Catering in the Campus Center

Beginning September 1st, there will be the following service fee assessed based on the total cost for CATERING SERVICES within the SMC Campus Center:  
 
8% of total cost up to $5,000
$400 flat fee for a total cost of over $5,000
 
This fee will help us continue providing a higher service and quality level to accommodate your catering needs.

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 have identified multiple vendors with the capability to service a variety of food and beverage requests. The list includes Cater Nation as an option, a new catering service used for small events, desiring drop-off meals. You can easily access their services by visiting the Cater Nation website, entering our zip code (21201), and selecting "UMB Local" from the dropdown filter. For further details, please visit caternation.com.

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.

Authorized Caterers are the only food/beverage services permitted to have food within the meeting rooms/spaces unless prior approval has been obtained from Event Services.  Non-compliance with this policy will result in a $500 fee.

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   

Yes Chef!
1706 Whetstone Way, Baltimore, MD 21230
877-937-2433
yes-chef.com

David and Dad's Café and Catering  
115 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201 
410-547-0550
davidanddads.com

Mission BBQ Catering of Maryland, LLC 
7750 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21061
410-840-7300
Contact: Andrea Gelsomino
agelsomino@mission-bbq.com
https://mission-bbq.com/catering-b/

Jimmy's Famous Seafood
6526 Holabird Avenue, Baltimore MD  21224
410-205-9660
Contact: Daria Corey
Trinacria Catering
406 N Paca Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
410-685-7285

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

Jay's Catering  
215 East Chase Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
410-685-3861
myjayscatering.com

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

Atwater's Catering
2905 Whittington Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230
410-644-3435

 

Local Food Connection

The Local Food Connection, which includes Cater Nation, 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 is a new catering process needed in the SMC Campus Center? 

As a result of the mutually ended contract with Chartwells and the recommendations gathered from the SMC Campus Center’s Food Service Advisory Committee in 2023, the new catering process at the SMC Campus Center has been created to significantly enhance the overall experience for our clients and their guests. The new process includes a streamlined arrangement that reduces complexity around managing food and beverage needs during events, improved communication, vendor accountability, and provides an overall enhanced experience.

What is the new catering process in the SMC Campus Center? 

The process begins once you receive confirmation of an approved reservation for meeting space from Event Services. You should then reach out to our dedicated team at SMCcatering@umaryland.edu. They will assist you in selecting a catering company from our Authorized List of Caterers that best suits your event's needs. Additionally, they will:  

  • Provide consultation and guidance from the start to the completion of your event.
  • Liaise between you and the vendor to ensure your needs are met.
  • Assist with selecting caterers that best fit your needs, requesting quotes, and order placement thus streamlining the process and saving you time.
  • Provide on-site coordination with the catering vendor during your event.
  • Remain the main point of contact with the vendor to ensure seamless movement during load in/load out and the building transition of your order.

Is the new service fee being implemented on September 1st a result of this new process? Is the service fee a specific % of the order? 

Yes, the new service fee is based on the new catering services being provided and the total cost of your order. The fee schedule starting September 1st is:

8% of total cost of food and beverage order up to $5,000 OR a

$400 flat fee for a total cost of orders over $5,000

The service fee will apply to all catered events occurring on or after September 1st, outside of when the reservation was approved.

**Please note, catering services provided by Yes Chef! and The Local Food Connection are exempt from this service fee.   Yes Chef! has a direct contract with UMB and Student Affairs whereas our other providers do not.  Services from The Local Food Connection is exempt due to Student Affairs’ direct partnership with the Office of Community Engagement  .**

Can I contact and place my order with the caterer directly? 

While you are welcome to contact the caterer directly to discuss your catering needs, we kindly request that you include the Assistant Director for Catering, Tara Gillis, in any communication. Please also submit a copy of your invoice upon receipt. This ensures we are kept informed of your catering

arrangements and can assist with day-of logistics to confirm a seamless experience for your event. Also, we will contact the caterer to verify that everything in your order is correct and will be appropriately delivered on the day of your event. Please note, placing the catering order does not omit the service fee from being assessed at the conclusion of your event.  

Why do we need to submit the invoice? 

Submitting the invoice is crucial for several reasons, but most prominent, to obtain essential details of your catering order and confirm load-in/load-out times and set-up preferences for service, along with verifying the accuracy of the food order against what is delivered on the day of your meeting or event. The invoice helps us identify any discrepancies and ensures that you are billed correctly for the services provided. Also, the invoice confirms the appropriate amount of the service fee that will be assessed at the end of your event. Timely submission of the invoice enables us to calculate the fee accurately and transparently. Failure to submit the invoice within two (2) days of your meeting or event will result in an automatic 8% service fee charge. This policy is in place to encourage timely submission and ensure smooth processing of invoices.

Is it possible to bring in food or beverages from sources other than the caterers on your authorized list, or in addition to them? 

Authorized caterers are the only food and beverage services permitted to have and/or handle food within the meeting rooms/spaces, unless prior approval has been obtained from Event Services. Noncompliance with this policy will result in a $500 fee.

If we have an approved room reservation at the SMC Campus Center and want to use a caterer not on the Authorized Caterers List, do we have the option? 

While we strongly encourage the selection of a vendor from our list of Authorized Caterers, we understand there may be unique dietary needs or preferences that require consideration. Our Authorized Caterers have been carefully vetted and maintain specific partnerships with us to ensure the smooth execution of meetings and events while upholding our standards and expectations for quality. We recognize there may be instances where a caterer not on our list is required for groups who need kosher, cultural or dietary specific meals that our Authorized Caterers cannot accommodate. In such cases, we are open to considering alternative options on a case-by-case basis.

If you have a preferred caterer that is not on our list and believe they can meet the needs of your event, we encourage you to reach out to us to discuss your requirements. We will carefully evaluate the vendor and determine if adding them would be of value.

We are hosting an event outside of the SMC Campus Center. Can you provide me with assistance with catering options?  

While our catering assistance is primarily focused on events held within the SMC Campus Center, we understand the importance of finding the right catering options for your off-site event. While we cannot directly assist with catering options outside of our venue, we are committed to helping you find the resources you need by offering access to our authorized list. We encourage you to check with the venue personnel where you are hosting your event, as they may have additional vendor recommendations to offer.