Policies

Plan Your Event

Welcome to the Carved and Crafted Menu by UNM Catering! Our mission is to provide you with exceptional quality, outstanding service and a creative, cutting-edge culinary experience. Our professional staff is available to assist in planning your special event Monday-Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm. Please contact the Catering Sales Office at (505) 277-2506 or email UNMCatering@compass-usa.com if you have any questions.

Just visit us at unmcatering.catertrax.com to view menu options and access the New Order Request Form. You will receive an email from our office once your order request is received. Please make sure you receive confirmation that your order request has been received. 

Don’t see what you are looking for on the menu? Give us a call! We would be happy to speak with you about your needs and create a customized menu for your event.

Lead time

Orders for delivery on Central Campus can be placed online as long as there is an 8-day lead time or more. Orders for North and south Campuses can be placed online as long as there is a 15-day lead time or more. Whenever possible, please have your catering order finalized 10 days prior to your event. This will ensure the availability of your desired items and delivery timing. We do understand that events arise unexpectedly and will always do our best to accommodate your requests. Keep in mind that there is a possibility that certain items and delivery times may be unavailable when your order is placed, so please contact the office directly in these situations to get verbal confirmation of your order. For online catering order requests placed within 7 days of the event for Main Campus, and 14 days for North and South Campuses, your request will go to the Catering Sales Office for review. Order requests sent within 5 business days prior to the event are subject to an additional fee. For plated meals and events with 100 or more guests, please place your order request a minimum of 1 month prior to your event. 

Guest Counts

For events with “per person” pricing, a guaranteed number of guests will be required 10 business days prior to your event.
This number is your guaranteed minimum and cannot decrease. Charges will be based on this guest count, or the actual number of guests, whichever is greater.
We will make every effort to accommodate increases to this guest count, but please be aware that under certain circumstances alternate menu items may be substituted for last minute additions, and additional charges may apply. Please inform us of increases to your guest count as early as possible so that we can give you the best possible service.

All buffets, plated meals, and some other menu items are subject to minimum guest counts. These minimums are listed on the menu. Please note that your event may be subject to a per person surcharge if your guest count falls below the minimum. Buffets meals that fall below the minimum are subject to a $5 fee per person. Plated meals that fall below the minimum are subject to a $20 fee per person. 

Event Length

Events and menus are billed in two hour increments. Events exceeding the two-hour limit will be subject to additional service fees. Please note that buffet items are replenished only during this two hour time frame. If you need additional service (beverages, etc.), a la carte options are available. Please inform the sales office when planning your event if you require service for longer than two hours.

Leftovers

Per health code regulations, we unfortunately cannot allow guests to remove any perishable leftover food from any event. 

Deposit/Payment Policy

UNM Departments: For your convenience, a P-Card can be accepted as payment for your event. We will ask you to provide the card number in advance to confirm your order. The card will then be charged for the balance of your invoice on the business day following your event. If your event is cancelled, cancellation fees may apply. Please see the policies below pertaining to cancellation.
Please contact the Catering Sales Office directly if you have questions or would like to discuss alternate payment options. We are happy to answer your questions, address your concerns or assist you in finding more information. 

General Public: Cash and credit cards are accepted for payment. A credit card number is required to secure our services on your date. Full payment must be received up to 10 days prior to the event. Under certain circumstances, a check might be accepted as a form of payment. All check payments must be received prior to the event. If paying by check, the check needs to be made out to Chartwells Dining Services and mailed to Chartwells, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC 03-2200, SUB Bldg 60, Room 1092, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131.

Tasting Policy

Tastings are scheduled a minimum of 1 month out. We will schedule your tasting Monday-Friday between 1pm-3pm. When scheduling a tasting you will need to pick a maximum of 2 entrées to try. The tasting is set up for 2 people. Tastings are $150 plus tax. When you book and confirm your event with UNM Catering the tasting fee is credited to your final bill. To schedule a tasting please either call our office at (505) 277-2506 or email us at UNMCatering@compass-usa.com.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be made in writing no less than 72 hours prior to your event. Please note the following cancellation fees that may apply:
Cancellations with more than 72 hours notice:
· No charge
Cancellations with 24-72 hours notice:
· A fee of 50% of your event charges will apply
(based on your guaranteed guest count)
Cancellations within 24 hours of event:
· A fee of 100% of your event charges will apply (based on your guaranteed guest count)
Be aware that in the event of a cancellation, these charges will be automatically applied to the credit card that was submitted to secure our services for your date.
We understand that things can change unexpectedly, and that you may have last minute consumption items or add-ons. These will be charged to the card on file at the conclusion of your event (extra beverages, linens, unanticipated guests, etc.).

