What amount of food must I provide?
- Five different meals: If distilled spirits are provided at the event, at least five different meals must be provided at all times and in all areas where alcohol service is available.
- Two different meals: If distilled spirits are NOT provided at the event, at least two different meals must be provided at all times and in all areas where alcohol service is available.
What constitutes a meal?
A meal is a food item that is typically served as a main course or entrée. Some examples are fish, steak, chicken, pasta, pizza, and sandwiches. Side dishes, appetizer items, dessert items, and snack items such as popcorn, peanuts, chips, and crackers do not qualify as meals.
What does different mean?
Different means meals that the OLCC determines differ in their primary ingredients or method of preparation. For example, a turkey sandwich differs from a salami sandwich, a beef burger differs from a turkey burger, and fried chicken differs from baked chicken. Different sizes of the same item are not considered different.
Is there an exception to providing the two different meals?
The OLCC must determine that the clearly dominant emphasis is food service at all times in the area where alcohol service is available in order for you to provide only one meal. The OLCC will work with you to make this determination prior to approving your application.
What does it mean to provide food service at all times in all areas where alcohol service is available?
Patrons must be able to obtain food service inside the special event-licensed area. You may use either of the following two methods to provide food service:
- Within all areas where alcohol service is available, have the minimum required meals available for patrons at all times; or
- Within all areas where alcohol service is available, have a menu of the minimum required meals (plus any other items you may choose to include) available for patrons at all times and be able to provide the meals in the area if a patron chooses to order food. The meals could be kept at a location other than the area where the alcohol is served; however, you must be able to provide the meals to the patron in the area where alcohol service is available.
Is providing tastings of alcohol considered providing alcohol service?
Yes, providing tastings of alcohol is considered providing alcohol service; therefore, the food requirements must be met.
May I use food provided by a contractor(s) to meet the food requirement?
Yes, the food service may be provided by someone other than you; however, even if food service is provided by a contractor, you are fully responsible for compliance with the food requirements. You may sell or serve alcohol only when food service that meets the requirement is provided to patrons at all times and in all areas where alcohol service is available.
Who can the contract for the food service be with?
The contract can be between:
- You (the OLCC licensee) and the food service contractor; or
- The organizer of the event and the food service contractor.
Does the food service contract need to be in writing?
No, the food service contract does not need to be in writing; however, you may sell or serve alcohol only when food service that meets the requirement is provided to patrons at all times and in all areas where alcohol service is available.