Catering service charge?

No, it's not a tip. It's probably for delivery, rental of the equipment and pick of of the equipment afterwards.

Easy answer? Ask them.

Unfortunately no, that is the charge just to bring everything/set up. I know because my contract specifically states that this is NOT a tip and that they do not include gratuity automatically. Never hurts to ask though!!

That's not the tip, and it's pretty standard. My caterer's service charge is 22%.

Mine is 20% too - I was shocked the first time I saw it run up my quote, but it's been in every quote I've gotten. Pretty standard to add it on top of food costs. My understanding is it covers staffing and equipment costs.

Ok, that makes more sense. Thanks!

They are not providing staff for the event, and the chafing pans from what I understood we are paying 15 per for with the sternos.. which I don't see anywhere on the quote. There is also a "logistics" charge.

Are you having real plates/silverware? Our service charge went from 15% up to 20% if we switched to china instead of disposable because eventually they need cleaned. We have staff though - in your case maybe it is a tip? I would ask/re-read.

Ours was for table and linen and dinnerware set up as well as buffer set up. Your price per plate is the cost for FOOD, service charge is cost for SERVICE

My caterers service charge is 24% so yours is pretty teasonable

I'm confused why there's a service charge when they are just dropping off then. I'm assuming they plan to set up the pans. They are not supplying linens or plates. It must be for set up of buffet and placing them in the chafing dishes. Best bet is to ask them I assume... I'm fine with paying for it, I just want to know what I am paying for considering it's a decent chunk of money. Thanks everyone!

Well she already emailed me back. I had asked about an hour ago what the logistics charge was and she explained it was for set up of chafing racks. I'll have to shoot her another email about the service charge. I'm assuming it's possibly the delivery.. that's the only thing I can think of unless it's for staff, which I had never expressed needing but maybe she assumed? I would think staffing would be more then the 20% quoted though.

Our venue/caterer out right told us the service charge was the tip. So I'd suggest asking

The way my caterer explained it, the service charge covers the chafing dishes, serving utensils, etc, not service as in the servers themselves. they have a seperate line on the quote. our caterer specifically told us that the service charge is not a tip.

I would ask what it covers, since it seems it varies from caterer to caterer

Ours charges a 22% service fee and she said that is gratuity, but I contacted other caterers that it wasn't included. Definitely ask.