Question 1

Do you serve in North Idaho?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our company is based in Post Falls, Idaho.  We go about 2 hours in any direction, serving larger areas such as Sandpoint, Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Rathdrum, and Post Falls.We also frequent areas such Sagle, Cocolalla, Worley, Princeton, Moscow, Saint Maries, Cataldo, Kingston, Harrison, Dover Bay, Ponderay, and occasionally Bonners Ferry.

Question 2

Do you serve in Eastern Washington?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our company is based in Post Falls, Idaho.  We go about 2 hours in any direction, serving larger areas such as Spokane and Spokane Valley.We also frequent areas such Deer Park, Otis Orchards, Newport, Liberty Lake, Clayton, Colville, Garfield, Spangle, and Mead.

Question 3

How far will you travel?

Accepted Answer

We will travel up to 2 hours in any direction.  Additional travel fees apply to any job over 30 minutes away.

Question 4

Do you require a deposit?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we require a non-refundable 30% booking fee based on your best estimated headcount and menu selection.  This booking fee does get applied to your final invoice.In addition to the booking fee, we require a signed contract and a card on file to secure the date.

Question 5

Do you charge a delivery or travel fee?

Accepted Answer

2026 Events:All deliveries incur a delivery fee:30 Minutes Away = $3530-60 Minutes Away = $7060-90 Minutes Away = $15090-120 Minutes Away = $200All served events incur a travel fee after 1 hour:60-90 Minutes Away = $15090-120 Minutes Away = $2002027 Events:All deliveries over 30 minutes away incur a delivery fee:30-60 Minutes Away = $7060-90 Minutes Away = $15090-120 Minutes Away = $200All served events incur a travel fee after 1 hour:60-90 Minutes Away = $15090-120 Minutes Away = $200

Question 6

When do you need to know final details?

Accepted Answer

For catering, we like to confirm your final details about 2.5 weeks before the scheduled event date.  That way we can confirm headcount, timeline, and menu selection.  Your final payment and final contract will then be issued, both of which are due 1 week before the event.

Question 7

What forms of payment do you take?

Accepted Answer

We accept cash, check, or credit/debit card.  All customers will be sent an invoice link in which they can pay online with a card, or mail/deliver cash or check to us in Post Falls.If delivering funds, we have a locking drop box with envelopes outside of our office door.

Question 8

Do you limit headcount reductions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do limit headcount reductions by no more than 20% of your original headcount made at booking.  For example, if you book an event for 100 people, the lowest headcount you could drop it to is 80 people.We've had a recent influx of jobs dropping their headcount significantly, which alters our planning and availability for other job inquiries.  In the event your headcount does decrease by more than 20%, you may either pay for the extra food (i.e., if your minimum is 80 and you have 70, you pay and receive 10 extra servings of food) or pay a penalty of the difference between your real headcount and your minimum (i.e., you would pay for 70 guests, and pay a fee for the difference of 10 people, without receiving the extra food).

Question 9

Do you price per person?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we charge a flat per person price for each event.  This number does not change based on how many people are booked.

Question 10

Do you require gratuity?

Accepted Answer

No, we believe gratuity should be earned and within your budget.Gratuity is always appreciated but never expected.  All gratuities are pooled between all non-owner employees who helped with the job (BBQ staff, prep cooks, and those who served you).

Question 11

What do you do with the leftovers?

Accepted Answer

We package all leftovers in plastic bags and aluminum trays depending on how much is left.  All leftovers are left with the client.

Question 12

What is included in your pick-up option?

Accepted Answer

For catering orders that are picked-up in Post Falls, we simply provide the food in half or full size aluminum trays and the condiments.Disposable plates, napkins, silverware, and serving utensils are included upon request.Disposable chafing sets (events under 40), rental chafing sets, and rental hot boxes are available upon request for an additional fee. We will give you instructions on how to set these up.

Question 13

What is included in your delivery option?

Accepted Answer

Our delivered catering options are geared towards events between 30-60 guests, but that's not a hard limit.When delivering, we bring the food in half or full size aluminum trays, along with condiments (BBQ Sauce, Dressing, Butter, etc.) and set it out in your designated serving area.  Disposable serving utensils are included upon request.Disposable chafing sets (events under 40), rental chafing sets, and rental hot boxes are available upon request for an additional fee.  We will set these items up for you if purchased.

Question 14

What is the attended buffet add-on?

Accepted Answer

New for 2027 Events:Our attended buffet add-on is a great option to keep your event budget-friendly!  For any event over 30, you pay the delivery price per person and a flat $250 fee for the add-on service.This service includes 2 staff members who set up 2 6ft tables with black linens, the chafing sets, and the food.  Your guests will then be allowed to serve themselves in the buffet line, either 1 or 2 sided.  Our staff will be there to swap trays, clean up spills, and answer any questions about the food.  Once your guests have eaten (we typically leave the buffet open for 1 hour), we'll break down the space, package up the leftovers (leaving them with you!) and head out for the evening.Please note, we do not guarantee portions with this option.

Question 15

What is the served buffet option?

