Catering

Sharing a meal is one of the simplest and most effective ways to bring people together. At Cooper Street Hospitality, we are here to help elevate your event with exceptional food and service. From a serviceable business lunch to a customized menu designed for a special occasion, our team is committed to providing seamless catering experience and helping make every event a success.

A Quick Overview

The first step in planning a catered event is securing a location through the campus reservation process. Once your space has been confirmed, you can begin coordinating catering services.

We offer a wide range of menu solutions to serve your various event needs. Our Everyday Catering and Student Catering Pick Up menus can be viewed HERE. Only students and student organizations may use the Student Catering Pick-Up menus. Everyday Catering menus and custom menus by request are available to students, student organizations, and all other customers.

The prices shown in CaterTrax include buffet linens, buffet service ware and eco-friendly disposable flatware. If you would prefer China services, upgraded disposables, specialty guest table linens, or to discuss dedicated catering attendants we are happy to provide those at an additional fee. Use the Custom Menu Request box to note upgrade and/or customize your menu request. To ensure the best selection and service, please plan to submit catering requests at least 10 business days in advance; or three weeks for custom menus and large-scale events. Final counts, changes, cancellations without accountability charges: minimum 5 business days prior to event, by 3pm.

For orders placed within 10 business days, we will do our very best to accommodate all requests, though please note that we might need to make substitutions or changes if certain items are not immediately available. To help manage high-volume periods, some dates may appear temporarily unavailable in the online system. If your desired date is blocked, please contact cooperstreetcatering@aramark.com.

Ready to start planning? Read on to discover everything you need to know about the catering process, menu options, and ways to make your event a success.

• 10 business days in advance; or three weeks for custom menus and large-scale events.
• Final Counts, Changes, Cancellations without penalty: minimum 5 business days prior to event, by 3pm
• Late fee will apply for orders made under a minimum of 3 business days prior to event

There are several periods throughout the year when event demand is at its highest. These peak times include the week leading up to the start of the semester through the second week of classes, the months of September and October, and April and May. During these high-volume periods, Cooper Street Hospitality may manage up to 18-20 catering events per day.  To ensure we can accommodate your event and provide the highest level of service, all catering orders during these peak periods must be placed at least 14 days in advance. In addition, all menu selections, guest counts, and event details must be finalized no later than five (5) business days prior to the event date.

Beginning in 2026–2027, pizza delivery through catering will no longer be available. During peak periods, pizza deliveries place a significant demand on staffing resources that are needed to support our Scarlet Raptor Dining program and larger-scale catered events. Don't worry—pizza will still be available! Customers may place pizza orders for pickup at the Scarlet Food Court, providing a convenient and budget-friendly option while allowing our team to focus on delivering the highest level of service across campus. We have also added an all-inclusive pizza party buffet option to CaterTrax that features pizza, salads, desserts and beverages.

To provide greater flexibility for departments and student organizations, food purchases under $250 will be permitted throughout campus, including in the Campus Center. When making these purchases, please work with your Business Manager, Student Involvement, or other appropriate University offices to ensure compliance with Rutgers purchasing, risk management, and event policies.

We're excited to introduce a new option for student groups! Student organizations can now order cases of packaged items at cost through Cooper Street Hospitality. Whether supporting a small meeting or planning a larger program, organizations can place orders directly through CaterTrax, making it simple to provide refreshments while maximizing event budgets and taking advantage of great value on larger orders.

To help ensure quality service, proper staffing, and the best possible food pricing, catering orders should be submitted as far in advance as possible. Beginning in 2026–2027, orders placed within three (3) business days of the event date will automatically incur a 15% late-order fee, provided we are able to accommodate the request.

This fee reflects the additional costs associated with last-minute orders, including expedited food purchasing, delivery charges from suppliers, schedule adjustments, and additional staffing needs. Planning ahead helps us secure the best pricing, minimize waste, and ensure that your event receives the attention it deserves.

• Cancellations for events with five (5) or more guests must be submitted at least three (3) business days prior to the event date to avoid cancellation charges.
• Cooper Street Hospitality will make every reasonable effort to mitigate costs associated with a cancellation, including repurposing prepared food for other events when possible.
• However, if costs cannot be recovered or avoided, the client will be responsible for any expenses incurred related to the cancelled event.

To cancel a catering order, log in to CaterTrax, locate your order, and select Request Change. In the text box, indicate that you are requesting to cancel the order. Because CaterTrax does not include a Cancel Order button, you must also send an email confirming your cancellation request to CooperStreetCatering@aramark.com.

All final changes must be approved by our office at least 5 business days of notice before your event. Should your guest count decrease within the 5 business days, charges based on the original count could apply. A 15% charge on added items will be applied when a client chooses to increase counts on food and/or beverage within (3) business days of the event, time could be extended based on size of the event. If the add-on request is made after the food and beverage has been set up and/or delivered, an additional $25.00 delivery fee could apply.

