Frequently Asked Catering Questions

Pricing & Payments

  • Yes, our menu includes several options that may come with an additional charge, but they are bundled as part of a package. This allows us to offer a variety of options while maintaining the flexibility to meet your specific needs.

  • Pollen & Platter has a minimum order of $800 for all events. Additionally, there is a $1,000 minimum order (subtotal before service charges and tax) for free delivery. Orders below this amount will incur an additional delivery fee to cover transportation and logistics.

  • We require a 25% deposit to secure your event date. This deposit holds your date but doesn't lock you into specific menu choices or guest count. Final menu selections and guest count must be confirmed 21 days before your event, at which time the remaining balance is due. We process payments through Square, which accepts all major credit cards and ACH transfers.

Menu & Food Services

  • Yes, a complimentary tasting is provided for couples with a signed contract and deposit. For those who haven't signed a contract, the tasting fee is $200 for up to 4 guests, which will be credited to your final invoice if you decide to book with us. Please note that for events at or near the minimum order requirement, the tasting fee will still apply, even if you book, to cover the cost of preparation. Tastings are conducted privately and include menu items from your proposal. Contact us to start planning your event!

  • Absolutely. We offer a variety of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options on our menu. Please inform us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions during menu planning. As our catering is done offsite, we do not have access to a kitchen once we leave our location and travel to you, so we don't carry additional food beyond what is listed on your menu.

  • Our facility is not allergen-free. All of our menu items are prepared in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, soy, milk, eggs, and wheat. While we take every precaution to minimize the risk of cross-contamination, we cannot guarantee that any of our products are safe for individuals with severe allergies to these ingredients.

  • We maintain set menu options to ensure consistent quality and efficient service. Our carefully curated menu selections have been refined to provide the best possible experience for our clients. While we don't offer customization, we do offer a variety of options to suit different tastes and dietary requirements.

  • Yes, we adjust our vegetable selections throughout the year based on seasonal availability. We source as many ingredients as possible from our own Twisted Radish Farms and supplement with other local suppliers to ensure the freshest ingredients year-round. While our core menu remains consistent, the specific vegetables in our roasted vegetable dishes may vary by season.

Beverage Services

  • We offer two tiers of beverage service:

    1. In-house beverages:

      • Hydration elixirs

      • Non-alcoholic refreshments

    2. Full Bar Service:

      • For cocktails, mocktails, beer, and wine service, we partner exclusively with our sister company, Alfred Mixology, to provide professional bartending services.

Service Area & Logistics

  • We typically service events within a 1.5-hour radius of our base in Madison. If your event is outside this area, please contact us for more information, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Additional travel fees may apply.

  • We train all our staff in-house to ensure they are knowledgeable and well-prepared to serve at your event. We are proud to pay our employees above minimum wage, as we believe in creating good-paying jobs and taking care of our dedicated staff. This ensures they are motivated and committed to making your event memorable.

Setup & Cleanup

  • The client, venue, or a designated third party (such as a wedding planner) is responsible for all aspects of setup, teardown, and garbage disposal for the event. This includes arranging tables, chairs, decorations, and managing all waste and garbage. Pollen & Platter does not handle any rentals, cleaning, or removal of any items not provided by us. We will discard food waste in the provided trash bins, but the client is responsible for the removal of all trash from the event site. If trash removal services are required, an additional $500 will be added to the bill, even if this requirement is communicated at the event.

Policies & Procedures

  • If the event exceeds the contracted time due to client requests or changes made on the day of the event (such as extending dinner service), a fee of $300 for every 15 minutes will be charged. This fee ensures adherence to the agreed schedule and compensates for the additional time and resources required. For cancellations due to severe or inclement weather, a written notification must be submitted prior to the scheduled event. Any payments made up to that point are not eligible for a refund and cannot be used towards future events. Pollen & Platter will not charge for delays caused by our own team or service. Clients, the venue, a designated third party, or a wedding planner are responsible for managing the event schedule and informing Pollen & Platter of any changes.

  • Can I take leftover food from the event? Due to concerns related to the safety of the food after it leaves our premises, venue, and/or our control, clients are not permitted to take leftovers from events. This policy ensures the highest standards of food safety and quality.

  • Yes, Pollen & Platter is fully licensed and insured. We maintain all necessary certifications and insurance coverage to operate safely and professionally in the food service industry.