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Teachers College Catering Policy states that TC Dining Services partner, Columbia Dining Services, is the preferred caterer on campus. All departments are encouraged to contact Columbia Dining Services to discuss their catering needs. Columbia Dining Services has a set catering menu, but also has staff available to develop customized menus to meet your needs. Additionally, they will be able to provide both drop off service and full-service catering with attendants and/or bartenders.
Departments may use outside caterers provided the vendor meets all procurement requirements to provide service at Teachers College – 1) vendor registered in UniMarket, 2) vendor provides you proof of insurance, and 3) vendor has completed the required sexual harassment training, and 4) provides proof of liquor license if alcohol is being purchased and served. Departments can follow-up with TC Business Services. Departments who use outside caterers are responsible for all clean-up.
For small or incidental food purchases that are allowable under the College’s Travel & Expense and Petty Cash policies, departments do not need to order from Columbia Dining Services. However, these types of food purchases are paid for by a College employee and then the employee is reimbursed via existing expense reimbursement procedures. Examples of this may include providing snacks (which you go to the grocery store and buy) for a lunchtime meeting (chips and salsa for three to five people, dozen donuts for three to five people for a breakfast meeting, etc). Departments may not piece together multiple petty cash reimbursements to circumvent the catering policy.
Therefore, all food orders/food purchases that are for eight or more people and involve prepared food being brought onto campus by any outside agency are not allowed under the Campus Catering Policy. Additionally, College employees may not purchase prepared food and bring that food onto campus and expect to be reimbursed for said food unless it falls into the category of small or incidental food purchases mentioned above.
The following Catering Guide offers a wide selection of high-quality food and services. As Teacher College’s catering specialists, it is our goal to exceed your expectations.
We are always available to create a menu tailored to your specific needs. Please contact us for any special arrangements or items you may not find in this guide.
Please note
Please login to your Catertrax account at teacherscollege.catertrax.com or feel free to contact Teachers College Premier Catering at (212) 531-5235 or email us at TCdining@tc.columbia.edu.
We are more than happy to arrange an initial meeting to discuss your event, meeting or party needs. Or, if you simply need guidance or assistance in placing your order, please contact us.
The prices outlined in this guide pertain to services rendered during our normal hours of operations, Monday - Friday 7am to 6pm. Certain services (such as china service, tended bars, chef stations, etc.) or catering services executed outside of our normal hours of operations, may require service attendance and additional fees.
To ensure your event is a success, we require orders to be placed 1 week prior to your event date. Orders placed outside of this time frame may have limited available menu options. Your final guest count is needed 72 hours prior to your event date. The final invoice will be based on the guaranteed guest count number provided or the number of guests in attendance at the event, whichever is greater.
All cancellations must be submitted in writing and received by our office at least 24 business hours prior to the event date. Any event that is not cancelled within this period will result in 50% payment of the total amount of the contract. Events that are cancelled within 4 hours of the event will result in 100% payment of the total amount of the contract plus, additional charges for rentals, equipment and linens. If a cancellation is received after normal business hours, your request will be processed the next business day; Catering office hours are Monday – Friday, 8am to 4pm.
We understand that last-minute cancellations are occasionally unavoidable. Please contact the catering department to discuss re- booking incentives for cancellations due to unforeseen conditions.
Event locations must be reserved prior to the event. Please ensure you have tables ordered from Facilities. Our catering team can arrange for rental equipment, if needed. Please ensure that event locations are unlocked to allow for prompt delivery and clean up. Based on the complexity of your event we may need up to two hours prior to your setup time and two hours following your schedule event time for breakdown.
Orders are typically scheduled to be setup 30 minutes prior to your event unless otherwise noted. Additional fees may be applied after Regular Business hours (listed above) and off-site deliveries. Events that do not require a server present, as well late night and weekends orders will be picked up the next business day.
Certain events require service staff. Service staff is billed for a five (5) hour minimum. Please note that all events served on china require wait staff. Extended setup and/or breakdown requirements will be billed accordingly. Here are some basic guidelines to follow.
Teachers College Premier Catering can provide a bartender who is TIPS Certified. The rate is $48/hour with a five hour minimum. Please refer to the Teachers College Alcohol Policy with any questions regarding alcohol at events.
If permission is granted by Teachers College to have an outside vendor come onto campus please be aware that Teachers College Premier Catering is not responsible for any food, equipment, or supplies. All kitchen facilities and appropriate permits are maintained by and strictly for Teachers College Premier Catering’s use only.
The individual that authorizes a catering order commits to borrowing all equipment provided. The complete return of the borrowed equipment is the responsibility of that authorized individual. If any equipment is lost, broken, or removed from the service site, a replacement cost will be applied. If your event requires special equipment, applicable rental charges will be added to your final invoice.
Prices per person for basic catering services are inclusive of compostable products. As your selected caterer we can provide your event with linens for banquet tables and meeting tables. Our standard white linens can be provided for $15.00 per 6-foot banquet tables. Top cloths for round tables can be rented for $15.00 each.
A large variety of sizes and patterns of specialty linen are available to make your event extra special. Linens are available upon request and are priced according to your needs. We need a minimum of 72 hours’ notice to rent specialized linens.
All TC Departments must pay for their order with their Teachers College index number. Outside groups can pay with a credit card, and the card will be charged at the time the order is placed.
2023-2024 Teachers College Premier Catering - (212) 531-5235 - TCdining@tc.columbia.edu
