Catering:
All Caterers must prepare event food in their health department-inspected commercial kitchen, Food Truck or Mobile Cooking Kitchen (The Mayes Event Center It is a prep kitchen only for staging and
completion of dishes before serving. NO food production may be done in the kitchen). Action Stations must be approved by Venue in advance, and only with induction style cooktops. Caterer must carry workman’s compensation and liability insurance. Proof of insurance and proof of certification under DOH must be provided with signed paperwork prior to the event (preferably before the sixty (60) day meeting, but no later than 30 days prior to your load in). Caterer must have a documented work plan submitted 30 days prior to the event. This document must include staff and set up a plan and clean-up plan to be out of the Event Center by 11pm. All liabilities and claims that may arise against Deerwoode Reserve from the caterer’s usage are released under the terms of the contract.
Self Catering:
If you choose self-catering you may purchase catering to go service (Catering platters and / or pans) or fully prepared store packaged food. To bring catering to go service or store packaged food, you are also required to hire staffing to manage the food and cleanup of, through and until, the end of the event. (See Outside Staffing Below). A list of approved staffing companies is provided in the Deerwoode approved vendor list.
Caterer Staffing:
All Full Service Caterers are responsible for providing all service staff, kitchen staff, and catering captain. The recommended ratio of service staff is 1 server per 25 guests for a buffet reception, and 2 servers per 25 guests for a plated and served meal. At a minimum, 1 kitchen staff per event is required to ensure that the trash, dishware, and kitchen remain in order during the event. If the Caterer is also providing bartending staff, 1 bartender is required for every 75 guests. All Bartenders and at least one staff member are required to stay until the conclusion of the event to handle cleanup. If the caterer does not provide this the client is responsible for hiring an additional staff for this purpose.
Outside Staffing:
If a staffing agency is used, the same staffing guidelines as listed above under Caterer Staffing applies. Deerwoode Reserve requires a copy of the agreement with the staffing company. Deerwoode Reserve requires an insurance policy to include workman’s compensation and liability insurance from that staffing agency. The staffing company will need to adhere to this policy in working with the caterer and to sign off on each policy form to have full knowledge of the working policies of Deerwoode Reserve.
Trash Removal: All Trash must be bagged and ready for removal. Clients must place all bags of trash in the service area off of the Catering Kitchen. No food or trash is to be left outside.
Event Setup:
Deerwoode Reserve typically allows 3 hours before an event for catering setup. Your Day of Coordinator is responsible for providing a timeline with a specific schedule of vendor arrivals for the event. Deerwoode Reserve will set up tables & chairs (Linen is not included in Deerwoode Set up) . The
caterer is responsible for setting up and breaking down plateware, flatware, glassware, and napkins. The caterer is also responsible for setting up and breaking down any additional food and beverage rental items.
Event Service:
Catering or Outside Staffing is responsible for all aspects related to service including bussing dishes and glassware, as well as clearing and disposing of any disposable service ware for the duration of the event, as well as cleaning any major spills in event area(s).
Caterers are typically allotted one hour after the event to clean and load out. Please confirm the time
allotted with the client or planner. If extra time is required, please notify the client, planner, or Deerwoode Reserve. Prior approval is needed as additional fees will apply. Caterer must check out with Deerwoode’s Event Manager before leaving the event premises.
Caterer is responsible for providing all preparation tools, serving trays, utensils, towels, cleaning supplies, to-go boxes, etc. needed for the event.