Frequently
Asked Questions

BBQZilla is our signature on-site BBQ experience. The standard menu includes:

• Freshly grilled beef burgers and chicken breasts
• Veggie/plant-based burger option
• Premium buns, condiments, and toppings bar
• Two sides (e.g. coleslaw, pasta salad, corn on the cob)
• Soft drinks and water
• Full grill setup, staffing, and cleanup

Popular add-ons include hot dogs, additional proteins (steak, ribs), premium sides, and extended grilling time. See the BBQZilla page for the full menu and add-on list.

PastaZilla offers six Italian-inspired styles. You choose up to two styles per booking:

• Classic Marinara (tomato, garlic, fresh basil)
• Creamy Rosé (tomato cream, Parmesan)
• Pesto Primavera (basil pesto, roasted vegetables)
• Arrabbiata (spicy tomato, olives, capers)
• Aglio e Olio (garlic, olive oil, parsley)
• Ricotta & Spinach (creamy white sauce, spinach)

All styles are available in penne or rotini. Gluten-free pasta is available as an add-on. Every booking includes rustic bread and Italian soda for all guests.

SaladZilla delivers four signature salads in large tin pans — each sized for the number of guests you're feeding. The four salads are:

• The Classic Caesar — Romaine, house dressing, croutons, Parmesan (dressing on side)
• Mediterranean Crunch — Cucumber, tomato, red onion, olives, feta, lemon vinaigrette
• Roasted Veggie Grain Bowl — Quinoa, roasted peppers, chickpeas, tahini
• Asian Sesame Slaw — Purple cabbage, edamame, carrots, sesame ginger dressing

All four are included in the standard $18/pp price. Dressings are served separately so guests can dress their own plates.

Yes — within each menu there's significant flexibility. You can swap proteins, request specific sides, add or remove items, and request custom quantities per item. For very large events or corporate clients with specific requirements, we can also build a fully custom menu proposal. Just describe what you're looking for in your quote request and we'll work with you.

We always portion generously. Our standard is:

• BBQZilla — 2 proteins per person (e.g. one burger + one chicken), full sides portion
• PastaZilla — approximately 300g plated portion, unlimited bread
• SaladZilla — all four salads fully stocked for the group, enough for 1–2 generous servings each

If your group are big eaters, just let us know when booking — we'd rather have extra than have anyone go hungry.

Yes — we bring everything: serving utensils, tongs, chafing dishes (for pasta and salads), napkins, and disposable plates and cutlery. If you prefer real plates and cutlery, we can arrange rentals — just ask. For BBQZilla on-site service, we also bring the full grill setup, propane, and all cooking equipment.

For events of 100 guests or more, we offer a complimentary tasting session at our kitchen in Toronto. For smaller events, we're happy to provide references from past clients with similar event types. Contact us to arrange a tasting or get references.

We serve all locations within 100km of Toronto, including:

• Greater Toronto Area (all neighborhoods)
• Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill
• Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton
• Barrie, Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby
• Guelph, Kitchener, and surrounding areas

For events beyond 100km, contact us — we may be able to accommodate depending on availability and logistics.

Our setup time depends on the service type:

• BBQZilla on-site — We arrive 90 minutes before service start to set up grills, equipment, and stations
• PastaZilla buffet — 45–60 minutes before service to set up chafing dishes and buffet stations
• SaladZilla drop-off — Delivered 30–45 minutes before you need it served, ready to go

We coordinate setup times with you during booking confirmation so there are no surprises.

Requirements vary by service:

• BBQZilla — Outdoor or well-ventilated space for grills, access to the area 90 min before service, nearby vehicle access for equipment unloading
• PastaZilla — Access to a power outlet for chafing dish warmers (standard 15A), a 6ft table minimum for the buffet station
• SaladZilla — Just a table and adequate space. No power needed.

We'll confirm logistics with your venue coordinator in advance. We've worked in boardrooms, rooftops, warehouses, parks, and everything in between — we're adaptable.

Standard service windows are:

• BBQZilla — 2 hours of active grilling service (includes serving time)
• PastaZilla — 1.5 hours buffet service window
• SaladZilla — No time limit; salads are pre-portioned and dropped off

Extended service time is available as an add-on. For events where guests arrive in waves (e.g. rotating lunch breaks), we'll adjust the service plan to accommodate.

We've cooked through Toronto summers — we're used to rain. For BBQZilla, we can often continue with light rain as our equipment handles it well. For heavy rain or lightning, we'll coordinate with you in advance and can either:

• Shift to an indoor or covered area (even a tent or garage works)
• Transition BBQZilla to a PastaZilla or SaladZilla drop-off at no extra charge
• Reschedule with no penalty if weather makes service impossible

We monitor forecasts proactively and will reach out if there's a concern before your event day.

Yes — full cleanup is included with all on-site services. Our crew breaks down the equipment, collects all disposables, and leaves the area clean before we leave. For SaladZilla drop-off, the tin pans are disposable — just toss them when done. We never leave a mess behind.

