Understand BBQ Catering Packages
If you are exploring bbq catering packages in Melbourne, you are probably looking for something that is easy to organise, delicious, and reliable. The right package takes the stress out of feeding a crowd, whether you are planning a relaxed office lunch on the terrace or a full-scale corporate celebration.
At its simplest, a BBQ catering package is a set menu designed for groups. You choose a style, a price point, and a level of service, and your caterer handles the food, presentation, and much of the logistics. With a specialist like Your Private Chef in Melbourne, packages are designed to cover everything from casual burger bars to more gourmet mixed grills, so you can match the food to your event style.
What A Typical Package Includes
Most bbq catering packages are built so you do not have to think about the details. A well thought out package usually includes:
- A curated selection of meats, seafood, or vegetarian options
- Matching salads and sides
- Sauces and condiments
- Bread or buns
- Servingware such as plates, cutlery, and napkins
Some providers, such as Your Private Chef in Melbourne, go further and include BBQ platters, eco-friendly plates and bio cutlery, plus clear cooking or heating instructions if the food arrives chilled [1].
If you are just getting started with bbq catering, it helps to see packages as a bundle of decisions made for you. Instead of designing a menu from scratch, you choose one that already works.
Why Packages Work So Well For Businesses
For Melbourne businesses, time and predictability matter. Packages are popular because they:
- Remove guesswork about portions and menu mix
- Provide clear per-head pricing for budgets and approvals
- Make dietary planning easier
- Offer consistent quality for repeat events
When you find a provider you trust, such as a specialist in bbq catering melbourne, you can rebook quickly for future events with minor tweaks, instead of starting the catering conversation from the beginning each time.
Compare Different BBQ Catering Styles
Not all bbq catering packages are structured the same way. Looking at how other BBQ caterers build their menus and services helps you decide what you want from Your Private Chef or any partner you choose.
Service Style Options To Consider
Before you choose a menu, think about how you want guests to be served. Across the industry, you will usually see four main approaches.
1. Full Service Catering
With full service catering, the provider brings the food, sets everything up, and typically stays onsite to serve and replenish. For example, Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q in the United States offers full-service packages with slow smoked meats, homemade sides, dedicated staff, and buffet setup and maintenance [2].
For your Melbourne event, this style is ideal when:
- You want a polished experience with minimal staff involvement
- You are hosting clients or senior stakeholders
- Timing is tight and you cannot spare team members to manage food
Your Private Chef offers full catered BBQ options, such as “The Let’s Celebrate Gourmet Barbeque”, where you can have chefs cooking on site for a true event feel [3].
2. Delivery And Setup
Some caterers deliver the food ready to serve, set up a buffet, then leave you to handle the rest. ResQ BBQ, for instance, offers Delivery & Set up for a flexible DIY buffet option [4].
For Melbourne workplaces, this suits:
- Team lunches in office kitchens or breakout spaces
- Budget conscious events where you can provide your own servers
- Smaller meetings where guests are comfortable helping themselves
Your Private Chef offers BBQ packages delivered either hot and ready or chilled with cooking instructions, so you can choose how hands-on you want to be [3].
3. Pickup Only
Pickup options are the simplest. The caterer prepares everything and you collect it. In the US, City Barbeque and R&R BBQ both offer pickup-friendly packages that include meats, sides, sauce, and disposable plates and utensils [5] [6].
For a Melbourne business, this can work when:
- You are very close to your caterer
- You are comfortable handling timing, storage, and setup
- You have staff available to organise the food on arrival
If you prefer to focus on your guests rather than logistics, delivery based melbourne bbq catering may be a better fit.
4. Food Trailer Or Live Stations
Some BBQ specialists offer food trailers or on site grilling. ResQ BBQ has a food trailer, while Redemption BBQ in Virginia can set up “Backyard Barbecue” events and even pig roasts for large crowds [4] [7].
