Chicago Picnic Catering — Outdoor Events Done Right
Backyard Parties. Company Picnics. A True Catering Experience.
It’s Not Just Food Outside — It’s an Experience
Frato’s Personal Chef Catering specializes in outdoor catering for backyard parties, company picnics, school field days, block parties, and more. Whether you’re in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs, our team of professional chefs brings the heat — without cutting corners. We’ve been doing this for over 40 years.
Outdoor Catering Packages — Transparent Pricing
No surprises. No hidden fees. Real food from real chefs.
Essentials
$15/person
Starting price
- Drop-off, ready to serve
- Classic cookout menus
- All disposables included
- Feeds 20+
Full-Service
$22/person
Starting price
- Chef on-site at your event
- Setup and service included
- Themed or custom menus
- Feeds 50+
Premium Experience
$30+/person
Custom quote
- Multiple chefs on-site
- Live cooking stations
- Raclette, carving, action bars
- White-glove service
Final pricing based on menu selections, guest count, and service level. Get your custom quote →
Full-service outdoor catering setup. We handle it all.
Not All Outdoor Caterers Are the Same
Most picnic caterers operate like factories — high volume, low attention, temps in aprons. They’re optimized for quantity, not quality. That’s fine if you want forgettable food and a checked box.
Frato’s is different. We’re a catering company that owns a restaurant — not the other way around. Every outdoor event gets a trained chef from our culinary apprenticeship program. Someone who knows food, not just how to unwrap it.
Volume Caterers
- Factory-prepped food reheated on-site
- Temp workers in branded shirts
- Same menu, every event
- Price is the pitch
Frato’s Personal Chef Catering
- Scratch-made in our kitchen daily
- Trained chefs from our apprenticeship program
- Custom menus for every event
- Quality is the promise
“When you taste the food, you’ll know the difference.”
Why Choose Frato’s for Your Outdoor Event?
Chef-Run Catering
Our chefs are trained in our in-house culinary apprenticeship program. Real chefs who cook — not temps who reheat.
Scratch-Made Food
Everything prepared fresh in our kitchen. No factory bags, no frozen trays, no shortcuts.
Over 40 Years of Catering
Founded in 1974, scratch cooking since 2012. We know how to feed a crowd outdoors.
Local to Schaumburg
Fast, reliable catering service across all Chicago suburbs and the city.
Drop-Off or Full-Service
Flexible packages for every event type — from simple delivery to chef-staffed service.
Custom Menus
Built around your theme, budget, and dietary needs. Not a one-size-fits-all menu.
Inclusive Options
Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, and Zabiha Halal upon request. Indian Fusion available.
Media Trusted
As seen on Fox News, Daily Herald, Chicago’s Best, WGN News, and more.
On-Time Guarantee
We show up when we say we will. If we’re more than 15 minutes late, your order is free. See our guarantee →
Company Picnics & Employee Appreciation Events
Planning a corporate picnic? You need more than burgers and hot dogs — you need an event your team actually remembers.
Frato’s works with HR managers, office administrators, and event planners across Chicagoland to deliver outdoor corporate events that feel like a reward, not an obligation.
Perfect For:
- Employee appreciation picnics
- Team-building outdoor events
- Summer company outings
- End-of-quarter celebrations
- Client appreciation BBQs
- Product launch outdoor events
What Sets Us Apart for Corporate:
- Diverse menu options — including Halal, Indian Fusion, Korean BBQ, and Vegetarian to accommodate your entire team
- Professional presentation — your event reflects on you. We make you look good.
- Reliable execution — on-time guarantee. No scrambling, no excuses.
- Flexible headcount — whether you’re feeding 50 or 500, we scale to fit.
Signature Outdoor Catering Packages
All-American Cookout
Unlimited burgers and hot dogs, full buffet, sides, watermelon, Grandma Frato’s brownies, drinks, and more. Classic done right.
Backyard BBQ Bash
Grilled chicken breasts, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, mac & cheese, Southwest rice, sauces, and more — no grill required on your end.