All three Zilla menus are kosher-friendly. We can provide full kosher certification upon request for events that require it. For events requiring strictly certified kosher catering (e.g. synagogue events, religious observances), please mention this in your quote request and we'll outline the certification process and any associated costs. Our BBQ meats can be sourced from certified kosher suppliers.

Yes — all Zilla menus are halal-friendly. Our meats are sourced from halal-certified suppliers. For events where guests require strict halal certification (documentation), we can provide supplier certificates upon request. PastaZilla and SaladZilla are naturally halal as they contain no meat. Just note your requirement when booking and we'll confirm.

• PastaZilla — 100% plant-based. All six pasta styles are vegan by default (no meat, dairy-free options available)
• SaladZilla — Three of the four salads are fully vegan. The Caesar can be made vegan by requesting the vegan dressing
• BBQZilla — We always include a plant-based burger option (Beyond Burger or similar) at no extra charge

Just note the estimated number of vegetarian/vegan guests in your quote request and we'll make sure they're fully covered.

We take allergies seriously. Common accommodations we handle:

• Gluten-free — Gluten-free pasta available for PastaZilla; all BBQZilla proteins are naturally GF; all SaladZilla items are GF
• Nut-free — Our kitchens are not nut-free environments, but we can ensure the specific items served contain no nuts
• Dairy-free — Available across all menus with prior notice
• Soy-free — Available with prior notice

Please list all allergies in your booking details. For guests with severe or life-threatening allergies, we recommend discussing directly with our team so we can confirm what's safe for your event.

Absolutely — this is actually one of our strengths. A common setup for diverse teams is BBQZilla + SaladZilla: meat-eaters get the full BBQ experience, while vegetarians, vegans, and those with dietary restrictions feast on salads. PastaZilla is another great option for mixed groups since it's plant-based and satisfies almost everyone. Tell us about your group's mix in your quote request and we'll suggest the best combination.

• Ideal — 3–4 weeks in advance, especially for summer events
• Minimum recommended — 1 week for most events
• Rush bookings — We can often accommodate 48–72 hour notice for SaladZilla drop-off and PastaZilla; BBQZilla requires at least 5 days due to equipment logistics

Summer (June–September) is our busiest season — Fridays and weekends book up fast. If your event is in this window, book as early as possible to guarantee your date.

The fastest way is our online quote form — fill in your event details and we'll respond with a full itemized proposal the same day, usually within a few hours. You can also reach us directly at 647-300-2292 or by email. The quote is free, there's no obligation, and we don't do any hard-sell follow-up — we'll send the quote and let you decide.

To prepare an accurate quote, we need:

• Event date and start time
• Location / venue address
• Estimated guest count
• Which menu(s) you're interested in
• Any dietary requirements or special requests

The more detail you provide, the more accurate your quote will be. But if you're still planning and just need a ballpark — even a rough headcount and menu preference is enough to get started.

Yes — we expect headcounts to shift. You can adjust your guest count:

• Up or down by up to 15% — anytime up to 5 days before the event with no price adjustment required (we price to the originally confirmed count)
• More than 15% change — we'll send an updated quote; increases are usually easy to accommodate, decreases within 5 days may affect final invoice

Just let us know as soon as you have an updated count. We always prepare 5–10% extra food as a buffer regardless.

Yes — several of our corporate clients book us on a recurring basis (weekly, monthly, quarterly). For standing arrangements, we offer:

• Dedicated account manager for all bookings
• Priority date holds during busy season
• Volume discounts for 4+ bookings per year
• Simplified repeat-booking process (one call or email to confirm)

Contact us to discuss a corporate catering arrangement.

Staffing is scaled to your guest count:

• 20–75 guests — 2 staff members
• 75–200 guests — 3–4 staff members
• 200–500 guests — 5–6 staff members
• 500+ guests — Custom staffing plan, quoted separately

For BBQZilla on-site, at least one dedicated grill master is always present to run the live cooking. All staff are trained, uniformed, and presentable.

It depends on the service type:

• BBQZilla — Our crew actively grills and plates food for each guest at the station (interactive, not cafeteria-style)
• PastaZilla — Buffet style; guests serve themselves from staffed stations. Staff manage replenishment and can plate for guests if preferred
• SaladZilla — Drop-off; salads are arranged and guests help themselves. No Zilla staff on-site after delivery

For more formal events where you'd like full table service, contact us — we can discuss premium service options.

Call us directly at 647-300-2292 — our operations line is answered from 7am to 10pm on event days. Every booking also has a dedicated lead contact whose number is included in your booking confirmation. In the rare event that something doesn't go to plan, we resolve it on the spot or make it right financially. Our reputation is built on not letting clients down.

Yes — Zilla Catering carries full commercial general liability insurance. A certificate of insurance can be provided to your venue or event organizer upon request. Many corporate and institutional venues require this, so just let us know early and we'll have it to you quickly. We also carry food handling certificates for all staff.