LSU Dining

Guidelines For Placing A Catered Order:

We now offer a new online booking system for your convenience!  Please go to www.lsucatering.catertrax.com.  Be sure to select the LSU Student Union as your location. 

If you need further assistance or have questions, please contact our Catering Office at:

LSU Student Union Catering Office
Room 306 LSU Student Union
Phone: 225.578.6656 or 225.578.5952
Fax: 225.578.0826
Email: catering@lsu.edu

 

 

Guidelines for Placing A Catered Order:

When placing a catered order, please follow the guidelines below to ensure accuracy of your event and to prevent delays. If you need further assistance, please contact us at the above phone numbers.

Service Styles

Different serving styles are available upon request. Please discuss these with our Catering Director. These include: full service, buffet service, delivery and carry out.

Special Notice to University Groups:

Please observe the following guidelines when booking your events with the LSU Student Union Catering Office to ensure proper handling of your event.

 

1. Please have a completed AS499 submitted to LSU Catering at least 5 days prior to the event. Forms are available via fax, online or from Accounting Services. Please inform us of your dollar amount.
2. Please include all gratuity, delivery fees and applicable taxes in your dollar amounts submitted for approval to Accounting Services. You may want a written quote first.
3. All events booked within LSU Dining leased space will require a 2-week lead-time for those events that are paid with University funds.
4. An AS499 DOES NOT book your event. You need to contact our office to place your order.
5. Please note that you should book your room or facility prior to placing your catering order.
6. All events NOT held in LSU Dining leased space will require the following:
   • If over $500.00 will require a 30 day lead time
   • If less than $500 will require a 5 day lead-time.
7. All cash events or events using Foundation funds will require a 5-day lead-time.
8. You may use the LA CARTE card.

    

   
   

   Please give us time to prepare for your event. While we may be able to accommodate your needs with less lead-time, we prefer the opportunity to do our best for you. In order to help us do this, please follow the suggested time lines below.

9. Orders for refreshment breaks should be placed with the Catering Office 10 working days before the event.
10. Orders for meals and receptions should be placed no fewer than 14 working days before the event.
11. Menus must be finalized 14 working days before the event.
12. Alcoholic beverage permit application must be completed 14 working days prior to the function.
13. Decor arrangements must be finalized 14 days before the function.
14. You may increase the order but not decrease within 24 hours of the event. There will be no count decrease or menu changes with 72 business hours of your event.

Table and Chair Set-ups

A variety of table and chair arrangements are available. Please finalize seating arrangements at the time you finalize the menu with our office. Due to the limited amount of round tables, they cannot be guaranteed. Tables and chairs are provided by Facility Services or Event Services in the LSU Student Union. LSU Dining does not provide tables and chairs.

Deliveries

Please submit bid invitations for deliveries 4 weeks in advance for any function that will exceed $500.00. We are able to deliver any item on our menu. Disposables will be used unless otherwise specified. There will be a $1 per person charge for use of china and silver for events located outside of the LSU Student Union.

There is a $50 minimum order for deliveries; however, arrangements may be made through our office for pick up orders.

There will be a delivery fee of $25 on all deliveries. Any event held at the Lod Cook Alumni Center will include a 15% surcharge in addition to any other applicable fees. Any event held at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center will include a 7.5% surcharge.

Guarantees and Minimums

When placing a catered order, the customer must provide the Catering Office with an estimated guest count. No less than 3 business days before the event, the customer must provide the Catering Office with a guaranteed minimum guest count for which the customer will pay. Neither the guest count nor menu may change 24 hours prior to the event. In the event your actual guest count exceeds the guaranteed number, we will make every effort to accommodate your guests, but LSU Dining is not ultimately accountable if we are unable to accommodate guests exceeding your final count. Please inform us if your anticipated guarantee is significantly different from your estimate.

Overrun Charges

Two and a half hours of service are normally provided for catered meals. If there is to be a program during the meal, please notify the Catering Office when making initial arrangements. If the service is to be beyond 3 hours, there will be a $50 per half hour attendant charge.

Billing Details

1. We will prepare to serve only 5% over the final guarantee amount for buffets and served meals.
2. Prices quoted do not include sales tax or gratuities.
3. An approved AS499 or Louisiana Sales Tax Exemption Certificate is required for tax exemption.
4. Gratuity in the amount of 15% will be added to the cost of your event.
5. Checks, cash, La Carte card may be used to pay for your catered event.
6. Food items prepared onsite, which are not consumed, remain the property of LSU Dining following the event due to health and liability reasons.
7. For IT accounts, please ensure that the per diem amounts are not exceeded (including all fees, gratuities and taxes).

Billing Details

This exciting new section has been developed to give you, the consumer, creative, low cost options for your function whether it is an office party or business meeting.

 

1. Carry out orders must be made at least 3 working days prior to the event. Adjustments on early orders may be made up to 48 hours prior to the event. Orders over 50 guests are subject to normal catering deadlines.
2. An approved AS499 or check must be received by the Catering Office no later than 48 hours prior to the order being picked up.
3. If possible, all items will be served in disposable ware. If the carry out necessitates use of non-disposable equipment, a deposit of $100.00 or 10% (whichever is less) may be required. In the case of lost or damaged equipment, the customer must pay the cost of replacing the item(s).
4. Carry-outs will be picked up at the designated time and location according to the catering contract.
5. All equipment shall be returned and checked into the Catering Office within 24 hours of the event. This time may be adjusted by the Catering Office if there is a special problem, i.e., holiday or the kitchen is closed.
6. Minimums for caryout items are the units as advertised, i.e., tray for 50, serves 16, 1 gallon, etc.
7. Carry-outs will be provided with service for the number of people indicated. The charge will also be for the full number anticipated.
8. Having a small meeting and need lunch? Place a pick up order through the LSU Student Union Catering Office.