In Melbourne, Your Private Chef creates a similar sense of theatre with hot food stations such as a Souvlaki Bar or Mexican Burrito Bar, plus options like The Burger Bar for interactive service [3]. These are perfect when you want your BBQ to be a focal point, not just a meal.
Explore Package Types And Menus
Once you know how you want food served, you can look at the actual contents of bbq catering packages. Providers around the world follow similar patterns that you can use as a guide when reviewing menus from Your Private Chef.
Meat Focused Packages
Traditional BBQ packages often revolve around smoked meats and classic sides. For example:
- City Barbeque offers packages where you choose two smoked meats and two or three sides, with buns, pickles, jalapeños, and a trio of sauces included [5].
- R&R BBQ’s popular “Founders’ Buffet” includes three meats, two sides, dessert, rolls, and all serving essentials [6].
Your Private Chef’s BBQ platters follow the same principle, with generous selections of:
- Lamb and rosemary sausages
- Chef’s Angus beef sausages (gluten free)
- Grass fed mini porterhouse fillet steaks
- Tuscan chicken thigh skewers
- Croatian Cevapi in mini brioche buns with ajvar relish
- Brioche mini burger buns filled with pulled beef brisket in cola BBQ sauce and spiced slaw
These platters are designed to feed around 20 people per pack, making it very simple to scale up for larger offices or multiple departments [1].
Mixed Grill And Gourmet Options
If your event needs more of a “wow” factor, look for gourmet BBQ packages that go beyond standard sausages and burgers. Your Private Chef’s Mediterrano Pack, for instance, brings a Southern European feel with a mixed grill and salads, along with speciality condiments and Tuscan parmesan pita chips [1].
Gourmet style packages work well when:
- You are hosting clients or partners
- You want food to double as a talking point
- Your team appreciates higher end ingredients and presentation
Vegetarian, Vegan, And Gluten Free Choices
Modern BBQ catering must consider varied dietary needs. ResQ BBQ highlights smoked jackfruit as a vegan alternative to classic meats [4], while Your Private Chef includes:
- Vegan black bean, pumpkin, and red lentil patties (v, gf)
- Gluten free Angus beef sausages
- Dairy free options such as Tuscan chicken thigh skewers
Choosing packages with clearly labelled options makes life much easier when you are catering for a mixed office. When you speak to Your Private Chef about catering bbq melbourne, ask for help balancing standard and dietary friendly options so nobody is left with only a salad.
Breakfast, Burgers, And Themed Bars
You are not limited to lunch or dinner. Your Private Chef’s BBQ packages include:
- “The Big Breakfast BBQ” for early morning events
- “The Burger Bar” for casual staff gatherings
- Themed hot food stations such as a Souvlaki Bar or Mexican Burrito Bar
Using a themed package can make internal events more memorable. For example, a Souvlaki Bar can be a fun fit for a product launch, while a Big Breakfast BBQ might be ideal for a company wide town hall or training day [3].
Calculate How Much Food You Need
Getting quantities right is one of the most stressful parts of catering for a bbq. The benefit of set bbq catering packages is that portion planning has already been done for you, but it still helps to understand the logic behind the numbers.
Industry Guidelines For Portions
Research from The Smokehouse Grill in the US suggests that for 100 people at a BBQ event, you might need approximately:
- 75 kilograms of raw brisket to allow for cooking loss
- 70 kilograms of raw pork shoulder for pulled pork
- 40 kilograms of raw chicken thighs [8]
They also note popular menu combinations like brisket, pulled pork, chicken, and sausage, with sides such as potato salad, coleslaw, beans, and mac and cheese, plus classic desserts like banana pudding and peach cobbler [8].
In practice, most Melbourne businesses will not want to calculate kilos of raw meat. That is why pre sized packs such as Your Private Chef’s Small, Medium, or “serves 20” BBQ platters are so helpful. You simply:
- Count your guests
- Decide your serving style (light lunch, full meal, or feast)
- Multiply the number of packs
If you have 60 staff and choose a platter that serves 20, ordering three packs is a safe starting point. Your Private Chef can then recommend whether to add extra salad or dessert based on your event timing and whether people will be drinking.
