Frequently Asked catering questions

There is A LOT of information here! Please take your time and see why CVC is the right choice for your event! 

What separates us from other caterers? 

We offer the unique ability to prepare extraordinary food at YOUR location! All food is prepared hot and fresh moments before eating. With us, you get excellent fresh food that hasn't been pre-cooked and held elsewhere and transported in by held hot/cold. We are able to provide delicious food quickly and professionally to serve the masses so you can enjoy yourself. 

What does our company do best? 

We specialize in catering to corporate style events such as picnics, luncheons, functions or other large events, but that's not all!  We also excel in birthday parties, reunions, picnics or other custom events.We do our best to meet your requests. All of our commercial equipment is carnival, fair, festival, BBQ and/or food truck themed.

Where are you located? What are your business hours?

Our address is Bedford, Pennsylvania.  4729 Bedford Valley Road, Bedford, Pa, 15522. Our business hours are flexible to suit your needs. We have done 24+ hour catered events with multiple shifts and multiple day events.  

What's the average price range and do you offer packages?

We offer several "sample" menus on our catering page though these are not set in stone. We offer several packages starting as low as $11.50 per person! 

Is my date available? 

 Please call us directly at 814-327-5928 or email us 

Will I like the food?

We absolutely guarantee that you will love the food. We put our hearts and soul into making your event a success. Having extraordinary food is a big part of it. Being full time caterer's and concessionaires is all that we do. 

How is your food prepared? 

Your food will be prepared fresh at your site on location our of mobile trailers or food trucks by our own professional chefs. The only exception is large orders of our smoked meats that take 16+ hours to properly cook. 

How is your food presented? How will it be served?

Our presentation varies to suit your personal needs. We can provide a buffet style meal where your guests serve themselves - We can serve each guest as they form a line and come directly to our trailers or trucks -  We can also hand deliver your food to an indoor central location bulk packaged in aluminum pans.   

How far will you cater or deliver orders to?  

We cater up to 150 miles from our commissary located in Bedford, Pa.  

Will I need any permits for my event? If so, will you handle obtaining them?

We will only handle permits needed for CVC to supply your food. Any and all other permits or licenses is your responsibility.

If my event runs longer then contracted, what are your overtime fees?

To be fair to both of your concerns, this will be addressed on an individual basis after we have your specific needs and requests.

Do we have to work off a preset menu or can you create a custom menu for our event? 

We are here to serve you. We are limited only by your request and budget!

Do you offer event packages or is everything à la carte or food per pan?

 We offer a la carte ordering and several "sample" option plans. 

What exactly do your packages include?

Packages include the desired food, preparation, and service methods of our extraordinary foods at your location or delivered to you. We provide all paper goods, napkins, disposable utensils, serving food trailers or trucks and/or buffet tables, sternos and chaffing dishes if needed.

What is CVC's standard payment policy?

A deposit is required to hold your date. Deposits are non-refundable due to turning away other business on the same day. The remainder is due upon arrival on the day of your event.

If I decide not to serve cake, can you provide a dessert display instead?

We are able to provide freshly baked fudge brownies, homemade apple dumplings, Funnel Cakes, deep fried oreos, assorted cookies and more. Let us know what you like!

What types of cloth linens, glassware, ceramic plates and metal flatware do you provide?

All packages include paper/plastic food trays, paper/plastic cups, plates, paper napkins and disposable utensils.  

What is your policy on cleanup? 

We will remove trash generated only by the process of feeding your guests. This to include garbage bags from cans and any waste produced by CVC. This does not include clean up of grounds, indoor/outdoor facilities, or inside buildings.

How do you dispose of trash, grey water, used grease, etc.?

All grey water, used grease, etc. is disposed at our approved facility. None is left for you. Unwanted grease is never left behind. We leave each venue as clean (if not cleaner) then whenever we arrived.

 Explanation of level of services?

(1)Full service? Yes! This means 100% Complete on-site cooking and catering. We arrive, set up, serve your guests for a pre-specified time, quickly and professionally, making sure everyone has enough to eat, then pack up and clean our area. Your guests come up to our concession trailers/ food trucks and choose what they like from your menu choices. Alternatively, we can set up buffet style and maintain a clean set-up. You won’t have to lift a finger! 

(2) Delivery and Set up? Yes! We will bring your order, set it up on your tables buffet style and depart. We will use your equipment for the set up. Your guests walk through helping themselves. **If you do not have hot or cold holding equipment we also offer these for $9. Each setup will hold one full size pan, keeping your food hot or cold for two hours. We will help you determine how many you will need. These are yours to keep after your event.