When inclement weather impacts the normal operation of our delivery service, UNM Catering will make every attempt to safely provide our services for our guests. We will also make every attempt to contact our guests to confirm the status of their event and notify them in a timely manner regarding any changes in our services. If no alternative plans have been made prior to, UNM Catering will follow the closures and delays that is set forth by the University of New Mexico.

Linen and China Fees

A la carte menus, hors d’ oeuvre receptions, and buffet menus include disposable ware (plates, napkins, etc.) pertaining to the menu, and linens for the food service tables. If you require linen for any other tables (seating tables, cocktail tables, etc.) or if you prefer china, silverware and/or glassware instead of disposables, additional fees will apply as follows:

China

$2.00 per person for events in the Student Union Building
$5.50 per person for events outside of the Student Union Building

Glassware for bar service

$2 per person for events in the Student Union Building

$4 per person for events outside of the Student Union Building

Linen

The first ten linen for your event are complimentary, any linen needed in addition to this will be $7.50 each.

Please note that there is no additional fee for china and linen if your event is a plated dinner in the SUB building.

Delivery Service & Fees

Orders must be a minimum of $200 in food and beverage to qualify for delivery on campus. If your order does not qualify for delivery, we also offer the option to pick up your order from the Welcome Desk in the Student Union Building or the Catering Sales Office, also in the SUB building. Available pick-up times may be limited, so please arrange accurate timing in advance.
Delivery/set up/clean-up service is available from 6am – 6pm Monday through Friday, and 6am – 10pm Saturday and Sunday. A fee will be applied for off-hours delivery or clean up service based on the services provided.
In order to account for high volume, and the many variables that can occur when delivering, delivery and cleanup service times will be scheduled in 30-60 minute windows. Your delivery/clean up window will be scheduled to begin 30-60 minutes prior to your selected time, based on location. For example, if your delivery is scheduled for 11:30am, your order may arrive as early as 10:30am and as late as 11:30am. If your cleanup is scheduled for 2pm, our staff will arrive as close to 2pm possible. Please schedule your delivery and cleanup times as the earliest time you would like our staff to arrive.
Combination delivery/set up/cleanup fees are charged as a minimum of $45 and may vary by distance and order size. This covers delivery, set up and pick up of your menu items and our serving pieces. A pick up fee is only necessary if we have left non-disposable serving pieces or linens at the location. Many orders can be executed with entirely disposable serving pieces, in which case a discounted “delivery only” fee will apply. Please consult with a catering manager for options pertaining to your event, additional fees may apply.
Please ensure that the delivery location is ready and accessible for our staff to deliver your order within your delivery window. A cell phone number for the point of contact on the day of the event should be provided in case our staff has issues delivering your order. Please also arrange for tables for the buffet or a surface of sufficient size.
Please note that delivery/set up/clean up fees do not apply to events held inside the Student Union Building.
Additionally if our service staff arrives for pick up and cannot gain access to the equipment there will be an additional fee of $100.

Service Charges

Some events requiring staff will be subject to service charges. These charges are calculated at $30-$40 per hour for service staff and $40 per hour for bartenders. An estimate of these charges will be provided when you book your catering. Please note that the charges may vary with changes in the guest count. Service fees are subject to increase based on business volume. 

Bar Services

All alcohol sales are subject to sales tax. One bar is required for every 100 guests or less. Both Cash and Hosted Bars require Bartender service, included for the first 2 hours. Additional bartender hours will be billed at $40/hour. Valid ID's are required. All alcohol must be consumed on-site, during the event. 

Outside Vendors – SUB, Golf Course, Faculty Club, Draft & Table

Please note that all food and beverage items to be served at your event must be provided by UNM Catering unless specific arrangements have been made with the catering manager in advance. Wedding cakes are always permitted, however any other type of baked good must be discussed and approved in advance. Please note that UNM Catering is able to provide customized cakes, cookies, pastries, dessert stations, etc. Please ask, we are happy to provide specialized options for your event!