BBQ Catering for Your Summer Company Party

Guide
Written By John Hatcher

Summer in the Pacific Northwest means long daylight hours, warm weather, and the perfect opportunity to bring your team together outdoors. A company BBQ is more than just lunch—it's a chance to celebrate your people, build morale, and create memories that carry into the workday.

At Café Pacific Catering, we've been serving summer company parties across the Puget Sound for 35 years. We know what makes a great BBQ: fresh-grilled food, seamless service, and one less thing for you to worry about.

Why BBQ Catering Works for Company Parties

There's something about BBQ that breaks down walls. Maybe it's the smoky aroma, the casual serving style, or the fact that everyone can find something they love on the menu. Whatever the reason, BBQ catering brings people together in a way few other meal formats can.

When you're planning a summer company party, you're juggling RSVPs, entertainment, venue logistics, and a dozen other details. Food shouldn't add stress to that list. That's where professional BBQ catering comes in—crafted with care, delivered with ease, and served with pride.

Our team has catered everything from intimate team lunches to company-wide celebrations across King & Pierce Counties. We handle the grilling, the setup, the service, and the cleanup. You handle the celebrating.

Close up of BBQ Ribs Smothered in Sauce

What's on a Company BBQ Menu?

BBQ catering isn't just burgers and hot dogs (though we do those exceptionally well). A thoughtfully crafted menu offers variety, accommodates different preferences, and keeps your team satisfied all afternoon.

The Classics

Every great BBQ starts with the essentials:

  • Grilled proteins — Juicy burgers, marinated chicken, BBQ ribs, grilled sausages
  • Fresh sides — Coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, seasonal vegetables
  • Fixings and condiments — All the toppings your team needs to build their perfect plate

Click Here to explore our Picnic and BBQ menus!

Beyond the Basics

We can elevate your company BBQ with options that go beyond traditional picnic fare:

  • Grilled salmon and seafood options
  • Vegetarian and plant-based proteins
  • Seasonal salads with local ingredients

Special dietary needs? We accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and other requirements so everyone at your company party can enjoy the meal.

Service Styles That Fit Your Event

Not every company BBQ looks the same. Maybe you're hosting 50 team members at a local park, or maybe you're planning a 200-person celebration at your office campus The service style should match your setting and goals.

Full-Service BBQ Catering

Our most popular option for company parties. Our team arrives early, sets up the grills and serving stations, prepares everything fresh on-site, serves your guests, and handles all cleanup. You and your team simply show up and enjoy.

This works beautifully for:

  • Company picnics at parks or outdoor venues
  • Office parking lot celebrations
  • Team-building events with activities and food

Drop-Off Catering

For smaller teams or more casual gatherings, we can deliver fully prepared BBQ that's ready to serve. Everything arrives hot, beautifully packaged, with serving utensils and instructions. Your team sets up buffet-style and digs in.

This option offers flexibility if you have staff who want to be involved in the setup or if your event includes other activities before the meal.

Planning Your Summer Company BBQ

Start early. Summer is our busiest season, and the best dates fill up quickly—especially June through August. For company parties, we recommend reaching out 2-4 weeks in advance, though we can often accommodate shorter timelines if our schedule allows.

Questions to Consider

When you reach out to us, we'll ask about:

  • Guest count — How many team members are you feeding?
  • Date and timing — When's the party, and what time should we serve?
  • Location — Where are you hosting? (We serve throughout the greater Puget Sound)
  • Dietary needs — Any allergies, restrictions, or preferences we should know about?
  • Budget — We'll work with you to create a menu that fits your investment

Our Sr. Event Director Polly Ann Buis and Event Director Diana Bergseth have decades of combined experience planning company events. They'll guide you through the menu selections, answer your questions, and make sure every detail is covered.

What Makes a Company BBQ Memorable

We've catered hundreds of summer company parties. The ones people remember aren't necessarily the biggest or most expensive—they're the ones where people felt relaxed, included, and appreciated.

Here's what makes the difference:

Abundant food. Nobody should worry about running out. We plan portions to ensure everyone gets seconds if they want them.

Thoughtful variety. When you're feeding a diverse team, options matter. From the meat-lovers to the vegetarians, everyone should find something delicious.

Seamless service. Your team shouldn't see the work happening behind the scenes. That's our job.

Fresh preparation. BBQ tastes better when it's grilled on-site. The aroma alone creates atmosphere.

BBQ Catering Across the Puget Sound

Based in Auburn, WA, we serve company parties throughout the region—from Seattle to Tacoma, Bellevue to Federal Way, and the surrounding communities in between.

We know the local parks, the office complexes, the venues where teams gather. We've grilled in parking lots, at lakeside parks, and in fields. Our team has worked in the Pacific Northwest for over three decades, so we know how to plan for everything from unexpected rain to last-minute guest count changes.

Beyond the BBQ: Complete Event Support

While food is our focus (because at Café Pacific, it's about the food), we can coordinate additional services to make your company party complete:

  • Beverage service — Coffee, iced tea, lemonade, mocktails, or bar service
  • Dessert options — Fresh-baked cookies, seasonal fruit, pies, or custom desserts
  • Serving staff — Professional team members who keep stations stocked and spaces tidy
  • Rental coordination — We can arrange tables, chairs, tents, and linens if needed

Our goal is to remove the stress so you can focus on your team.

The Café Pacific Difference

We're family-owned. John & Amy Hatcher started this business in 1989, and that foundation of care and consistency runs through everything we do.

Our kitchen is led by Head Chef Miguel Roman, a two-decade veteran who brings both skill and pride to every meal. When you book BBQ catering with us, you're working with a team that's fed thousands of company gatherings—and we still treat each one like it matters.

Because it does.

Let's Get Planning

Your summer company party should be the highlight of the season—not another task on your to-do list. We'll handle the food so you can focus on your people.

Ready to start planning your BBQ? Call us at (253) 852-0135 or email info@cafepacific.com. Our team is eager to help create a stress-free, delicious celebration your team will talk about long after the last burger is gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should we book summer BBQ catering?

For summer company parties, book 2-4 weeks in advance when possible. June through August dates fill quickly, so earlier is better. We can sometimes accommodate last-minute requests—reach out and we'll let you know what's available.

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions and food allergies?

Yes. We regularly prepare vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options for company events. Let us know about allergies and dietary needs when booking, and we'll ensure everyone has safe, delicious options to enjoy.

Do you provide grills and cooking equipment?

Yes. For full-service BBQ catering, we bring all grills, cooking equipment, serving stations, and utensils. We arrive early to set up, grill everything fresh on-site, and handle all breakdown and cleanup after the event.

What areas do you serve for company BBQ catering?

We serve the greater Puget Sound region including Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Auburn, Federal Way, and surrounding King & Pierce County communities. Our team is based in Auburn and travels throughout the region for company events.

What's included in full-service BBQ catering?

Full-service includes menu planning, grocery shopping, on-site grilling and food preparation, serving stations, professional staff, all serving equipment and utensils, and complete cleanup. You provide the venue and guests—we provide everything else.

John Hatcher