When it’s summer in Florida, parties tend to head outdoors! Who doesn’t love sitting in under a shady tree with friends and family, with a plate of tasty food and a refreshing drink in hand? But who wants to be the one sweating by the grill or worrying about event details? When you hire Catering By The Family (CBTF) for your outdoor event, you can really relax and enjoy the party!

CBTF and Cookout America have proudly served the Tampa Bay Area for almost four decades, bringing our down-home barbecue flavor to employee picnics, birthdays, family reunions, and even beachfront weddings!

From juicy burgers to smoked pulled pork, check out all of the mouth-watering BBQ Menus to add sizzle to your next summer event. You can totally customize your own BBQ menu or choose from one of our preset packages. Food will be delivered to your event ready to serve, or, for an extra special touch, one of our professional chefs can even cook for you at your location! All of our menus also include covered buffet tables, chafing dishes, and disposable eating ware for your convenience.

Besides hiring CBTF to handle the cooking, here are some more tips for a great BBQ event:

1. Plan in advance. For a larger event like a corporate picnic or a big family reunion, book at least six months in advance to make sure you can secure your favorite vendors and venue. A smaller outdoor event may not require quite as much planning time, but we prefer as much notice as possible to help you host the best BBQ possible!

2. Count your guests. For food orders and rentals, you’ll need an approximate head count of your guests.

3. Consider food restrictions. Ask your guests if they have any allergies or dietary preferences. We can work with you to provide vegan and allergy-free options. After all, there’s nothing worse than a hungry, disappointed guest!

4. Know what’s included at your venue. When you rent a venue, you want to check what amenities it comes with. Ask about access to power sources, covered areas, tables, and chairs, for a start. Also, make sure you have an in-door back-up space, in case your party gets caught in a summer storm.

One of our favorite outdoor venues in Tampa Bay can be found at the Mary Help of Christians Center (6400 E. Chelsea St., Tampa, FL 33610). With an idyllic, tree-studded setting next to East Lake, amenities include a spacious covered area and ample seating. In fact, CBTF has created a special events package to benefit the church, encouraging people to rent the venue space, providing on-site catering through CBTF, and donating back a percentage of each catering order.

If you’re planning a summer gathering, give us a call at 813-875-2000.
We are excited about the opportunity to serve you!