Balancing Mains, Sides, And Desserts
A well structured BBQ menu usually follows this pattern:
- 2 to 3 meat or main options
- 2 to 3 sides or salads
- 1 dessert option, or a platter of sweets
City Barbeque uses a similar model in their packages, offering two meats, two or three sides, and sometimes a dessert, all bundled together [5].
Your Private Chef’s packages take care of this balance for you. For example, The Get Together BBQ option is built to be a complete meal, not just a collection of items, so you avoid accidentally doubling up too many rich sides or forgetting something important like bread or sauces [3].
Set A Realistic BBQ Catering Budget
Once you have an idea of food quantities, you can turn to costs. For Melbourne businesses planning bbq catering for parties or corporate events, clear budgeting keeps approvals smooth.
Typical Cost Ranges For 100 People
The Smokehouse Grill outlines typical price bands for BBQ catering for 100 people in the United States:
- Basic menu: 15 to 20 dollars per person, total 1,500 to 2,000 dollars
- Mid range menu: 25 to 35 dollars per person, total 2,500 to 3,500 dollars
- Premium menu: 40 to 50 dollars per person, total 4,000 to 5,000 dollars [8]
While local Melbourne prices will vary, the structure is similar. The more premium the ingredients and the more service involved, the higher the per head cost.
In practice, your cost with Your Private Chef will depend on:
- Which BBQ package you select
- Whether food arrives ready to eat or with chefs onsite
- The number of guests and any dietary adjustments
It is often easier to start with your budget per person, for example 35 dollars per head, and ask which packages fit, rather than pricing each element separately.
Extra Costs To Look Out For
Beyond the food itself, The Smokehouse Grill highlights several extras that can affect your total:
- Service fees for buffet, plated, or on site grilling
- Travel fees for caterers
- Specialty food stations such as carving stations or taco bars
- Table or equipment rentals
- Gratuities, depending on your event style [8]
When you request a quote from Your Private Chef for catering for bbq party or a larger corporate function, ask for a line item breakdown so you know exactly what is included. Clear proposals make it easier to compare options for party catering bbq and demonstrate value to stakeholders.
Match Packages To Different Event Types
The best bbq catering packages are those that match the purpose and mood of your event. A team thank you lunch, for example, feels very different to a formal client launch, even if both feature grilled food.
Casual Office Lunches And Team Days
For relaxed internal events, you want food that is easy to eat, comforting, and not overly formal. Good options include:
- The Burger Bar from Your Private Chef, where staff can build their own burgers
- Mixed sausage and steak platters with simple salads
- Breakfast BBQ packages for early meetings or training days [3]
Here, convenience is key. Delivery or a simple buffet style setup works well. Choosing a provider that knows bbq catering near me and understands local traffic and timing helps ensure food arrives on time and at the right temperature.
Client Meetings And Networking Events
When you are hosting clients or partners, presentation matters as much as flavour. Look for:
- Gourmet mixed grill packages, such as the Mediterrano Pack with premium meats and salads
- Themed food stations that encourage mingling, like a Souvlaki Bar
- Desserts that feel a bit special, for example mini sweets or fruit platters alongside the BBQ [1]
In these cases, full service catering or at least a staffed buffet can make the event feel more polished.
Large Corporate Parties And Celebrations
For big functions or end of year parties, scale and variety are your main considerations. International examples such as Redemption BBQ’s pig roasts feeding around 100 people, or City Barbeque’s packages for 100 wings and multiple side pans, show what large scale BBQ can look like [7] [5].
In Melbourne, a combination of:
- Multiple BBQ platters for mains
- Several salad and side options
- A dessert buffet
- One or two themed hot stations
can comfortably feed a large guest list while keeping queues down. Your Private Chef can recommend how many stations and staff you need based on your venue and schedule.
Hybrid And Remote Friendly Events
If your team is spread across locations or working remotely, individually packed meals can help. R&R BBQ’s “BBQ in a Box” concept is a good example of this approach, with single serve boxes that include everything from mains to utensils [6].