Accepted Answer

Our served buffet is definitely our most popular option, and our most comprehensive option.We arrive 20-30 minutes prior to when you wish to eat with a team to set-up our 2 6ft tables with black linens, our chafing sets, and the food.  Then, you and your guests come down the line where we serve you each menu item for approximately 1 hour - which is typically more than enough time for up to 300 guests to eat firsts, seconds, and sometimes thirds! We then package up the food, leaving you with the leftovers and take away all of our equipment.Disposable plates, napkins, and silverware are included upon request.New in 2027: For 2027 events, up to 1 hour of bussing is included for an elevated, more hands-off experience.

Question 16

Is bussing included?

Accepted Answer

New for 2027 Events:Up to 1 hour of bussing is now included in all of our served buffet events.  Our staff will begin bussing as the serving line slows down, and work to clear your real dishware or disposables.  We do not bus during toasts.If our hour is up and not all dishes are cleared due to toasts, access, etc., our staff is not obligated to stay.  For additional bussing services throughout the evening, please reach out to Centennial Event Staffing for separate staffers.

Question 17

Do you offer tastings?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We offer monthly tastings that though are open to everyone, they are specially designed with engaged couples in mind, this is your chance to sample our mouthwatering barbecue and see why we're a favorite for weddings and special events. Tasting tickets are $5 each and are held monthly - giving you a delicious way to start planning your big day. Come taste the difference and let us bring excellence to your event!  And be prepared for a whole meal and tasty drinks.Our tastings now feature some of our favorite local vendors that we partner with regularly.  Each tasting has a variety of different vendors who would love to chat with you.  They'll be coming around to chat with you while you're tasting our food, and they may have booths set-up to for you to look at!

Question 18

Do you have headcount minimums?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do, and they vary on day of the week and job type:Delivery or Pick-Up:Wednesday-Saturday: 30-Person MinimumSunday-Tuesday: 50-Person MinimumAttended Buffet:Wednesday-Saturday: 30-Person MinimumSunday-Tuesday: 50-Person MinimumServed Buffet:60-Person Minimum

Question 19

How soon in advance should I place my order for catering?

Accepted Answer

We also recommend booking your catering sooner rather than later.  Our schedule fills up fast, especially for prime summer dates and holiday parties.However, pending our availability, jobs can be booked with a 48-hour notice.  Always reach out and ask - the answer is always no if you never try!

Question 20

Do you cater every day?

Accepted Answer

With the exception of a few holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day - we are open to cater every day of the week.Do note that we have a 50-person minimum for all Sunday-Tuesday jobs.

Question 21

Does everyone have to eat the same menu items?

Accepted Answer

We typically allow up to 2 meats, 2 sides, 1 salad, and 1 bread option for every catering job.  A 3rd meat and/or side may be allowed given other logistics for the day and event.Your guests get to eat from those selected items.  We do not allow custom orders per guest.

Question 22

Can I get half of one item, and half of another?

Accepted Answer

Per company policy, we make enough of each item for everyone to have some of everything!Unfortunately, it looks poorly on us if we were to make a smaller portion of an item and it were to run out.  So to avoid this, we don't offer any mixed or reduced portions.

Question 23

Do you offer any hot holding equipment?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  All of our attended buffet catering events and our served buffet catering events include chafing sets that our team will set-up, monitor, and clean-up.For events without our staff present, we can provide rental chafing sets ($25 each) as well as disposable chafing sets ($20 each) for purchase.  We also offer insulated hot-boxes that can fit 4 or 6 trays of food ($35/$45) with an insulated hot pack.All rental items incur a 10% maintenance waiver and sales tax, depending on state.  All rental items need to be cleaned and returned per the specified date in the contract (typically within 2-3 days), to avoid any additional fees.

Question 24

Do you include plates, napkins, and silverware?

Accepted Answer

Disposable plates, napkins, and silverware are included upon request for all deliveries, pick-ups and buffets.  Disposable serving utensils are also included for any deliveries or pick-ups, if desired.We can use provided rental ware as well for our buffets, but sourcing and delivery are the responsibility of the client.Some odd jobs may be charged an additional $1/person for disposables

Question 25

What type of events do you cater?

Accepted Answer

We cater all types of events! We specialize in larger events of 100+ guests, but will happy cater any event with 30 guests or more.  Events include weddings, funerals, fundraisers, birthday parties, anniversaries, corporate functions, holiday parties, staff appreciation, and so much more!

Question 26

How long do you stay at an event that you're attending or serving?

Accepted Answer

For deliveries, we simply stay as long as it takes us to set-up equipment and the food, which is usually less than 20 minutes.For attended buffets, we arrive 20-30 minutes prior to when you're ready to eat and then man the buffet for about 1 hour, giving your guests time to get firsts, seconds, and sometimes thirds.  We then pack up and are done in about 20 minutes, for a total of up to 2 hours on-site.For our served buffets, we arrive 20-30 minutes prior to when you're ready to eat and then serve the buffet for about 1 hour, giving your guests time to get firsts, seconds, and sometimes thirds.  For 2026 events, we then pack up and are done in about 20 minutes, for a total of up to 2 hours on-site  For 2027 events, we offer up to 1 hour of bussing that may overlap with the tail end of the served buffet.  With this added time, we may be on site for up to 3 hours.

Frequently asked questions