Catering in the Campus Center

Catering and retail food service options at the SMC Campus Center will shift starting April 1, 2023. The retail food service and catering agreement with the current vendor, Chartwells, will end on March 31. Chartwells will fulfill catering commitments until the end of March.

For more information, read the communication on The Elm.

Temporary Catering Model

Under the previous catering model, Chartwells was the exclusive caterer in the SMC Campus Center for all events except those hosted by student organizations. Under the new, temporary catering model, all events in the Campus Center have access to a variety of local full-service catering companies.

All catering arrangements must be made and coordinated through the Campus Center’s Event Services. To choose a catering company or local restaurant from the current authorized list for your next event in the SMC Campus Center, please contact smccatering@umaryland.edu or 410-706-3782.

Authorized Caterers

To increase the opportunity for a diverse catering experience within the SMC Campus Center, we explored the use of caterers for upcoming meetings and events.

We identified six (6) vendors with the capability to service a variety of food and beverage requests. The list includes Foodify as an option, a popular service used for small events, desiring drop-off meals. 

This list will continue to be updated, based on the needs of the UMB campus community and our affiliated guests. Event Services will work directly with meeting and event hosts, and the vendors, to ensure each meeting or event has its necessary food and beverage needs met, along with all other logistics.

To get started, please email SMCcatering@umaryland.edu to connect with a member of Event Services.

The Classic Catering People  
99 Painters Mill Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117 
410-356-1666
www.classiccatering.com   

Copper Kitchen  
2000 Washington Blvd, Ste. J, Baltimore, MD 21230 
410-244-7152
www.copperkitchenmd.com

Jay’s Catering  
1309 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 
410-685-3861
www.myjayscatering.com

Rouge Fine Catering  
11110 Pepper Road, Ste. F, Hunt Valley, MD 21031 
410-527-0007
www.rougecatering.com

Zeffert and Gold Catering  
6601 Whitestone Road, Ste. E, Baltimore, MD 21207 
410-944-4481
www.zeffertandgold.com

Xquisite Catering  
1502 Joh Ave, Ste 160, Baltimore, MD 21227 
410-274-2601
www.xquisitecateringllc.com

Local Food Connection

The Local Food Connection, which includes Foodify, is a program led by UMB's Office of Community Engagement, that works to support the economy of neighboring communities in West Baltimore by using institutional purchasing power. By purchasing catering through these vendors UMB can help build reliable revenue streams that help neighborhoods retain food businesses that hire local workers, improve local properties, and make food available to community members. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did the agreement with Chartwells end?  ▾

Both the University of Maryland, Baltimore and Chartwells mutually agreed not to renew the food service contract.

How soon should I contact Event Services for catering?  ▾

Anyone interested in having any level of catering for events hosted in the Campus Center should contact and work through Event Services as soon as they have a confirmed reservation for use of meeting and/or event space. The email specific to catering needs is smccatering@umaryland.edu. 

Am I able to use an external vendor who is not an authorized caterer or on the Local Food Connection?  ▾

Event planners interested in using a catering option outside of the current authorized list, must contact the Campus Center’s Event Services no less than 2 - 3 weeks prior to the event. Please include the desire for the use of an alternative option (i.e., Kosher or specific cultural meals needed, etc.).

How will this temporary model impact the purchasing process for catering? ▾

UMB departments must abide by the UMB Food Policy. UMB Student Organizations and Non-UMB entities are an exception to the policy but still encouraged to use the Local Food Connection, which includes Foodify, or the authorized caterers for their catering needs. For questions regarding the UMB Food policy or processes, please contact your finance department.

Procurement Cards are permitted for use for goods < $4,999.99. Approved vendors will have an approved Catering MCC Code (5811) which will allow UMB’s Procurement card to be used for payment. For items over the threshold of $4,999.99, a requisition/PO will be needed for procurement approval and a check mailed to the vendor within (6-8 weeks).  

Please note that UMB SOAPF and UMMC Cost Center are currently not accepted as a method of payment. 

Will the grab and go options in the Market at UMB still be available after March 31? ▾

UMB Student Affairs is currently exploring food and beverage options for The Market at UMB. Decisions and updates will be posted to the SMC Campus Center webpage, as well as The Elm, Campus Life Weekly, and the Elm Weekly.