Hors d’Oeuvres & Appetizer Catering in Chicagoland
Hand-crafted bites and buffet-style bars for cocktail hours, office parties and celebrations.
From arancini and bacon-wrapped figs to filet mignon skewers and an artisan cheese bar. Add a Frato’s personal chef to serve it.
Advance notice required: our chefs book events early, and these are hand-crafted items.
Or call a chef: (847) 895-2122
Our Best-Selling Appetizers
The five our guests order again and again.
★ Best Seller
White Wine Arancini Balls
Italian fried risotto balls filled with herbs, spices, white wine and mozzarella, served with marinara.
★ Best Seller
Stuffed Mushrooms
Filled with bacon, seasoned breadcrumbs and creamy gorgonzola.
★ Best Seller
Whiskey Glazed Bacon Wrapped Figs
Applewood-smoked bacon wrapped around figs with a whiskey glaze.
★ Best Seller
Mini Red Wine Meatballs
Pork or beef meatballs in Malbec wine sauce on crostini.
★ Best Seller
Mini Roasted Corn Elote Cups
Tortilla cups with roasted corn, queso fresco, chili mayo drizzle and cilantro.
Hot Bites
From the grill and the oven. Some are finished on-site, so a chef or server may be part of the plan.
Prime Rib Steak Bites
Rosemary-seasoned steak bites with Louisiana remoulade.
Filet Mignon Skewers in Pinot Noir Glaze
Filet mignon bites glazed with Pinot Noir sauce.
Filet Mignon Bacon Bites
Filet mignon wrapped in applewood-smoked bacon, with creamy horseradish or remoulade.
Stuffed Pickles
Cream cheese and cheddar-stuffed pickles wrapped in bacon and baked.
Roasted Jalapeno Peppers
Stuffed with bacon and Chihuahua cheese, topped with black pepper sour cream.
Bacon Cheese Balls
Cream cheese and cheddar rolled in bacon and chives, served with pretzel sticks.
Southern Style Mac & Cheese Fried Balls · priced with your quote
Creamy mac and cheese in a golden, crispy panko crust.
Idaho Potato Skins · priced with your quote
Loaded with melted cheddar, bacon, sour cream and green onions.
Traditional Crab Cakes · priced with your quote
Maryland-style crab cakes.
Sweet & Spicy Shrimp Skewers · priced with your quote
Shrimp and vegetables on a skewer, with sweet and spicy cocktail sauce.
Spanish Sausage in Spanish Red Wine Sauce
Sliced sausage simmered in a red wine sauce.
Mini Enchiladas · priced with your quote
Mini chicken enchiladas, spicy or non-spicy.
Mini Honey Lime Steak Tacos · priced with your quote
Seared mini carne asada tacos with a honey lime glaze on corn tortillas.
Pulled Chicken Sliders · priced with your quote
Pulled chicken in tangy BBQ sauce on mini buns with crisp coleslaw.
Italian Pasta Chips with Homemade Marinara
Bow-tie pasta chips with Italian herbs and Parmesan, served with marinara.
Crispy Carrot Fries
Baked carrot fries with lime chipotle mayo.
Roasted stuffed jalapeno peppers
Filet mignon skewers in Pinot Noir glaze
Cold & Fresh Bites
Ready to pass or set out the moment guests walk in.
Caprese Skewers
Roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil. Vegetarian and gluten-free.
Italian Antipasto Rollups
Salami rolled with cream cheese and pepperoncini. Keto-friendly.
California Chicken Avocado Rolls
Tortilla pinwheels with seasoned chicken, avocado, cheese and red pepper.
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Lemon-zested asparagus wrapped in prosciutto.
Chicken & Veggie Skewers · priced with your quote
Grilled and typically served cold, with sauce on the side.
Ceviche · priced with your quote
Citrus-marinated fresh seafood, cooked and served chilled.
Grilled Summer Fruit Skewers in Spiced Rum
Watermelon, pineapple, honeydew and peaches glazed with spiced rum, with a honey cinnamon dip. Can be made with fresh fruit, not grilled or glazed.
