The Catering Services Policy is in effect to inform customers of how Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. operates, responds to service related inquiries or issues such as booking, payments, refunds, chargebacks, cancellations, equipment use, and more. 

Booking and Confirmation:

• Customers are booked on a first-come, first-served basis, dependent upon receipt of the minimum of $250 deposit to secure a date. Therefore, if more than one customer calls to inquire about a date and time, the customer who pays their deposit will secure that date and time.
• Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. does not provide same day or short notice service (less than 14 business days). However, should Down Home Southern Catering LLC., provide services for events that are less than 14 business days, it is at the discretion of the company and the cost of the invoice must be paid in cash (depending on the location) or via zelle. 

Catering Services:

• Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. specializes in southern , down home cooking cuisine based on what is on its menu. However, if within reason and the company’s specialty, the caterer is open to seeing how we can accommodate the customer with food items that may not be on the menu. Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. does NOT specialize in or offer gluten free or vegan food items. 
• Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. does not provide table to table service. Catering service options include:

1. Full Service Catering (buffet serving)- this service is distinctive in that the caterer and other Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. staff serve guests as they come through the buffet line and includes all food, beverages, ice, serving pans, wire racks or stands, food display items, table cloths, plates, cups. eating and serving utensils, sterno flames and decor. $50 per hour needed will be added to the invoice as a “Serving Fee”. (this service is recommended to ensure that all guests are able to be served).
   1. To ensure that all guests eat, the caterer will see that all guests receive at least one plate of food. If any is left over, guests will be allowed to get seconds or thirds. However, if more guests are in attendance than what was paid for, the caterer is not responsible for those who were not able to eat and no refunds or credits will be issued nor will any additional food be cooked and brought back or given to the customer at a later time as this was not an error on the part of the caterer but the customer who failed to pay for the appropriate number of guests.
2. Drop off- this service is ONLY the drop off of purchased food items and beverages. It does not include ice, serving pans, wire racks or stands, food display items, table cloths, plates, cups, eating and serving utensils, sterno flames and decor. (if there will not be anyone to monitor the food or portions of the guests, it is recommended to purchase the Full services catering service to ensure that all guests are able to be served)
   1. Serving and portion size is relative based on the appetite of individual guests. What one person constitutes as a serving or portion, may not be the same for others who eat more or less. Therefore, the caterer is not responsible if all guests do not eat due to some guests getting larger portions than others or with the addition of unexpected guests that were not included in the invoice as the caterer buys, cooks and prepares for the number of people paid for. Therefore, no refunds or credits will be issued nor will any additional food be cooked and brought back or given to the customer at a later time as a make up for the lack of food based on the customer’s failure to pay for the appropriate number of guests.

Discounts & Promotions:

• Discounts and promotions are given at the company’s discretion and will not be honored in the following circumstances: 

1. The deadline of the discount or promo has passed
2. Although the company may offer different discounts and promos (i.e., new customer, returning customer, holiday promos, etc.), more than one discount or promo cannot be used for the same singular event. Therefore, attempting to split different discounts or promo codes among separate invoices is not allowed and will not be honored. 
3. Promotions include, at minimum, 1 meat entree, 2 sides and a bread item (to feed up to 20 people or 40 people depending on the promo). The caterer may add a dessert or beverage item at their discretion. 
   1. A La Carte Items: If the customer desires to add additional items a la carte, based on the menu item ordered, it may or may not feed the entire number of guests expected. (i.e. if a customer has 20 guests and orders baked chicken but would like a half pan of meatless lasagna to accomodate guests who do not eat meat, a half pan will not feed 20 people and will be encouraged to purchase a long pan if they would like all 20 guests to have meatless lasagna). 

Payment, Deposits and Fraudulent Chargbacks:

