Picnic catering: boxed lunches, trays and what to plan for outdoors
Picnic catering for 40 runs $580 in Basic Boxed Lunches at $14.50 each, or $795.34 with lemonade and watermelon, tax included. What to plan for a park.
By the Upper Crust Catering kitchen
For picnic catering, the simplest order is a Basic Boxed Lunch at $14.50 each, with a 20-box minimum. For 40 people that is $580. Add a drink order and a watermelon platter and the whole picnic is $728 before tax, or $795.34 with 9.25% sales tax. If you want to serve from trays instead, cold platters travel well.
Two ways to cater a picnic
Boxed lunches. Each guest gets their own box, individually boxed on fresh baked French rolls. They are made for offices, crews and teams, and work the same way at a park. There is nothing to serve and nothing to keep warm. Basic is $14.50, the Executive Boxed Lunch is $16.50, and the Executive Chef's Chopped Salad is $17.50 and gluten-free. See all of them on the boxed lunches menu.
Cold trays. Good for groups that want to graze. Pick from:
- Sandwich Platter, $79
- Pinwheel Sandwiches, 60 pieces, $79
- Assorted Finger Sandwiches, 60 pieces, $89
- Watermelon Wedge Platter, 40 to 45 pieces, $59
Add Potato Salad at $49 and Creamy Cole Slaw at $55 for sides. Hot food is possible, but you need chafing dishes and a power or heat source at the park.
A picnic for 40
- 40 Basic Boxed Lunches at $14.50: $580
- 1 Iced Tea, Punch or Lemonade, 50 servings, cups included: $89
- 1 Watermelon Wedge Platter, 40 to 45 pieces: $59
Total $728, or $18.20 a person. Tax is $67.34, so the total is $795.34. If you want lighter, skip the lemonade and order Bottled Water at $2.49 each.
What to plan for outdoors
- Heat. Keep cold food cold. Bring a cooler or plan to set things out right before serving.
- Shade and tables. Ask the park what a pavilion includes. A picnic needs a table to put food on.
- Trash. Bring bags. Boxes are easy to pack out.
- Wasps and wind. Cover trays when nobody is in line, and weigh down napkins.
- Drinks. Plan one drink per person at minimum, and more on a hot day.
- Weather. Either party may cancel with 24 hours' notice for severe weather, and your deposit may be applied to a rescheduled date within 365 days.
Where we deliver
Pick up at the kitchen in Yorkville, or ask for delivery to a park. Delivery is quoted when you order. We deliver to Aurora, Plainfield, Naperville and the other towns on our service list, including Oswego. Give us the park name, the pavilion or shelter number, a phone number for the day, and a note on parking.
More picnic ideas
If your picnic is part of a birthday, see party food catering for birthdays, picnics and backyard parties. For a company picnic with hot food, see drop-off catering and our trays menu. Ask for a quote or call (630) 553-9533.
Questions
How much does picnic catering cost?
Boxed lunches start at $14.50 each with a 20-box minimum. Trays have no minimum.
How far ahead do I order?
About three days for standard orders.
Can you deliver to a park?
Yes. Delivery is quoted when you order, and we need the exact spot and a phone number for the day.
Drop-off catering and party trays, priced per tray
