FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
EVENTS
WHAT TYPES OF EVENTS DO YOU CATER?
From boardroom lunches to lavish weddings, backyard birthday bashes to grand opening ceremonies, we cater everything. Anywhere. Anyhow. On a boat, in a barn, at a rustic campsite — we love an adventure.
DO YOU CATER SMALL PARTIES?
Yes, indeed. If you’re looking for grazing platters, check out Chowgirls By-the-Box for easy online ordering. Have something more elaborate in mind, like a dinner party? Try Chowgirls Classic for our most popular offerings, or Chowgirls Concepts for customized menus, experiences, and service.
WILL YOU HOLD MY PREFERRED EVENT DATE?
To confirm your event on our calendar, we require a deposit and signed contract. Your Event Specialist will guide you through the steps.
DO YOU DELIVER ON WEEKENDS?
You bet!
DO YOU TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE TWIN CITIES?
We sure do! Travel fees and accommodations apply. Ask your Event Specialist for more details.
CAN I PICK UP THE FOOD FOR MY EVENT?
Maybe. Since not everything we make is ideal for pick-up, your menu may be limited. But your Event Specialist will help you come up with the best solution.
FOOD
CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS?
Absolutely. We've long specialized in offering vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free menu selections. As you explore our menus, you’ll see dietary notations throughout.
Beyond those notations, we understand that people may have requests for cultural considerations, allergens, and more. Let us know what your guests' needs are and we'll share what we can do. We take special care with allergens, though we cannot guarantee an environment that is entirely allergen-free.
DO YOU TAKE REQUESTS? I'D LIKE TO FEATURE A FAMILY RECIPE AT MY WEDDING.
You betcha! If you want to venture beyond our Chowgirls Classic menus with customized dishes, we'll accommodate your special request through our Chowgirls Concepts line. The sky's the limit with this catering service, as we personalize every detail to your specification.
ARE ALL OF YOUR INGREDIENTS LOCAL AND ORGANIC?
On average, 50% of our ingredients are sourced locally or regionally. We source organic as well, using guidelines from the Environmental Working Group to prioritize our requirements for pesticide-free produce. We also support farmers who use organic practices, though they may not be certified organic.
CAN I TASTE YOUR FOOD BEFORE I BOOK MY EVENT?
Schedule a private tasting! Once you're connected with an Event Specialist, they'll discuss booking details and minimums with you, and then you can set up a time to sample a seasonal menu ahead of your event.
SERVICE
DO YOU OFFER BAR SERVICE AND STAFF?
For sure! Check out our bar menus on the Cordial page, and one of our Event Specialists will be happy to schedule bartenders for your event.
HOW MANY SERVERS DO YOU SCHEDULE FOR AN EVENT?
To ensure the highest standards of service, we look at the needs of each event and consider the complexity of the menu and the venue when we schedule our staff.
AT WHICH VENUES DO YOU CATER?
We're proud to be on the preferred list of dozens of venues throughout the Twin Cities metro area. If you know of a site that's not on our list, we'd love to learn more about it.
WILL YOU HELP WITH RENTAL ORDERS?
Yes. There are a few ways to approach equipment rental. Chowgirls offers an inventory of stylish essentials like plates, flatware, and glassware. For a broader selection as well as items like linens, décor, lighting, tables, and chairs, we will refer you to one of our suggested partners.
DO YOU OFFER NO-WASTE EVENTS?
Oh yeah! We can say with confidence that Chowgirls is the most environmentally conscious caterer in town. We compost and recycle at our headquarters and on-site at events. We love partnering with clients who share our sustainability values.
MONEY, HONEY
WHAT DOES DELIVERY COST?
Your delivery fee will be based on the menu items ordered and the location of your gathering. Once your Event Specialist knows those details, they will calculate it for you.
WHAT IS THE OPERATIONS CHARGE? IS IT A TIP OR GRATUITY?
Good question. It's different from gratuity, and is an industry standard in catering. This fee helps cover the cost of the operations, such as warehouse staff, vehicle insurance, and administrative expenses — the many moving parts necessary to facilitate the complex logistics of catering.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP?
This is totally at your discretion. Generally, our clients offer a percentage of the food and beverage total or $50 – $200 per staff person working an event. Your Event Specialist can tell you how many team members to expect on site.
CAN I PAY ELECTRONICALLY?
Yes. When it's time to pay your bill, your Event Specialist will provide you with more information.
DO YOU HAVE A PROCESSING FEE FOR CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS?
Yes, we have a 3.5% processing fee on all credit card transactions for catering orders. This does not apply to online ordering through By-the-Box.
MORE QUESTIONS?
Submit an inquiry form and one of our dedicated Event Specialists will guide you through the planning process.