• Payments & Deposits
  • Deposits and payments are made via an invoice with the customer’s credit or debit card or with their banking info. (No card or banking info is seen, saved or shared by Down Home Southern Catering, LLC.)
  • After the deposit is made, payments can be made in full or smaller payments via the invoice. 
  • Final payments must be received within 14 business days of the event in order to be adequately received and processed through our invoice vendor and our bank in order for services to be completed and honored. 
  • Deposits are non-refundable. However, in the event that the customer’s initial date and time no longer is viable, the deposit will be transferable towards the cost of the new day’s event but ONLY if the caterer is available that day and time. If the customer cannot reschedule with a date that is available for the company, the deposit is forfeited. 
  • Once a deposit is paid, the invoice cannot be edited to delete or add items. A new invoice will be sent ONLY in the event of additional items being ADDED and the new invoice will include applicable taxes (and will not include a discount if one was applied to the first invoice). Therefore, customers are expected to thoroughly read each line item BEFORE paying the deposit and in the event they want to delete or add items, they are to contact the company to express their needs for edits to the invoice so it can be resent to them for review. 
  • By making a payment, customers indicate understanding and acknowledgement of what is stated in this policy as it is stated on our website at www.downhomesoutherncatering.com/policies 
• Fraudulent Chargebacks- Chargebacks can have a financial impact on a business. Although we stand by our service and do not anticipate the issue, we understand that when providing a service, businesses may encounter customers that are more hard to please or who may present challenges during the process. Although Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. is always willing to reach professional, ethical but reasonable solutions with our customers, we would like customers who intentionally defraud or attempt to defraud the company after receiving satisfactory services and stating they were pleased with the services only to later dispute the charge to get a refund or claiming the charges were not valid that: 
  • Pursuant to  O.C.G.A.Section 16-9-33, Georgia’s law makes it clear that when a cardholder willfully, knowingly and with intent submits a false bank chargeback and report of non receipt of services or goods when in fact the charges were valid and the services and goods were provided, is illegal, a criminal offense and is considered a form of financial transaction card fraud which can result in misdemeanor charges (punishable by fines up to $1,000) and/or jail time (up to 1 year) with other consequences including being blacklisted by financial institutions, loss of banking privileges and damages to their credit score. 

Cancellations & Refunds:

• Deposits are non-refundable. However, in the event that the customer’s initial date and time are no longer viable, the deposit will be transferable towards the cost of the new rescheduled day’s event but ONLY if the company is available that day and time. If the customer cannot reschedule with a date that is available for the caterer, although any subsequent payments will be refunded, the deposit is forfeited. Therefore, the amount of notice to cancel without incurring charges isn’t applicable as deposits are non-refundable. 

Prices & Serving Sizes:

• Servings: Serving and portion size is relative based on the appetite of individual guests. What one person constitutes as a serving or portion, may not be the same for others who eat more or less. Therefore, the caterer is not responsible if all guests do not eat due to some guests getting larger portions than others or with the addition of unexpected guests that were not included in the invoice as the caterer buys, cooks and prepares for the number of people paid for. Therefore, no refunds or credits will be issued nor will any additional food be cooked and brought back or given to the customer at a later time as a make up for the lack of food based on the customer’s failure to pay for the appropriate number of guests. 
• Prices
  • With the exception of a la carte items, menu prices are priced PER PERSON and are prepared according to the number of people purchased. Therefore, if a customer purchases food for 20 people, items will be purchased and prepared for 20. 
    • A La Carte Items: If the customer desires to add additional items a la carte, based on the menu item ordered, it may or may not feed the entire number of guests expected. (i.e. if a customer has 20 guests and orders spaghetti as the main entree but would like a half pan of wings, a half pan will not feed 20 people and will be encouraged to purchase 1 or more long pans if they would like all 20 guests to have a full serving of at least 6-10 wings each). 
  • Discounts and promotions are given at the company’s discretion and will not be honored in the following circumstances: 
    • The deadline of the discount or promo has passed
    • Although the company may offer different discounts and promos (i.e., new customer, returning customer, holiday promos, etc.), more than one discount or promo cannot be used for the same singular event. Therefore, attempting to split different discounts or promo codes among separate invoices is not allowed and will not be honored. 
    • Promotions include, at minimum, 1 meat entree, 2 sides and a bread item (to feed up to 20 people or 40 people depending on the promo). The caterer may add a dessert or beverage item at their discretion. 

Taxes and Fees:

• Taxes- All invoices will incur a non refundable 7% Georgia state tax. 
• Additional fees that customers are subjected to:
  • Serving Fee: (optional). $50 per hour. This fee is applied to invoices for customers who request the caterer stay and serve the food to guests as they approach the buffet table to ensure that guests receive appropriate food portions so that all guests (that were paid for) are able to eat. Drop off events are not eligible for the serving service. Serving fees are only refundable if the customer decides to no longer have a full service catering event and opts for a drop off instead.
  • Travel fee: Depending on the customer’s location throughout Georgia or Alabama, invoices may incur a non refundable travel fee. Depending on the location, traveling fees range from $0-$250. 

