Grad Hall
College dinners are a staple part of student life in Cambridge. Every Tuesday during term time at Christ’s we have what is called “Grad Hall”in our 16th-century wood panelled and stained-glass dining hall. This begins with pre-drinks in the MCR (usually prosecco and juice) at 7pm, followed by a 2-course meal around 7:30, which is concluded with port and chocolates in the hall. At the low price of £8.00 (for Christ’s members), it’s well worth coming down!
Grad Hall at Christ’s is unique in that there is no formal dress requirement. This means that unlike most other colleges, you need not come to Grad Hall wearing your gown. People usually wear smart casual clothes. We feel that the relaxed dress code contributes to the more friendly and vibrant social atmosphere Christ’s has to offer.
Swaps
In a swap, a group of Christ’s students gets to have dinner in another college and, in exchange, we welcome a group of students from the other college to have dinner at Christ’s. Swaps are a nice opportunity to meet people from outside Christ’s and see different dining halls and colleges in Cambridge!
When a swap is approaching, we send an email giving the opportunity to all MCR members to sign up. We allocate the usually limited number of spots trying to give the opportunity for everyone to attend to at least one swap.
Superhall
We also have special dinners each term, called Superhalls. These are extravagant, not to be missed black tie (or fancy dress!) affairs with top quality food, free-flowing wine and some form of after dinner entertainment. Some examples of after dinner entertainment in recent years have included piano players, a jazz band, a belly-dancing filled luau, and a casino! There are also other special dinners planned for holidays and academic events throughout term, so keep an eye on your email for details!
Seating Plans FAQ:
Some meals in the hall have seating plans (Superhalls, ERSS, other special events). You can book these through the meal booking system like any other meal in Hall. Shortly before the Hall, the halls officers will ask for your preferences by email, and will do their best to accomodate everyone and send the result to catering. Please note that seating plans can only be changed up to 1pm the day before the hall.
Catering use the seating plan to know who is vegetarian or has other dietary requirements/allergies, so it's important to stick to the plan once it's set. If you have a question not answered below, email halls@christsmcr.co.uk and ask!
Q: How do I book in for meals with a seating plan?
A: This way:
You will get an email to the Christ's MCR list to announce the opening of booking for an event. It will have information about the meal and a deadline for booking in and for making seating plan requests.
Go to the meal booking system and book in. Send the halls officer (halls@christsmcr.co.uk) any requests you might have for the seating plan.
Enjoy the event!
Q: I sent a request for a previous dinner and I'd still like to sit with the same people. Do I have to send another request with the same name(s)?
A: No, old requests are kept and re-used. If you want to sit with different people you have to send a request for that.
Q: I have booked in a guest on the meal booking system, do I have to request to sit with them?
A: No, if you booked a guest yourself you will be sat with them. If you have a guest booked for someone else you have to tell the halls officer who you booked them for. Please give your guest a name in the booking system or they will get a name tag saying "Guest".
Q: I bought someone else's ticket after booking closed, can I choose where I'm seated?
A: If you send an email with the name of the person who sold you their ticket and the seating plan deadline hasn't passed then yes.