1891 Catering

Campus & Community Catering in Ellensburg, WA

From small meetings to major celebrations, 1891 Catering—part of Central Washington University Dining Services—provides full-service catering exclusively for events held in CWU-managed venues. Whether you’re hosting a campus function or reserving a CWU space as a community partner, our team ensures a seamless and memorable experience.

On this page:

About 1891 Catering
Catering Menus
Event Venues and Additional Services
How to Book Your Event
Why Choose 1891 Catering
Featured Community Events
Contact and Service Area

Submit A Catering Request

About 1891 Catering

1891 Catering supports events across the CWU campus, offering chef-crafted menus, professional event staffing, and coordinated service that fits a wide range of occasions.

We work closely with campus partners to ensure smooth logistics while also welcoming community organizations and nonprofits that reserve CWU venues.

Who We Serve

We proudly support any event held in a CWU-managed space, including:

Student clubs and organizations
Faculty and staff meetings, retreats, and celebrations
Campus departments and academic units
Local businesses, nonprofits, and community groups
Regional partners hosting conferences or special events in Central Washington

Catering Menus

Discover a range of menu options designed to support everything from casual gatherings to formal banquets.

View the full CaterTrax menu to explore pricing and detailed offerings.

Breakfast & Morning Meetings

Fresh-baked pastries, seasonal fruit, hot breakfast entrées, breakfast burritos, and beverage stations.

Boxed Lunches & On-the-Go Meals

Individually packaged meals with sandwiches, wraps, salads, vegan and vegetarian options, and gluten-free accommodations.

Buffets & Plated Entrées

Flexible, scalable menus ideal for receptions, conferences, and formal events.

Build-your-own buffets (entrée, sides, salad)
Themed buffets (Asian, Italian Dinner, Latin Dinner, Market Buffet)
Plated entrées for elegant dinners
Vegetarian, vegan, and allergen-friendly options available

Receptions & Hors d'Oeuvres

Charcuterie boards, hot and cold appetizers, sliders, small bites, dessert assortments, and drink packages.

Specialty & Dietary-Friendly Options

Thoughtful menus for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-conscious guests.

Bar & Beverage Services

Beer, wine, cider, and—where permitted—full bar service in approved venues.

View the full CaterTrax menu to explore pricing and detailed offerings.

View the Full Menu

Event Venues and Additional Services

1891 Catering serves events held in CWU-managed venues, available to both campus groups and community partners.

Popular Campus Venues

Sue Dining Room*
Lombard Dining Room*
Lombard Courtyard**
SURC Ballrooms
Departmental meeting rooms
Academic classrooms and conference spaces
Select outdoor campus locations (seasonal availability)

* Sue Dining Room and the Lombard Dining Room are both in Sue Lombard Hall and can be booked individually or together for additional space.
** The Lombard Courtyard is only available when you are also book the Lombard Dining Room

Venue Rental Fee Waivers

CWU offers rental fee waivers for select campus dining spaces when your event meets a minimum catering purchase:

Sue Lombard Dining Room: Rental fee is waived with a minimum of $425 in food purchases.
Lombard Dining Room: Rental fee is waived with a minimum of $300 in food purchases.
Both Sue & Lombard Dining Rooms (combined): Rental fee is waived with a minimum of $525 in food purchases.

These waivers make it more affordable to host events in CWU’s premier dining spaces while enjoying full-service catering from 1891 Catering.

Additional Event Services

A/V and technical support (coordinated with campus teams)
Full event staffing
Setup and teardown coordination
Licensed bar service (venue-dependent)
Customizable menu planning

How to Book Your Event

1. Reserve Your Venue

Secure your CWU event space before submitting a catering request.

Scheduling Center (All other campus venues, i.e. Ballroom, MEC, etc.)
For Sue Dining and Lombard you can book directly with 1891 Catering

2. Explore Menus and Event Options

Browse high-level categories or view the full CaterTrax catalog.

3. Submit a Catering Request

Use CaterTrax to request a quote, place an order, or begin planning your event.

4. Finalize Event Details

Work with our catering team to confirm timelines, staffing, dietary needs, and logistics.

5. Enjoy Your Event

Our team manages coordinated setup, service, and cleanup for a seamless experience.

Submit a Catering Request

Why Choose 1891 Catering

Campus expertise with deep knowledge of CWU venues and logistics
Integrated service with scheduling, facilities, and event staff
Chef-crafted menus for meetings, celebrations, and formal events
Flexible service levels including boxed meals, buffets, receptions, and plated dinners
Dietary accommodations including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-friendly options
Licensed bar service in approved venues (Must be approved by the President’s office*)
Accessible to campus and community users hosting events in CWU-managed spaces
Responsible and practical sustainability efforts including mindful purchasing, reducing unnecessary waste, and supporting CWU Dining sustainability initiatives
Seasonal and locally sourced ingredients when available, including produce from Wildcat Farm and other local/regional vendors
Professional, reliable, and attentive catering staff

*You can complete an Alcohol Approval Request Form if you would like licensed bar service at your event. To ensure you request is approved in time for you event, please submit the form at least 30 days prior to your event.

Featured Community Events

1891 Catering proudly partners with local nonprofits and community groups that host their signature events on the CWU campus.

Clymer Museum Annual Fundraising Dinner and Auction
A major event supporting one of Ellensburg’s cornerstone arts organizations.
Gallery One Annual Fundraising Dinner and Auction
A full catered dinner supporting Ellensburg’s leading visual arts center.

Featured Testimonials

In September, Gallery One hosted our largest annual fundraiser at CWU. This event is our most complex and the staff at CWU were amazing and attentive. The service was quick and clean, the food delicious, and it contributed to a very successful night. Will definitely return!

Buddy Todd, Executive Director of Gallery One

Contact and Service Area

Contact 1891 Catering

Phone: 509-963-1302
Email: catering@cwu.edu

Catering General Manager: Sonora Metreveli