How do I Book
My Event? |
Once you have confirmed a date with us
we will send you a contract that includes all of the pertinent information
for your event. Your event is not finalized with us until we receive a
signed contract and a deposit if applicable. |
| Is a Deposit Required? |
A $200.00 deposit is required to hold all
Friday, Saturday and Sunday caters. This deposit will be subtracted
from your final bill at time of payment. This is a non-refundable
deposit. |
| When are My Menu Selections made? |
Final menu selections are required
two weeks prior to your event. We will be happy to
substitute available menu items to create a special menu for
you although additional charges may apply. Vegetarian options
are available as well. |
| When is My Final Guest Count Due? |
We ask for an estimated number
of guests when you book your event. A rough final estimate is required
two weeks prior to your event. A final guest count is required
48 hours in advance of your event. If notice of your final guest count
is not received 48 hours prior to your event we will use your two week
estimate number for food preparation and billing purposes. Your 48 hour
final guarantee number is the number you will be billed for unless the
number of guests served exceeds your guarantee number. Number of guests
served is determined by a plate count taken immediately after your last
guest has passed throught the buffet line. |
| What is Included in The Listed Prices? |
Prices are based on the number
of people you are currently expecting. The price of the buffet
includes one trip through the buffet for each guest, not all
you can eat. The price also includes setup, restock, and clean
up of the buffet table. Disposable plates, napkins, and utensils
are included in the meal price. If a drink is purchased from us
we will also provide the appropriate disposable cup. Standard
pricing does not include guest table service for clearing plates,
refilling drinks, etc. Due to fluctuating food costs, we are
unable to guarantee your buffet prices for more than 90 days prior
to your event. |
| Are Taxes and Gratuities added to the Final Bill? |
The final bill is subject to 7%
(Iowa and Story Co.) sales taxes. Tax exempt entities need to provide
us a tax exempt certificate or number PRIOR to your event. Gratuities are
never required but are graciously accepted by the staff. |
How is Payment
For Services to be Made? |
Payment is due on the day of your
event unless other arrangements have been made. We accept Cash,
Personal Check, and all Major Credit Cards. We also accept purchase orders
or vouchers or can set up a ONE TIME billing for approved business
groups. The final bill amount is determined by your 48 hour guarantee
number or the number of guests served, whichever is greater. |
| What is the Booking Party responsible to Provide? |
You are responsible for providing us
with TWO (2) EIGHT FOOT TABLES FOR THE BUFFET. If we do not have
two eight foot tables available for use your display and ease of service
will be reduced. We will also need additional tables if we are serving
beverages or desserts. It is helpful if you position the tables so that
your guests can easily pass through the line. This will help us to restock
the buffet more easily and quickly. Please allow 5 to 6 feet from any wall
or other obstruction on both sides of the buffet table. |
| How Long before Our Event do You need to Setup? |
Depending on the size of your group and the
distance from our vehicle to the buffet line it will take 15 to 30 minutes
to set up your buffet. We do ask that you provide us drive up accessibility
if at all possible. If there are any obstruction such as stairs or
substantial walking distance please let us know, this will significantly
increase our set up time. We do not need any kitchen appliances or
electrical outlets. |
| How are Your Buffets Displayed? |
We will provide table covers for the buffet
table or you are free to use your own. We have White, Ivory, Navy Blue,
Sage Green, Maroon, Red, Lilac, Red and White Checkered or Hunter Green
Table Linens to choose from. We also have White table skirts available upon
request. We have White, Maroon, Rose, or Teal Disposable Napkins. For
weddings and holiday parties we provide simple table decorations to accent
the buffet. We can decorate your buffet for other occasions upon request
although an additional charge may apply. Enhanced Buffet Display is also
available for an additional fee. We use decorative trays and bowls
for cold foods and steam chaffing dishes for the hot foods. Under no
circumstances do we allow food not prepared and provided by Hickory Park
to be displayed with our buffets nor do we provide serving utensils or
serving ware for food not prepared by us. |
| How are Your Buffets Served? |
All Buffets are self-serve. Your guests will
serve themselves one time through. Once all of the guests have been served
they are welcome to return for second helpings. To insure you the best
possible service it is very important that you let us know if there are any
special circumstances that will effect buffet service. This includes a
meeting before or after the meal or group members eating in shifts. |
| Is Guest Table Service Provided? |
In order to keep our prices reasonable, plate
clearing is not included in the price of the buffet. However we will gladly
provide this service for an additional 15% Gratuity. |
| Do You Maintain and Restock the Buffet? |
If restocking is required or if you request it
we are happy to stay and service the buffet. If restock of items is not
required we will set up a time with you and come back and clean up the
buffet. This is usually the case with groups of 60 or smaller. |
| For How Long will the Food be Served? |
All buffets are limited to 1 1/2 hours
service unless prior arrangements have been made. Because of strict food
safety regulations we cannot leave a buffet up any longer than 1 1/2 hours.
If you have questions regarding this policy we will be happy to put you in
touch with our regulating authority. |
| What Happens if We Have More Guests than Antcipated?
|
For groups of 75 or more, we are prepared to
serve an additional 10% or 20 people, which ever is less. We ask that you
do not figure this amount into your calculations when you place your order.
Please guarantee the actual number of guests you are expecting. If we are
in Ames and your guest count exceeds the amount of food available or your
group consumption exceeds the amount of food allotted for your event, you
may request that additional food be brought to the site. A $50.00 charge
plus the cost of the extra food will be added to your final bill. |
| Can We Keep any Leftover Food from the Buffet? |
We will provide containers and package any
remaining food left on the buffet table as long as the booking party
has immediate refrigeration available. If immediate refrigeration is not
available we cannot leave food products but you are welcome to pick up any
leftovers at Hickory Park. All leftovers must be picked up within 24 hours
or they will be discarded. |
| Are There Additional Charges for Travel or Delivery? |
In general we do not charge a delivery fee.
However we do have sales minimums to cater to certain locations. Please ask
us for our travel restrictions and minimums. |