Deliveries to NON-University buildings will start at $50.00. Deliveries beyond these parameters, re-deliveries, add-on deliveries or those made on weekends or after hours, which require the catering team to set up additional equipment or that require cleaning up after your event may be subject to additional fees. Simple Takeaways orders are pickup services and can be picked up at scheduled times from the Raptor Dining Hall, a phone number will be provided upon confirmation of order. Please see below for a full list of our additional delivery policies.

For all delivery locations, we will need to know:

•  Contact name & phone number
• Event start and end time
• Where to enter the building, i.e. through the front door, loading dock, etc.
• Are there stairs? Elevators?
• Is a keycard or additional security clearance needed?
• Provide COA string at the time ordering

To better serve our clients and operate in an efficient manner, we have set guest count quantity minimums on all catering packages (see CaterTrax link here). If you are considering a package, but your guest count is less than the order minimum, please reach out directly to us and we can customize that menu to match your smaller guest count.

Cooper Street Hospitality/Aramark is the University's exclusive catering provider. A waiver process exists; however, exceptions are rare and require prior written approval from the Events Office.

Waiver requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and will be considered based on whether Cooper Street Hospitality/Aramark can meet the event's needs through its in-house culinary team or its extensive network of chefs and culinary partners throughout the Delaware Valley region.

To Request a Waiver

1. Complete a Catering Waiver Request Form
   • Submit your request at least three (3) weeks prior to the event date.
   • Provide detailed justification explaining why an exception is being requested.

Important Information

• Approval of a waiver is not guaranteed and will only be considered when Cooper Street Hospitality/Aramark is unable to reasonably accommodate the event's specific catering needs.
• All waiver requests must receive written approval from the Events Office before any arrangements are made with an outside caterer.
• If a waiver is approved, the outside caterer is responsible for providing all food service equipment, supplies, and service items necessary to support the event, including serving utensils, chafing dishes, Sterno, buffet equipment, table linens, and any other required catering items. Cooper Street Hospitality will not provide equipment, supplies, or service items for events serviced by an external caterer.
• The outside caterer must also comply with all Rutgers University policies and procedures, including insurance requirements, health regulations, and any additional requirements established by the Events Office.

Please let us know as early as possible if any of your guests require specialty diet items. Our talented culinary team will be more than happy to review the needs of the guests and accommodate them when possible. If you have specific religious or cultural accommodations, submit your catering request in Catertrax, noting these accommodations in the Event Details section. 

Note: For severe allergies with potentially anaphylactic reactions, we cannot guarantee full omission of the offending ingredient. This is due to the physical constraints of our own kitchen and that of our specialist suppliers where the ingredients may be present within the production environment.

The staffing levels listed are minimum requirements and may be adjusted based on the specific needs of your event. Additional staffing may be required for events held outside normal operating hours, late-night events, or when the University is closed.  Additional fees may also apply depending on the nature of the catering service and event setup. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Outdoor events requiring tents, special equipment, or extensive setup
• Food truck operations
• Fire safety inspections or permits
• Other event-specific operational or safety requirements

Staffing and associated fees will be evaluated and determined based on the final event details to ensure compliance with University policies and safety regulations.

Staffing Rates

* Chef Attendants are required for all action stations and passed hors d'oeuvres service.

Here is Aramark’s Alcohol Guidelines. Please note that there are special considerations and guidelines for serving alcohol on the Rutgers University–Camden campus. For additional information or assistance, please contact the Events Office at reserve@camden.rutgers.edu.

Catering Alcohol Service Guidelines

This guideline outlines the standards, requirements, and responsibilities governing the service of alcoholic beverages at catered events. It ensures compliance with Aramark Policy, local, state and federal law, institutional expectations, and responsible service practices. These guidelines are subject to change to comply with changes in local, state and federal laws.

1. Alcohol Service Authorization

All alcohol service must be approved in advance through the designated client representative and catering office. Events must comply with all local and state liquor laws as well as institutional and Cooper Street Hospitality policies. Alcohol may only be served at approved locations and within permitted service hours to guests 21+ with a valid ID.

2. Licensing & Compliance

All alcoholic beverages must be procured through Cooper Street Hospitality. No outside alcohol is permitted unless explicitly authorized in writing and coordinated with Cooper Street Hospitality in accordance with the campus liquor license. Cooper Street Hospitality reserves the right to refuse service if compliance standards are not met.

3. Service Standards

Alcohol will only be served by trained staff with a current and valid alcohol server certification to guest 21+ years old. A valid state-issued ID, US Passport or Military ID will be required for any guest appearing under 30 years old. Staff will monitor consumption and may refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated. Self-service alcohol stations are not permitted.