Caprese skewers
California chicken avocado rolls
Grilled summer fruit skewers in spiced rum
Buffet-Style Appetizer Bars
Set out, self-serve and easy to refill through the whole cocktail hour.
Homemade Bruschetta Bar
Build-your-own bruschetta with toppings like olive oil, feta, roasted garlic or mushroom.
Hummus & Pita Bar
Roasted garlic or roasted red pepper hummus with pita chips. Pair it with the pita bar.
Greek Dip with Pita Chips
Yogurt, feta and cream cheese dip.
Fresh Guacamole Buffet Bar
Tortilla chips, fresh guacamole, green and red salsa. Pair it with the taco bar.
Hand-Cut Veggie Trays
Carrots, cucumbers, celery and peppers, cut by hand fresh to order and served with homemade ranch. The Simple tray serves 8 to 10; the Chef’s tray serves 20 to 30.
Domestic Cheese Buffet Bar
Assorted American cheeses with crackers.
Artisan Cheese Buffet Bar
Chef’s choice of imported cheeses with crackers.
Fruit Trays
Priced with your quote
Fruit trays to set out alongside the veggie trays.
Fresh guacamole bar
Roasted red pepper hummus & pita chips
Hand-cut veggie tray
Fresh-cut fruit tray
Also available, priced with your quote: breakfast trays with bagels, donuts and more.
How It Works
Tell us about your event early
Date, guest count, venue, and whether a meal follows the cocktail hour. Advance notice is required because our chefs book events early.
A chef builds the menu
Pick from the list or ask for something you don’t see. You get a custom quote.
Delivered, set up or served
Drop-off and setup, or add a trained and insured Frato’s personal chef to serve on-site.
On-Time or It’s Free
More than 15 minutes late to your event and you don’t pay. Read the guarantee.
Build the Rest of the Menu
Hors d’oeuvres & salads quick list · Lunch & dinner menu · Wedding catering · Party & event catering · Holiday office parties · Brownies for dessert
Hors d’Oeuvres Catering FAQ
What hors d’oeuvres do you cater?
More than 35 hand-passed bites and buffet-style bars, from White Wine Arancini Balls and Whiskey Glazed Bacon Wrapped Figs to Filet Mignon Skewers, crab cakes, a bruschetta bar and artisan cheese. Every item is made from scratch in our Schaumburg kitchen.
Which appetizers are your best sellers?
White Wine Arancini Balls, Stuffed Mushrooms, Whiskey Glazed Bacon Wrapped Figs, Mini Red Wine Meatballs and Mini Roasted Corn Elote Cups.
Can a chef serve the hors d’oeuvres at my event?
Yes. You can add a fully trained and insured Frato’s personal chef to any catering. Some items are built on-site and need a chef or server, so tell us about your event and we will plan the service with you.
How many appetizers should I order?
It depends on your guest count, how long the cocktail hour runs and whether a meal follows. A chef recommends the right mix and amount when you request your quote.
Do you have vegetarian, gluten-free or keto options?
Yes. Caprese Skewers are vegetarian and gluten-free, Italian Antipasto Rollups are keto-friendly, and the vegetable, fruit, hummus, bruschetta and cheese bars give vegetarian guests plenty to choose from. Tell us your guests’ needs and the chef builds the menu around them.
How much notice do you need for hors d’oeuvres?
Advance notice is required. Our chefs book events early, and every one of these items is hand-crafted. Request your quote as early as you can and a chef will confirm availability for your date.
Can I order appetizers for a wedding cocktail hour or office party?
Yes. Hors d’oeuvres work for wedding cocktail hours, holiday and office parties, showers, graduations and corporate receptions. Add them to a full catering menu or order them on their own.
Plan Your Cocktail Hour
Tell us your date, guest count and venue. A chef builds the appetizer menu with you.
Call a chef: (847) 895-2122 · Catering@FratosKitchen.com
Frato’s Personal Chef Catering · 628 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, IL 60193 · Quick list · Full menu · Weddings