You can adapt this idea in Melbourne by asking Your Private Chef for:
- Individually portioned burger boxes
- Personal BBQ platters with clear dietary labelling
- Easy to distribute breakfast BBQ packs for training sessions
This is particularly useful when you need to feed staff across multiple floors or small offices without creating large buffet queues.
Choose The Right BBQ Caterer In Melbourne
With so many options, choosing a caterer can feel like the hardest part. If you are searching for bbq catering melbourne or melbourne bbq catering, there are a few key criteria to check.
Experience With Business Events
Not every BBQ provider is used to corporate needs. Look for a caterer that:
- Regularly serves offices, conferences, and corporate parties
- Understands delivery windows and building access requirements
- Can provide clear documentation for approvals and compliance
Your Private Chef is set up specifically for event and corporate catering in Melbourne, with structured BBQ packages and platters designed for professional settings [3].
Menu Flexibility And Dietary Support
A good partner makes it easy to adjust a package for:
- Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free needs
- Cultural or religious preferences
- Non alcoholic events or early morning schedules
Your Private Chef’s menus are built with flexibility in mind, from vegan lentil patties and gluten free sausages to dairy free chicken skewers. When you enquire, share your guest profile so they can suggest the most suitable combinations.
Convenience And Service Level
Finally, consider how much help you want on the day. Ask potential caterers:
- Do you deliver hot, chilled, or both
- Is setup included
- Can you provide chefs or service staff
- What equipment or serving utensils do I need to provide
With Your Private Chef, each BBQ catering order includes plates, cutlery, and napkins. In most cases, you only need to bring tongs and serving spoons if you are handling service yourself [3].
Plan Your BBQ Catering Step By Step
To bring everything together, here is a practical way to plan bbq catering packages for your next Melbourne business event.
1. Clarify Your Event Details
Write down:
- Date, time, and venue
- Number of guests and how “hungry” they are likely to be
- Purpose and tone of the event, from casual to formal
- Any must have dietary or cultural requirements
This helps you (and your caterer) avoid guesswork later.
2. Decide On Service Style
Using the earlier categories, choose one:
- Delivery and simple buffet
- Full service with staff
- Themed stations or live BBQ
For most office based bbq catering for parties, delivery and buffet works well. For milestone celebrations or VIP events, full service creates a stronger impression.
3. Shortlist Suitable Packages
Browse Your Private Chef’s:
- BBQ platters for easy “serves 20” bundles
- BBQ packages such as The Get Together BBQ or The Burger Bar
- Themed hot stations if you want something interactive
Make a short list of two or three combinations that fit your budget and mood [1].
4. Check Quantities And Budget
Next, check:
- How many guests each package serves
- Price per head once scaled up
- Any extra costs for staff, travel, or equipment
Compare your options side by side. If you are balancing several quotes or exploring other bbq catering near me providers, make sure you are comparing like with like in terms of service level and inclusions.
5. Confirm Dietary And Logistics Details
Before you confirm your booking:
- Provide a clear count of dietary requirements
- Confirm delivery, access instructions, and onsite contact details
- Ask about timing buffers so food arrives in the ideal window
- Clarify what you need to provide, such as tongs or serving tables
A quick 10 minute phone or email exchange with Your Private Chef at this stage can prevent rushed decisions or surprises on the day.
Key Takeaways
- BBQ catering packages simplify event planning by bundling food, sides, and servingware.
- Looking at how global caterers structure menus and costs can help you understand what you need, even if you are booking locally.
- Your Private Chef in Melbourne offers flexible BBQ platters and packages, from casual burger bars to gourmet mixed grills, plus breakfast and themed stations.
- Clear per head pricing, realistic portion sizes, and attention to dietary needs are essential for successful corporate catering.
- For your next event in Melbourne, start with your guest list, event style, and budget, then choose the bbq catering packages that match, using a trusted local partner to handle the rest.
