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Events & Conference Services
Food

Catering

Delicious, convenient, and professionally prepared catering for meetings, receptions, and signature campus events.

Catering for Every Occasion

ECS partners with Gourmet Dining Services (GDS) to provide high-quality catering for meetings, conferences, receptions, and major campus events. Whether you need simple refreshments or a full banquet, GDS offers menus and service styles that fit events of any size.

What Sets GDS Apart

GDS offers reliable, full-service catering with menus crafted for events of every size. From plated dinners to casual receptions, their chefs and event team provide consistent quality, diverse menu options, and dependable execution that clients across Rutgers–Newark trust.

Table set

Service Styles

Choose the catering approach that best matches your event.

  • Full-service catering with attendants, buffet equipment, china, and linens
  • Buffet or reception service for flexible, self-guided dining
  • Drop-off catering delivered ready to serve
  • Grab & Go packages for quick meetings or breakout sessions
Food

Catering Services

Our catering partners make it easy to plan and order food service for your event. Review the details below to get started.

  • Place your catering order through GDS’s online platform, E-Cater. Once submitted, their team will follow up to confirm details and support your planning.

    How to Order with E-Cater

    Place Your Catering Order

  • GDS provides staffed buffets, drop-off service, plated meals, and Grab & Go menus to support events ranging from small departmental gatherings to large celebrations.

    How to Order with E-Cater

    Place Your Catering Order

  • GDS offers a wide range of accommodations including vegetarian, vegan, Halal, Kosher-style, gluten-free, nut-free, and allergy-conscious menu options. Speak with a GDS representative to tailor your order to your guests’ needs.

    How to Order with E-Cater

    Place Your Catering Order

  • Depending on your service style, GDS can provide attendants, buffet equipment, linens, china, beverage service, and other event essentials. Your GDS representative will confirm what is included with your order and what requires additional arrangements.

    How to Order with E-Cater

    Place Your Catering Order

  • From plated entrées and themed buffets to boxed lunches and grab-and-go selections, GDS offers menu packages for events of every size. Contact GDS for seasonal offerings, specialty menus, and custom packages.

    How to Order with E-Cater

    Place Your Catering Order

  • All food served in the Paul Robeson Campus Center must be provided by Gourmet Dining Services (GDS). Orders must be placed at least 72-hours in advance. Note: Groups found to be abusing this time restriction to get around catering rules will face loss of reservation privileges. 

    Other ECS-managed spaces may use GDS or an approved external vendor, based on event needs and location. Alcohol service must follow Rutgers and State of New Jersey regulations.

    Please contact our office for our Approved Caterers List. If you would like to have a vendor added to this list, please contact us at events@newark.rutgers.edu.

    Contact ECS For More Info

Ready to Place a Catering Order?

Submit your request online and a GDS representative will follow up to confirm details and support your planning.