Business Details
37 Years
experience
Your Trusted Catering Partner in Colorado Springs
Founded in 1989, Picnic Basket Catering has established itself as a premier catering service in Colorado Springs, dedicated to delivering exceptional culinary experiences. Our company operates three distinct divisionsPicnic Basket Catering, Buffalo Gals Grilling Co., and Cravings Catering & Five Star Eventsto meet diverse client needs. With over 30 years of expertise, we specialize in crafting menus using locally sourced, non-GMO ingredients, ensuring every event reflects our commitment to quality and authenticity. Our team of seasoned professionals has facilitated more than 2,147 events annually, serving over 135,000 guests across the Front Range and Pikes Peak Region. Recognized as the Best Catering Company in Colorado Springs for two decades, we combine culinary innovation with personalized service to create unforgettable moments.Our progressive, family-oriented culture drives our dedication to community involvement, sustainability, and client satisfaction. Led by co-founders Michelle Talarico and Kathy Dreiling, we maintain active roles in local organizations while continuously adapting to industry trends. From intimate gatherings to large-scale galas, our focus remains on exceeding expectations through attention to detail, creative presentation, and reliable execution. This enduring commitment to excellence has earned us a loyal clientele and numerous industry accolades, including recognition in The Knot Best of Weddings and Colorado Biz magazine.
Services
Corporate Catering
Wedding Catering
Social Events
Buffalo Gals Grilling
Custom Menus
Event Planning
Offsite Catering
Gourmet Delivery
Venue Coordination
Seasonal Menus
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- Over 30 years of experience in catering services across Colorado Springs
- Three specialized divisions for diverse event requirements
- Commitment to locally sourced, non-GMO ingredients
- Award-winning service recognized for 20 consecutive years
- Customizable solutions for events from 10 to 1,000+ guests
What people say
Delicious food
Exceptional service
Professional staff
Creative presentations
Reliable execution
Services
Corporate Catering
We provide tailored catering solutions for corporate functions, including breakfast meetings, luncheons, and executive events. Our menus feature fresh, locally sourced dishes designed to impress professional guests while accommodating dietary preferences. With experience serving 105+ attendees at major companies, we ensure timely delivery and professional presentation for any workplace gathering.
Wedding Catering
Our wedding catering combines gourmet cuisine with personalized service for ceremonies and receptions. From intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, we create custom menus featuring signature dishes like our award-winning tri-tip. With dedicated event planners and experienced staff, we coordinate every detail to ensure your special day exceeds expectations while maintaining seamless execution.
Buffalo Gals Grilling
This division specializes in Santa Maria-style barbecues featuring Certified Angus Beef and wild game cooked over red oak. Ideal for mountain venues or rustic outdoor events, our mobile grilling service brings interactive culinary experiences directly to your location. Custom-built grills and Colorado-themed presentations create memorable dining moments for weddings and large gatherings.
Custom Menus
We develop bespoke menus tailored to client preferences, dietary restrictions, and event themes. Our culinary team incorporates seasonal ingredients and creative twists on traditional American cuisine while maintaining affordability. From cocktail parties to multi-course dinners, we collaborate closely with clients to create unique dining experiences that reflect their vision.
Event Planning
Beyond catering, we offer comprehensive event planning services including venue selection, rentals, staffing, and entertainment coordination. Our experienced planners manage logistics for events ranging from small dinners to thousand-guest galas. This full-service approach ensures cohesive execution while reducing client stress through expert oversight of all event components.
People
Michelle Talarico
Owner/Co-Founder
Co-founder with 30+ years in hospitality, Michelle leads as company spokesperson and community leader. She manages operations, serves on multiple local boards, and focuses on client relations while maintaining a progressive business approach.
Kathy Dreiling
Owner/Co-Founder
Co-founder Kathy combines culinary expertise with financial management. A former professional musician, she oversees marketing and event execution while personally participating in grilling services and client consultations.
Merle Taylor
Director of Finance and Human Resources
Merle manages financial operations and staff development, ensuring organizational stability. With extensive experience in business administration, she plays a key role in maintaining the company's progressive workplace culture.
Geri Hunt
Director of Culinary
Geri leads culinary operations, maintaining food quality standards across all divisions. She oversees menu development and kitchen staff, ensuring consistent execution of both traditional and innovative dishes for every event.
