are used for service.
- All hot beverages are served from silver urns.
- All cold beverages are served from clear dispensers.
- All beverages are charged separately.
- Service is attended to at the discretion of the catering manager.
Silver
- All tables are cloth covered and skirted.
- All plates, cups, and cutlery are disposable.
- All beverages will have Grinnell College covers.
- All beverages are charged separately.
- Service is attended to at the discretion of the catering manager.
Bronze
- All tables are cloth covered.
- All plates, cups, and cutlery are disposable
- All beverages are charged separately
- This service is not attended
Step 4: Pick the Menu
College employees, please refer to Catering Services on GrinnellShare for details. All other customers please call our friendly staff in the Catering office at 641-269-3665 or email catering@grinnell.edu for all catering considerations.