Welcome! It is the mission of Bobcat Catering to provide our customers with outstanding service and innovative culinary creations. To achieve this goal, we source locally whenever possible, track current culinary trends and constantly pursue educational opportunities to keep our service updated.

Important Dining Update!

Effective Monday, October 18, 2021, Bates community groups who book space in meeting rooms in Commons (201, 221/222, 226 and 225) may take advantage of the through the line catering option. This option allows meeting participants to make meal selections in Commons and return to their reserved space to eat. Meals cannot be consumed in the Commons dining room. Please remember that masks must be worn at all times while in the building except when seated and eating.

Groups interested in the through the line option must book space in Commons through EMS and receive approval from Bobcat Catering at bobcatcatering@groups.bates.edu. Please be sure to include an account number and number of individuals attending when you reach out to Bobcat Catering.

Information about how faculty and staff can order catering or to-go meals for college sponsored meetings and events can be found on the following catering pages.

Campus Update Reminder

Until further notice, campus visitors are not permitted in campus buildings. Additionally, except in rare circumstances, events on campus must be limited to students, faculty, and staff. More information on events is available here and the external vendor policy is available here.

Events for Bates Community Only (Students, Faculty, and Staff):

Bates students, faculty and staff may elect to sponsor college approved events for the Bates Community  under the following conditions:

• All guests must be members of the Bates Community (faculty, staff or student)
• Whenever possible, events, no matter the size, should take place in outdoor spaces
  • Two tents will be available from August 20, 2021 through November 1, 2021 and can be reserved through EMS
• Attendance records are required for all events and sponsors are encouraged to use EventBrite for this purpose
• Attendees must follow the current college COVID policies
• One sanitizing station per 50 people must be available in the event space as well as disposable face coverings
• Events being held in external locations must have access control barriers
• Dances will not be held until further notice

Bobcat Catering will reopen on August 9, 2021. Requests will be approved on a first-come first-served basis and will be dependent on operational capacity. Remember that catering requests require a seven working day notice and events requesting alcohol service require a fourteen working day notice. Please forward all requests to Bobcatcatering@groups.bates.edu.

This guide was developed to assist in event planning and includes most often requested items and important ordering/policy information. Should you have a specific need, or dietary concern that is not covered on this page, please contact Donald Desrosiers, Catering Manager at (207)786-6298 or Bobcatcatering@groups.bates.edu.