How Many People Should I Expect?
Generally, you should plan on 35 people. 

When are Meetings?
Meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 7:00 pm. This may fluctuate a week earlier if the fourth Monday falls on a holiday. 

Do I Have to Arrange for an Educational Speaker?
If you have a topic/presenter in mind, let us know. Otherwise we can arrange this for you.

What Should I Expect to Provide?
The host generally provides a meal. What this consists of will be up to you, but it normally revolves around a feature or menu you have. Non-Alcoholic drinks are also provided. If you can not provide a hot meal, but will have finger foods (sandwiches, cold salads, etc.), that will be fine, just let us know so we can advertise the meeting appropriately.

May I Serve Alcoholic Beverages?
You may serve alcoholic beverages, but this would need to be run as a separate tab for each individual. Attendees are responsible for their own alcoholic beverages. This is not a bill the chapter will cover. We will try to tie in a wine distributor for sampling with the meal when it is possible. We will let you know in advance if one has agreed to help host the meeting.
 

What Fees Should I Expect the Chapter to Cover?
If this will be a sit-down meal, the chapter will cover gratuity for the wait staff. This must be presented to the chapter prior so that a budget for this can be set. The meal itself is a donation from the hosting property. If you are needing help with food costs, that needs to be addressed prior to the meeting being confirmed at your location. We can try to have product donated (though this means you may need to work with what we can have provided free or at cost). Special arrangements for fees can be made in advance, but we will have to pass this on the members and/or non-paid members attending that night. Most hosts generally try to have food for paid members out for free and if a fee is charged it is to non-members. No bills at the end of the evening will be honored. This is generally a time that a chef or location shows off it’s talent/menu to attendees.
 

Why Can I Not Expect the Chapter to Cover all the Costs?
The American Culinary Federation and all of its chapters are a nonprofit organization. We do not have a steady stream of income flowing into the chapter. The only way monies are raised are to have fundraisers. If the chapters were to pay for each meeting, they would go bust. The chapter meetings are not a source of income for a venue, but it is truly a hosting situation as if you are having guests in your home. It is a chance to show off your location and menu. The chapter will cover the costs of gratuity for wait staff that is agreed upon prior to the meeting being set for your location. Any additional costs will have to be transferred to attendees. This can be handled if covered in advance of meeting being set at your location (exact amounts needed). Please keep in mind, would you want to pay for a meeting and if so, how much? This should be your rule of thumb.