(3) Drop off/Pick up? Yes! You are welcome to call us to schedule a pick up time at our commissary. We would be happy to drop off your order, packaged and prepared hot or cold for your convenience. We will arrive with your meals bulked packed at a set delivery time. Package will include all premium utensils, plates, napkins and sauces.

(4)A La carte Orders Yes! We offer a wide selection of freshly smoked meats along with a selection of sides for you to choose from!   Pick up or delivery is available. 

What services are not included?

We do not include seating tables, wait staff, chairs or tents. 

  Who is handling rentals?

The host must handle all additional rentals.
Ex: bounce houses, large outdoor tents, picnic tables, etc.

Can you assist with other aspects of the event like selecting other vendors, event design (e.g. specialty lighting, elaborate décor, theme events, etc.)?

We can certainly advise in selecting other reputable vendors/aspects for your event. Let us know and we will offer our honest recommendations.

May we set up buffet style vs served at the food truck? 

 It's totally your choice! Both options are available. It's depends entirely on your amount of guests and if they know what they want to eat, then a buffet line would be faster.  For example: If your guest's are all receiving one main entree and two sides,  coming to our food truck would be the swiftest option. Each meal could be served in roughly 30-40 seconds a person.

 “Can you provide me with a broken-down cost estimate?”

Yes.

Do you provide alcohol?

You're welcome to have alcohol at your event, although we do NOT provide it nor do we serve it. Why? If one of your guests were to drink & drive being over the legal limit, it would fall back on the caterer.   

Can we provide the alcohol and you provide the bar labor?

You're more than welcome serve alcohol at your event! Although CVC is not permitted in any way shape or form to handle alcoholic beverages due to much stricter insurance regulations and liability on our part.  If you choose to have alcohol it must be handled entirely by you, your servers or your guests from A-Z.

Okay, say we book with you, how quickly can we expect a contract? And if we need to make changes to menu choices, people, or other items, will you update us with a revised estimate and contract? 

Absolutely! Proposals can be expected within 72 hours at the most. Revisions can be done up to two times provided 20 days prior to your event date. ( In case of last minute events, a week or less please contact us directly.)

What does the contract cover?

After speaking with you and discovering your needs, a contract will ensure that you get exactly what you are wanting. Included will be an overall review of your event and parameters. From desired foods, event date, service time, special requests and guest counts, with everything written out in terms that are easy to understand.

What is your payment policy? Do you accept credit cards?

Payments are accepted as cash or company checks/business checks only. Payments can be made out to " Cumberland Valley Concessions". We do not accept credit cards at this time.

Are there any other fees that won’t be included in the proposal that we should be aware of?

There are no hidden fees after we send your proposal. 

Given my budget, guest count, and event, what food choices would you recommend?

 What are your favorites? Submit a few quick details now and get a quick quote from us on the Contact Us page!

How does your staff dress?

 We will dress in our Cumberland Valley Concession shirts and pants.

Can you provide children's meals or portions?

Please let us know the desired children's meals & how many meals and we will be happy to discuss the details with you. 

Can you provide different themes for different events?

Depending on the event and theme. Let us know what you would like.

How quickly can you serve ____ people ?

Depending on our menu, on average 50-60 seconds per person if they know exactly what they want when they come to our window. The more options, the longer the service time.  If you choose a buffet line style vs service from our food trucks, the times are about the same. 

Can you provide references from previous clients?

Sure can!  Contact us here. 

Are you able to provide gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, kosher, halal and other special requests?

 We are able to satisfy some special requests but sometimes you can't please everyone. Please see our menu choices or let us know what you would like.

Can you provide organic, locally sourced foods?

We strive to buy organic foods locally when farmers markets and foods are in season to provide you with the healthiest, freshest ingredients possible.

Where does the food come from?

Although we do best to support our local community of farmers markets, we obtain larger quantities of our food from national food providers such as Sysco and US Foods.  

What can you do for guests with allergies?

We know that some suffer from different allergies. We can provide a list of allergens for all of our foods and written clearly on our menus so no one eats something they shouldn't.  A list can also be provided upon request.

Can you prepare something entirely different from your menu such as Thai Food ? 

 If you have a specific type of cuisine in mind that is not on the menu let us know what it is you desire. We have catered events in the past that was Thai themed with Thai foods. 

Do you work with fresh, not frozen food?

In most all cases we use fresh. We strive for the highest quality foods available. 

Will the food be prepared on-site or be brought in already prepared?

