Alumni bookings for High Table
As a member of Churchill you can dine up to four times a year at High Table, subsidised by the College.
You may also use your dining rights to bring a guest. You may bring a maximum of one guest per visit, except in exceptional circumstances and with the permission of the President of the SCR.
Please note, due to new safeguarding rules, all guests must be 18 or over.
Bookings
Bookings for places at High Table can be made online and must be made up to 48 hours before the day of dining.
Please Note: Online bookings are provisional only — a member of the Alumni Office will be in touch to confirm your place.or let you know if it has been cancelled due to insufficient diners or other events.
Summer vacation period: The High Table booking system for alumni is not running during the summer vacation, as High Table cannot be guaranteed during this period. However, should you wish to dine at High Table with a Fellow, please do contact them directly.
Dietary requirements: Please note that fish may be served as a starter or main course. If you are vegetarian, please also indicate whether or not you eat fish.
To assist those Fellows dining with you we ask that you provide us with details of your current position and organisation. This information will be published on the SCR website.
Donations
As a Churchill College alumni, we will cover the cost of your food. However if you are in a position to donate and cover the cost of your meal, please consider doing so.
Make a gift to College
FAQs
High Table FAQs
How do I book?
Please make a provisional booking online if you would like to dine at High Table on one of the specified dates available to alumni.
We ask the following on the booking form:
- Date you would like to dine
- Your name
- The name of any guests
- If you or your guests have any dietary requirements
- If you would like us to invite a particular Fellow to dine with you on the evening
- You will receive an email from the Alumni Office that you have been added to the list to dine.
High Table will not be held unless there is a presiding Fellow and sufficient diners. For this reason, confirmation that the dinner is going ahead may not be received until a few days before the date of the dinner.
When am I eligible to attend High Table?
- Undergraduate alumni are eligible for High Table dining privileges when they achieve their MA status, which is six years and one term after matriculation (provided that they are at least 24 years old), or have completed a higher degree at the University of Cambridge. (So in 2023, 2016 alumni become eligible.)
- Postgraduate alumni will continue to be eligible for High Table dining rights once they cease to be a student at Churchill College and have achieved their degree
- The minimum age requirement to dine at High Table is 17.
When can I use my alumni dining privileges?
- Alumni dining privileges are for dining at High Table with the Fellowship.
- Dining privileges may also be used for special celebrations and subject dinners.
- Special Menu evenings and Feasts are by invitation only.
- Dining privileges cannot be used to ‘dine below’ (e.g. at a ‘formal’ with current students).
How many times am I allowed to dine?
- Alumni are entitled to dine at High Table four times per calendar year at College expense.
- This can be allocated as four separate dinners by the individual or as two dinners by the individual and guest.
- It is possible, in exceptional circumstances, to bring up to three guests to High Table at your expense, but permission must be given by the President of the Senior Common Room (SCR).
- Alumni are welcome to dine at High Table more than four times, but will be charged for dinner after they use their allocation.
What is the cost?
- There is currently no cost for dinner until alumni have dined four times per calendar year.
What happens on the evening?
- You should meet in the SCR at 19:15 for drinks before dinner and introduce yourself, and guests, to the presiding Fellow.
- Dinner will begin promptly at 19:30.
- If invited by a Fellow to join the company after dinner you will be guided to the SCR for drinks, which must be signed for by writing your name on the list.
- When the Fellow retires you are kindly asked to vacate the SCR and are welcome to continue your evening in the Buttery.
- Large groups of alumni dining on special occasions (MA Graduation and Reunion Dinner, for example) will be expected to follow formal protocols for dining in Hall.
What should I wear?
- The dress code is lounge suit/smart businesswear or equivalent.
- Gowns are not required for alumni but may be worn if wished.
Booking High Table during the summer vacation period
The High Table booking system for alumni is not running during the summer vacation, as High Table cannot be guaranteed during this period. However, should you wish to dine at High Table with a Fellow, please do contact them directly.
