After more than 50 years of providing premier picnic catering for companies and families in Milwaukee, many of our picnic staff feels like family to our longtime clients. Even our most loyal customers may not know some of the staff who work hard behind the scenes to make their picnic visions come to life. So whether you are looking for a Milwaukee picnic catering service or want to learn who has been planning and executing the best picnics in Milwaukee, we invite you to meet the friendly ZHG picnic team.
Meet the Passionate Zilli Picnic Team
Steph Zilli, Principal
Everyone feels like family when working for ZHG and our stellar clients, but Steph is also literally a part of the Zilli family. Steph shares ownership of the company with his brothers, Jim and Robert. His love of outdoor events, with the aroma of freshly grilled foods, has guided him to specialize in picnic catering.
Favorite Picnic Food: A hot dog loaded with all the trimmings including caramelized onions served with chilled potato salad.
Favorite Picnic Memory: While working at a picnic many years ago, he joined the kids on a horseback ride.
Paul Otto, Senior Picnic Trainer
Paul has been a member of the ZHG picnic team for six years. While he enjoys all things outdoors, his favorite, by far, is spending time grilling. To him, there is nothing more that truly reflects summer in Milwaukee than being outside, enjoying the weather while cooking food on the grill – especially if tailgating for a Brewers game.
Favorite Picnic Food: Bratwurst
Favorite Picnic Memory: Grilling an event for thousands of guests at the Milwaukee Public Zoo was a lot of hard work, but rewarding to know that Zilli is capable of satisfying that many guests flawlessly.
Chooua Moua, Senior Event Manager
Going on 11 years at ZHG, Chooua knows the value of a family work environment where everyone is supportive and encouraging. That is why she loves bringing the “Zilli touch” and exceptional customer care to picnics, which brings families together.
Favorite Picnic Food: Cucumber tomato salad, ranchero salad and watermelon wedges.
Favorite Picnic Memory: Working an event that brought the two largest hospitals together for a picnic which spanned two days. With 30,000 guests in attendance both Saturday and Sunday, this was a huge accomplishment that she will never forget. It was especially rewarding to make this event surpass expectations for a group of people who spend so much of their time helping others.
Chris Nault, Senior Event Manager
Nothing pleases Chris Nault more than handing out ice cream novelties to children at company picnics while taking in the grill aromas on a sunny day. He feels lucky to call such tasks work for the last six years!
Favorite Picnic Food: Klement’s bratwurst with caramelized onions
Favorite Picnic Memory: While conducting picnic training for the past two years, he had a great time helping new employees learn the ropes and hearing about their success throughout the picnic season.
Mary Sue Gallagher, HR Director
Mary has been with ZHG for a decade. Any time she sees families out enjoying the company of each other in the warm weather is a great day for her.
Favorite Picnic Food: Roasted corn on the cob
Favorite Picnic Memory: Can’t choose just one from the several picnic seasons she’s been with us.
Michelle Koenig, Staffing Director
Michelle brings a new face and picnic ideas to the ZHG catering team. No stranger to celebrations, expect Michelle to smile from the start of the picnic planning process to the end.
Favorite Picnic Food: Hot dogs and burgers
Favorite Picnic Memory: She is looking forward to having one after her first picnic season this year.
Theresa Nicklas, Staffing Director
Theresa looks forward to the summer months and getting a chance to enjoy the sunshine while working outdoors. Going on her fourth year, she has come to love picnic season due to the change of pace it brings after a cold Milwaukee winter.
Favorite Picnic Food: Ranchero salad
Favorite Picnic Memory: Anytime Theresa can take a break from the office and get outside to work a picnic is a good memory for her!
Our picnic team is ready to help you join the thousands of Midwesterners who are glad they brought our expertise and obsessive attention to detail to their picnics. For more innovative picnic ideas, take a look at our blog and contact us at: 262.547.9447 or picnics@zillihospitalitygroup.com.