99% cooked on-site.  The only exception is large quantities of our slow cooked smoked meats that take 15+ hours or dropped off pre-cooked foods.

 How will you handle last-minute requests?

We will do our best to move heavens and Earth for you, let us know your needs. 

What's the average price range and do you offer packages?

Yes, we offer a different selection of packages. See them on our Catering Page for some examples.   Average price range starts from $11.50 per pickup orders. 

When do you need to know my finalized menu/ package choices?

 Normally 20 days prior to event. If your event is close or at the last minute, please kindly contact us directly. We will do our best to work with you.

Could vegan, vegetarian, kosher, meals be provided for 10 of my guests? If so what would be the cost?

 We do our best to provide a vegetarian(or other) option within our menu choices.We will do our best to work with your needs. 

Do you provide wedding cakes?

 How about funnel cakes for everyone instead? :)  Sorry, we do not provide cakes.

Are condiments included with my choices?

Yes!

What is your leftover policy?

We may leave customers pans of already prepared food upon completion of event at their request. If there are leftovers they may be packed and left behind once a liability release has been signed for our company.

Could we provide our own wait staff to assist?

Yes.

Who will oversee the event on the day of? Will the same person you worked with when planning also be available?

 Yes, you will receive excellent service from our entire company on the day of your event. We are there for you from your first call to years after your event. We have built many long term relationships with people that we've catered for.

How do delivery, setup and breakdown work and is there an additional fee?

We discuss this with you ahead of time after assessing your needs. We will meet you on your pre-determined event date, specific time, and venue.

How much time will the you need to set up? When will the you need access to the event site?

Depending on the level of service, such as Full Service we would require at least 10 hours prior to event. Drop off & set up orders do not take long at all to set up. Either using your equipment or ours, we are in and out in a jiffy letting you tend to your event.

Does you have extra charges, such as a security deposit, sales tax or service fees? What, if any, are the expected gratuities?

 The only prerequisite is a $500 deposit for large events. CVC will factor all applicable sales taxes after your initial proposal. Any service fees are also factored into your proposal. Gratuities are not expected, but are equally shared among all.

How do you charge beverages? Per consumption or per person? Which is more cost-effective?

Per person is the most cost effective. Alternatively you may order A la Carte depending on your needs.

Is hot coffee and tea service included with the per-person meal charge?

Coffee & Tea are available if pre-planned into your menu.

What is the number of staff that you plan to bring to our event?

We equip each unit with a minimum number of 5 persons to ensure quick and efficient service.

What is your cancellation policy? What if you have to cancel? What will we do?!

CVC will not cancel on your booked event under any circumstances except for severe personal health issues such as death.

How do I go about booking an event?

To book/secure a date, we would need both a deposit & a contract. We will mail/email you a proposal after speaking with you and then if you're satisfied with all the details, a contract can mailed and signed.  Ready to go? Contact us now or skip to the bottom and fill out a quick form.

Is the deposit refundable either way?

Deposits are non refundable.

How far in advance do I need to book you?

As much notice as possible, but we sometimes can accommodate last minute bookings. 30 days preferably.

Do we have to work off a preset menu or can you create a custom menu for our event?

We can customize and create a menu just for you!

If I have a special dish I'd like served, would you accommodate that?

Depending on the preparation time & feasibility of the dish.

If we use an outside cake designed, do you charge a cake-cutting fee?

Yes, a small fee will be included in the proposal. Please let us know the details ahead of time.

When will you need a final guest count?

We understand some things happen at last minute, but the sooner we know, the better prepared we can be to ensure your event is a success.

 When would I need to finalize the menu?

21 days before your event date is asked. Last minute events are considered based on the amount of options.

What are your water, electrical, and equipment needs?

Our mobile food trucks and trailers are set up for a continuous supply of uninterrupted potable water and 50 Amp 240 V electrical hook ups for each unit provided for your event.  We will supply all hoses and electrical cords. Note: If electricity/ & water is NOT available we do have large generators and portable water systems that can be implemented at additional cost.

 How do you handle tips for your staff?

Tips are not expected but are shared equally.

Cumberland Valley Concessions is adamant about safe food handling and time/temperature practices. All of our food service equipment is NSF certified to meet public health and safety standards.  All members of our staff are licensed through Pennsylvania ServSafe and a carry manager's certification card through ANSI. 

Have more Questions? Ready to order?

We can help. Submit your catering / event questions online (below) or give us a call at (814) 327-5928. Please note, not all subjects have to be filled out, but the more information the better we can assist you! We will never share your personal information.