Food and Equipment Handling:

• Dietary Needs or Allergies- Although the caterer will ask about allergies, it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that the caterer knows about any allergies of their guests so the caterer can plan accordingly prior to shopping and cooking any food. If the customer denies or does not disclose any allergies, menu items will be cooked as stated on the menu and no refunds or  credits will be issued and no food will be cooked to take back to the customer.  
  • Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. does not cook or provide food items that are vegan or gluten free. 
• Full Service Catering Events
  • Leftover food: For full service catering events, all food and beverages remain with the customer. If the caterer has to go boxes, to-go boxes will be prepared and set aside before the caterer departs to be distributed or discarded at the customer’s discretion. NOTE: the caterer is not responsible for discarding any trash.  
  • If any equipment belonging to the caterer is damaged or taken while at a full service catering service during any domestic disputes, unsupervised children, etc., the customer will be expected to pay for the cost or repair of the damaged or stolen items and will be sent a bill from Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. 
• Drop Off
  • Leftover food:  Because the customer purchased the food &/or beverage items, it is at their discretion to what they choose with any leftovers. The caterer is not responsible for coming back to discard any pans or trash. 
  • Equipment- No equipment (i.e. serving pans, wire racks or stands, food display items, table cloths, plates, ice, cups, eating and serving utensils, sterno flames and decor) is dropped off, only purchased food and beverage items.  

Specific Event Requirements:

• Alcohol- Down Home Southern does not provide or serve alcoholic beverages. Therefore, the caterer and staff will not serve any alcoholic beverages being served by the customer or the venue. 
• Parking- If at an event venue and the caterer is expected to pay for parking upon entering or leaving, it is the customer’s response to disclose this prior to the invoice being sent and to cover the cost of parking for the caterer, as it will be included in the invoice. 
• Unloading/Loading
  • The caterer requires access to a low level walking area or a working elevator area to bring or deliver the customer’s order. Due to the use of a rolling cart, the caterer will not be able to deliver the order if there are stairs that need climbing. 
    • The caterer will need to be able to have permission to park near the door to unload and load. 
    • The caterer will need to have an unobstructed pathway to the set up area or the delivery area to avoid dropping any of the food. Therefore, if there are dogs, toys, furniture or people obstructing a clear path to where they need to set up or deliver the food and it results in food being shaken up or dropped, no refunds or credits will be issued and no food will be remade or redelivered for the same event or at a later time. 
    • To protect the safety of the caterer and our staff, Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. will not be able to deliver, set up or drop off foods if there is an aggressive animal or guests who are verbally or physically aggressive due to intoxication, mental illness or substance use. The caterer will inform the customer that they will need to pick the items up at the door or gate or at a nearby, safe space at the customer’s cost and convenience. 

Issues, Concerns or Feedback About Order: Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. values its customers and therefore does its best to ensure that all customers receive quality, professional and timely service and therefore, asks the customer to express any issues or concerns upon receiving and inspecting the order prior to the caterer setting up (for a full service catering event) or dropping off the food items (drop off event) in an effort to address the issue and reach a swift resolution before airing grievances publicly. Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. can be reached via email or phone 10am-6pm EST (M-F) and 10am-6pm EST (Sat) at contact@downhomesoutherncatering.com or at (404) 692-2665. 

• Defamation, Slander, Harassment and/or Doxxing: Although we stand by our service and do not anticipate any issues with harassment, stalking, defamation, slander or doxxing, we understand that when providing a service, businesses may encounter customers that are more hard to please than others or who may present challenges during the process that may make it hard to effectively operate a business. Although Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. is always willing to receive and hear any concerns and reach professional, ethical but reasonable ways to resolve any conflict or dissatisfaction with our services, quality of food, the owner or our staff, we would like customers who intentionally slander, defame, harass or dox the company or its staff that: 
  • According to Georgia's law, defamation is defined as making false and malicious statements, including those made to others and by others on behalf of another, while knowing the statements are false or while failing to use ordinary care to figure out whether the statements were false before they shared, posted, emailed, harassed and wrote false reviews on behalf of the original complainant’s behalf. In the event of acts of willful defamation, slander, harassment and/or doxxing of the owner or staff of Down Home Southern Catering, LLC., Down Home Southern Catering, LLC. is represented by Deming Parker Law Firm and are prepared to take appropriate legal action to prevent further abusive acts or damages that interrupt our business or willfully harm our reputation, including stalking, doxxing, harassment and/or threatening communications. 
  • Pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section 51-5-4 et seq., Georgia Law defines slander  as oral communication to another a statement you know to be false that imputes to another a crime  punishable by law or making charges against another in reference to his trade, office, or profession, calculated to injure him therein. 
  • Pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section 16-5-90 et  seq., Georgia Law prohibits stalking, harassment, or intimidation of another person by any means,  including but not limited to telephone, mail, electronic devices, or in person. Both civil and  criminal remedies are provided by law for such violations.