5 Tips for Choosing the Picnic Caterer That’s Right for You | Tasty Catering Skip to main content

5 Tips for Choosing the Picnic Caterer That’s Right for You

Spring has finally sprung, and while it may not always feel like it, summer is SO close. Whether you’re hosting a family reunion in August or an employee appreciation event in June, nothing screams summer gathering more than a picnic.

If you’re envisioning a few hot dogs and burgers on an itty-bitty grill, you’ve definitely never experienced a Tasty picnic. That’s why choosing the right caterer is essential if you’re looking to host a celebration your guests will remember.

Here are our top five tips for choosing the right picnic caterer for your event this summer:

Look for experience and reputation

The biggest factor to research is how experienced the caterer is and the reputation they have with their customers. While anyone can certainly throw burgers on the grill, you want to choose a company with a proven track record handling mid- to large-scale complex outdoor events. And most importantly, this should be a company you can trust to provide a flawless experience.

Cheese burgers on the Grill at Picnic Event Chicagoland

Last summer alone Tasty Catering served 89,964 picnic guests and grilled up 77,335 juicy burgers at over 300 picnics. We ensure each event is appropriately staffed with a uniformed, talented team who’s ready for anything. Rain in the forecast? No problem, we’ll rent more tents. Pesky bugs at dusk? We’ll add to the ambiance with citronella candles. Dietary restrictions or preferences? We can accommodate vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, even trans-fat-free!

Ask what they can take care of for you

Did you know that event planning is listed among the top ten most stressful jobs year after year, alongside corporate execs and airline pilots? Hiring the right caterer to manage the details and execute your vision will lower your stress level so you can enjoy yourself with your guests. Ask your potential caterer exactly what steps of the planning process they can help with. Are they just there to set up the food, or can they handle it all, including planning, rentals, entertainment and execution?

Picnic Event Planning and Coordinating

Tasty Catering is truly a one-stop shop. You won’t have to involve any other vendors—we can take care of it all! Not only do we serve up delicious food, but our picnic planners can help you find the perfect venue, recommend the best menu for your guests (including those with dietary restrictions and preferences), handle all your rentals and walk you through every step of planning until the last guest has gone home. Not many caterers offer this type of full-service setup!

Determine how they can make your picnic unique

Not every picnic is created equal! Who says you have to stick to the ordinary picnic setup? Choose a caterer that will help you mix it up by crafting a theme that will add excitement to your event. Transform your company picnic into an outdoor casino or bring your family to the Caribbean with a tropical-themed outdoor BBQ bash (complete with a pig roast and pirates, of course).

Unique Picnic Themes

The options are truly endless to customize your decor and menu to create a picnic that will disrupt the status quo.

Explore menu options

The most important part of a party? Delicious food! While some caters may show up with chafing dishes full of pre-prepped burgers and corn, Tasty makes everything on-site, ensuring all the food is served grill to plate and bursting with flavor. We also fully control food safety, checking food temps every half hour. You’ll want to do some research on exactly how the caterer preps food and serves your guests to make sure you’re getting only the best!

Tacos and Fun Picnic Food for All Themed Picnics Chicago

Options are also something to look for as well. Does a caterer offer one standard package for catering, or do they have a 35+ page menu chock full of unique options? We believe that variety is the spice of life. Bring a variety of sausages and bratwurst to the grill for your October event or add walking tacos and lime marinated chicken breast to your Cinco de Mayo fiesta.

Find value

Last but certainly not least, you want to make sure you find a caterer who is going to offer you fair prices for our Chicagoland area. We get it—event expenses can add up quickly. Search for a caterer who will work with you to customize the perfect picnic within your budget. Depending on day of the week, time frame, number of guests, entertainment needs and location, our staff are available to provide you with the best options for your vision that won’t break the bank.

Let us help you plan the event of the summer; contact us online or give us a call at 847-593-2000.

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