Backyard Party Picnic
Grilled chicken, burgers, and hot dogs — all in one affordable, crowd-pleasing package. The essentials, elevated.
Themed Outdoor Menu Packages
Not every picnic needs to be burgers and dogs. Stand out with globally-inspired menus your guests won’t forget.
Indian Fusion Picnic Package
Chicken Tikka Masala, basmati rice, and naan bread. Zabiha Halal options available. Perfect for diverse teams and family gatherings.
Korean BBQ Package
Sweet and savory Korean BBQ chicken and steak over rice with fresh veggies and our scratch-made signature sauce. A crowd favorite.
Smoked Fiesta Taco Package
Build-your-own tacos with smoked meats, fresh salsas, guacamole, and all the fixings. Interactive and delicious.
Mediterranean Picnic Package
Grilled chicken, hummus, pita, and fresh vegetables. Light, fresh, and universally loved. Falafel available as a custom add-on.
Pizza Party Package
Chicago’s Best-voted thin crust pizza — the same recipe that beat Rosati’s in a blind taste test. Multiple pies, fresh salads, and Grandma Frato’s brownies. Simple. Perfect.
Ice Cream Social Package
Available as an add-on or standalone. Multiple flavors and toppings to cool the crowd down on a hot day.
Halal Outdoor Packages
Zabiha Halal options available across most menu packages — including Indian Fusion, Mediterranean, and custom builds. Just ask.
Want a Custom Menu?
Don’t see exactly what you want? Our chefs design custom menus built around your theme, culture, budget, and dietary needs.
Add a Live Raclette Cheese Station
Make your outdoor event unforgettable with our live raclette melt station. Melted cheese scraped tableside onto potatoes, meats, and vegetables. A showstopper.
See Our Full Menu
Browse all catering options at a glance — from appetizers to entrees to desserts.
Book Early: Outdoor catering spots fill fast for spring, summer, and fall in Chicagoland. Secure your date before it’s gone.
Perfect For
Backyard Parties
Private celebrations at home
Company Picnics
Team events & appreciation
School Field Days
End-of-year celebrations
Block Parties
Neighborhood gatherings
Outdoor Catering Questions
How much does outdoor catering cost?
Outdoor catering starts at $15 per person for drop-off service and $22 per person for full-service with a chef on-site. Premium packages with live stations start at $30 per person. Final pricing depends on menu selections, guest count, and service level.
Do you offer drop-off or full-service?
Both. We have flexible packages for every event type, from simple drop-off to full chef-staffed service with setup, serving, and breakdown.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes. We offer Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, and Zabiha Halal options upon request. We also offer Indian Fusion, Mediterranean, and other globally-inspired menus to accommodate diverse groups.
Do you offer Halal outdoor catering?
Yes. Zabiha Halal options are available across most menu packages, including Indian Fusion, Mediterranean, BBQ, and custom menus. Let us know your needs when you request a quote.
How far in advance should I book?
Outdoor catering spots fill fast for spring, summer, and fall. We recommend booking 2-4 weeks in advance for smaller events and 4-8 weeks for larger corporate picnics.
Can you create a custom menu?
Absolutely. Our chefs design custom menus built around your theme, culture, budget, and dietary needs. Tell us what you’re envisioning.
What’s included with full-service catering?
Full-service includes a chef on-site, buffet setup, serving, and breakdown. We bring everything needed — you just show up and enjoy.
What makes Frato’s different from other picnic caterers?
We’re chef-run, not volume-driven. Every event gets a trained chef from our culinary apprenticeship program. Our food is scratch-made daily — not factory-prepped and reheated. And we back it with an on-time guarantee.
Serving Chicago & All Suburbs
Based in Schaumburg, we cater outdoor events throughout Chicagoland — from the city to the far suburbs.
Ready to Book Your Outdoor Event?
Speak with a chef and get a customized quote for your picnic, backyard party, or company event.
Or email us at Catering@FratosKitchen.com
AS FEATURED ON
Fox News Chicago · Chicago’s Best · WGN News · Windy City Live · AP News · Daily Herald