Jennifer Chowning
Director of Operations
Jennifer manages day-to-day operations, coordinating between departments to ensure smooth service delivery. Her leadership focuses on maintaining operational efficiency while upholding the company's high service standards.
Questions
What types of events do you cater?
We cater weddings, corporate events, social gatherings, VIP functions, and special celebrations for 10 to 1,000+ guests.
Do you serve areas outside Colorado Springs?
Yes, we serve the entire Front Range and Pikes Peak Region, including mountain venues and remote locations.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, our menus include options for various dietary needs including vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly dishes.
Do you provide event planning services?
Yes, we offer full-service event planning including venue selection, rentals, staffing, and entertainment coordination.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept major credit cards, bank transfers, and checks for event payments and deposits.
Are you available for last-minute events?
While we recommend advance booking, we'll accommodate urgent requests when possible with 48-hour notice.
Reviews (6)
Lauren Song
Jun 17, 2022
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We love picnic basket catering! Michelle is amazing to work with. We've ordered meals for our family holiday dinners as well as a catered meal for a 40th celebration dinner party. All of the food is delicious!
Michael Lundquist
Jun 10, 2022
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Everyone at our wedding loved the food and the plated service was perfect! Best wedding food I've had IMO. They made the trip out to Buena Vista for our wedding and made it truly special! Affordable for how good of quality they are. Thanks Buff Gals and Brandon Schrank for managing it all!
Michael Wahl
Jun 09, 2022
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Just arrived home from our daughter's event, and the Picnic Basket staff made our day even more SPECIAL. Can't say enough about the them going out of their way to make this day absolutely flawless! The tables looked beautiful, the staff were professional and friendly in every way. They treated everyone extremely well, and all of the guests enjoyed every single bite of the INCREDIBLE FOOD! All went back for seconds, and they loaded their plates and were talking about how delicious it all was. Lauren, the catering manager, far exceeded our expectations and even showed up to make sure that everything was placed just right. Picnic Basket is TRULY an incredibly wonderful caterer.
They catered our parents 50th wedding anniversary in 1996, and it was lovely and perfect back then and equally as lovely this time around. Honest, caring and awesome people here (and very talented chefs) will make your event one to remember for a lifetime. Too bad Google does not have a ten star rating system.because hands down, that is what you definitely would earn! THANK YOU!
They catered our parents 50th wedding anniversary in 1996, and it was lovely and perfect back then and equally as lovely this time around. Honest, caring and awesome people here (and very talented chefs) will make your event one to remember for a lifetime. Too bad Google does not have a ten star rating system.because hands down, that is what you definitely would earn! THANK YOU!
Peggy B.
May 26, 2022
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Absolutely recommend! Delicious food, very generous portions, and extremely understanding when a sudden medical situation threw off my pick up schedule. I regret not taking a picture of the spread but it was so amazing! You cannot go wrong using this caterer!
Raven Rodriguez
Mar 27, 2022
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Got catering for my wedding, 20 people for $2400. Very pricey, and you don't get much food. The fruit tray, spinach dip, and southwest empanadas were good, but the hot honey mustard ham sandwiches were horrible. And the ham sandwiches were $150 for 3 dozen. The 8oz filet was good, but the shrimp skewer that was $8 a person had only 2 cold shrimp on it. The mashed potatoes were really good, but maybe only about 4 bites worth.
And those were $80. We paid $80 for 'unlimited drinks', and there was a black tub of about 8 - 10 drinks by the entrance. That's it. No coke, no dr pepper, nothing that we drink. Other than that, the customer service was excellent, and our two servers were awesome. Very polite, very professional, and awesome at their job.
And those were $80. We paid $80 for 'unlimited drinks', and there was a black tub of about 8 - 10 drinks by the entrance. That's it. No coke, no dr pepper, nothing that we drink. Other than that, the customer service was excellent, and our two servers were awesome. Very polite, very professional, and awesome at their job.
Amber Meyer
Feb 23, 2022
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1000/10 recommend! From when I first contacted them to the day of my wedding working with them was a dream! They ensured everything went perfect, the food was DELICIOUS! We used them for both our rehearsal dinner and wedding reception. People were RAVING about the food! Not to mention all of the staff was so helpful and kind constantly checking in on me and my groom to make sure we were okay and asking if we needed anything! I couldn't be happier with how everything turned out!
