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Welcome to Cajun Cafe Chicago — where every dish is made with care, culture, and community in mind. Whether you’re planning a corporate event, private celebration, or community gathering, we’re honored to be considered for your special occasion. To ensure a smooth and successful catering experience, we’ve outlined our catering policies below. Please review them carefully.

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Booking, Payments & Deposits

To reserve your event date, a signed service agreement and 50% non-refundable deposit are required. The remaining balance is due 14 days prior to your event. We accept electronic payments via credit card, ACH or check through our secure payment platform. Late payments may be subject to a $75 late fee. Events booked within five days of the event date are considered rush bookings and are subject to a $200 rush fee and availability.

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Price Guarantees & Guest Count

Pricing is confirmed once the final guest count, menu selections and full payment have been received. Final guest counts are due 14 days prior to the event and cannot be reduced after that date. Increases after the deadline are subject to availability and will be billed accordingly.

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Tastings

We offer tastings for prospective clients at a rate of $250 for up to four guests. The tasting includes a selection of small bites, soup or salad, entrees and dessert. Tastings allow you to experience our culinary offerings and tailor your menu selections. If you choose Cajun Cafe Chicago to cater your event, the tasting fee will be credited toward your final invoice. If you choose not to book, the fee simply covers food, labor, and preparation.

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Service Charge, Gratuities & Taxes

A 15% service fee applies to all catered events and covers administrative and operational expenses associated with event execution. The service fee is not a gratuity. Gratuities are optional and may be added during payment or provided directly to the service team. Additional delivery, travel, parking, tolls or venue-related fees may apply based on event location and requirements. Without valid documentation, all applicable taxes will be applied.

 

Tax Exempt Status

If your organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, you must provide a valid tax exemption certificate at the time of booking in order for sales tax to be removed from your invoice. Without this documentation, all applicable taxes will be applied

 

Delivery & Setup

Delivery and setup will be coordinated based on your office space or venue’s requirements and event schedule. To ensure timely service, please provide detailed loading dock or entry instructions at the time of booking. For full-service events, please allow adequate time for setup, breakdown, and cleanup in accordance with your venue’s guidelines.

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Additional Staffing, Rentals & Fees

Banquet Staffing: Staffing fees vary based on your guest count, menu selections, and service needs. This includes servers, cooks, bussers, and bartenders.

Rental fees: Additional rental fees may apply for tables, chairs, linens, specialty glassware, upgraded China, specialty service ware and other event-specific equipment. Rentals are quoted based on quantities, availability, delivery and venue requirements.

Commission fees: Some venues require catering commission fees, typically ranging from 10%–25%. Applicable venue commissions will be added to the client’s proposal or invoice.

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Dietary Restrictions & Food Safety

We take food safety seriously and make reasonable efforts to identify menu items containing common allergens, including dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, sesame, fish and shellfish. However, our kitchen handles common allergens, and we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment or prevent all cross-contact. Please notify our team of all allergies and dietary restrictions during the planning process. For food safety and liability reasons, Cajun Cafe Chicago does not serve, or handle food prepared by outside sources. Food removed from the event premises becomes the client’s responsibility.

 

​Cancellations & Refunds

We understand that plans can change. All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to sales@cajuncafechicago.com. For cancellations made 30 or more days prior to the event, the 50% deposit is non-refundable. For cancellations made 14–29 days prior, 75% of the total event cost is non-refundable. For cancellations made 7–13 days prior, 100% of payments made are non-refundable. Cancellations made fewer than 7 days prior to the event are non-refundable, and the full contracted balance remains due.

 

Photo Release

Cajun Cafe Chicago may photograph food, décor and event setups for marketing and promotional purposes. Photography or recording of guests will be coordinated with the client when applicable. Clients may request that no event photography be used for promotional purposes by notifying our team in writing before the event.

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COVID-19 Considerations
While we follow all local and federal public health guidelines, Cajun Cafe Chicago is not responsible for cancellations, restrictions, or limitations due to COVID-19 outbreaks, government mandates, or venue closures. We will make every effort to reschedule your event when possible.​

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Our Commitment
Cajun Cafe Chicago is fully licensed, insured, and compliant with all Cook County food safety regulations. Our team is committed to professionalism, hospitality, and delivering a memorable culinary experience rooted in culture, tradition, and community.

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Ready to Book?
We’re excited to serve you! ​Reach out to us anytime at sales@cajuncafechicago.com