4. Event Requirements

Alcohol service is contingent upon the provision of food at the event and availability of non-alcoholic beverages. To ensure a safe event, limitations may be imposed which may include per transaction serving limits, restricted alcohol types, portion limits, and controlled service durations. Alcohol service will typically end prior to the conclusion of the event in coordination with the event host.

A designated event host must be present and responsible for guest conduct and adherence to all policies.

5. Security & Risk Management

Additional security personnel may be required at events where alcohol is served based on event size, type, or risk factors. Alcohol service may be modified or discontinued at any time due to safety concerns.

6. Liability & Responsibility

Cooper Street Hospitality, as the provider is responsible for lawful service and staff compliance.

7. Pricing & Billing

Alcohol service may be billed based on consumption, per-person packages, or service fees (gratuity is not included and prohibited). All applicable taxes, permits, and service charges will be outlined in the event contract.

8. Cancellation & Changes

Changes to alcohol service must be made within established catering timelines. Late changes may be subject to additional fees or availability restrictions.

9. Enforcement

Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in termination of alcohol service, additional fees, or restriction of future events.

Meal vouchers provide a flexible dining option for campus guests and are ideal for visiting groups whose participants may not eat together at the same time. They are also a convenient solution for conferences or programs with individualized schedules and for guest speakers, visitors, or attendees who may arrive and depart at different times throughout the day.

Meal vouchers can be ordered and paid for through CaterTrax. Once processed, vouchers may be picked up at the Raptor Dining Hall main register.

Meal vouchers are redeemable at designated campus dining locations for the date, meal and value specified at the time of purchase. Vouchers are non-transferable, may not be exchanged for cash, and must be used by the expiration date listed on the voucher. Expired meal vouchers will not be honored or refunded. All meal voucher sales are final.

If you are looking for meal vouchers to be used throughout the semester rather than on a specific date, please reach out to us via e-mail so we can discuss options.

These vouchers are a convenient solution for treating your guests to a grande beverage of their choice during our Starbucks hours of operation.

Starbucks vouchers can be ordered and paid for through CaterTrax. Once processed, vouchers may be picked up at the Raptor Dining Hall main register on the date specified.

Food trucks can add a unique and engaging element to campus events by offering a fun atmosphere and a variety of food options. However, based on the University's experience over the past decade, hosting food trucks requires significant advance planning and coordination.

Rutgers–Camden maintains strict permitting and safety requirements for all food trucks operating on campus to ensure the well-being of the campus community. While many vendors represent that they meet all applicable requirements, there have been instances where food trucks failed Rutgers safety inspections on the day of the event and were unable to operate. In other cases, vendors have cancelled shortly before an event due to scheduling conflicts or more lucrative opportunities elsewhere. Similar challenges have been experienced with food trucks hired for large-scale events, including Commencement.

To help address these challenges, Aramark participates in a consortium that provides access to an extensive network of food truck operators throughout Camden, Philadelphia, and the greater Delaware Valley region. This network increases the likelihood of identifying a vendor that can meet your event needs and comply with University requirements.

Because of the coordination involved, food truck events require substantial lead time. Identifying and securing a food truck typically takes four to six weeks, and all selected vendors must then complete the Rutgers permitting and approval process, which generally requires an additional three weeks. For the best chance of success, departments should begin planning food truck events at least two months in advance of the desired event date.

 Please note that the use of a food truck is not guaranteed until all University approvals have been obtained and the vendor has successfully completed the required permitting and inspection processes.

Cooper Street Hospitality will require two months’ notice for a request of this nature.  Please contact us at cooperstreetcatering@aramark.com to inquire more information.

• Internal Rutgers-Camden Departments
  
  • Provide COA string at the time ordering
  • Note for Rutgers-Camden Recognized Student Organizations: This COA string was provided to you at the beginning of the year by the Office of Student Involvement. 
• External, Not Affliated with Rutgers University
  
  • Payment can be made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or check. Orders that do not have payment attached prior to the event date are subject to cancelation.  Payment in full is due 3 business days prior to the event.
• Rutgers New Brunswick/Newark
  • Payment can be made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, check or Rutgers Purchase Order. Orders that do not have payment attached prior to the event date are subject to cancelation.  Payment in full is due 3 business days prior to the event.

Due to health regulations, it is the policy of Cooper Street Catering that unused food portions from your event cannot be removed from the event site.  Any items purchased for pick up should be properly stored prior to the event and removed and disposed of by the host of the event. Drop off-style services must be properly disposed of in the event space by the customer. It is the understanding of the customer for drop off and pickup services that liability is not extended on these services.