Catering Policy

The University of Portland has an exclusive catering partner, Bon Appetit. Bon Appetit provides and manages all food service programs including catering and summer conference meal service on campus. They also have exclusive right to sell all food products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Because of this, Bon Appetit has the first right of refusal for all catering events on campus.

A catering event is any of the following:

• involves alcohol,
• involves an invitation or is publicized,
• is open to the general public, general student body or campus community,
• or for which anyone may purchase a ticket

In order to accommodate special circumstances, some flexibility is allowed to utilize other means for catering on a case-by-case basis. All events utilizing other avenues outside of Bon Appetit must have prior approval from Bon Appetit and University Events/Summer Conferences & Programs. Most exception requests will not be approved unless unusual circumstances create a need for an exception.

If an exception request is approved, the department is responsible for obtaining a caterer that meets the insurance, liability, and contractual obligations of the University of Portland.

The vendor must be able to:

• provide Vendor’s Certificate of Liability Insurance for $1,000,000 naming University of Portland additionally insured, if requested.
• provide a copy of the Vendor’s Occupational License, Health Department Certificate and Contact Information.
• additional University policies and regulations are applicable.

As a reminder, Bon Appetit holds the OLCC liquor license for the University of Portland. Because of this, all events that include alcohol must be catered and managed by Bon Appetit.