Graduation Catering Ideas for Restaurants

With June just around the corner, there will be an abundance of graduation parties that need catering and food services. We can help you with graduation catering ideas for restaurants, so you can be prepared when catering parties. 

Ways to Serve

Try offering different options on serving style when catering a graduation event. You can offer buffet style serving or individual plates. Buffet style might be a better option and more affordable for larger parties, while individual menu plates can be expensive the more courses there are. Make sure when the serving style is decided you focus on details like:

• Do you have the right equipment?


• Do you have enough food holding equipment?


• What kinds of napkins do they need and will you need to rent any?


• Are tablecloths available and how many tables will need them?


• Do you have an outdoor space to offer?

Main Courses

The main dishes are the most important part of graduation catering. You should start by offering your best and most popular dishes for the menu or buffet, and go through the different options you are offering. Don’t forget to ask some of the important questions including:

• Are there any allergies? – Ask if there are any allergies such as gluten, dairy, nuts and more. You need to make sure that allergy-safe utensils and kitchen spaces are prepped, so there is no cross-contamination. If you need specialized menu ideas, we have a great article on Alternative Catering Menu Ideas to help you.


• How many people are being served? – The amount of people can determine a lot of factors. Depending on less or more people, you will need to decide how many food options you want to offer and how much you want to charge. Don’t forget to check the space and see what the limit is on how many people can be in a building or room.  


• Does there need to be a kids menu? – Should there be a kids menu if there are going to be younger children in attendance? 

Celebratory Desserts

Picking out the desserts for a graduation catering event can be a big deal. If there is a theme, it will make the dessert menu and options easier to decide. A cake is always a classic idea to help celebrate, but you can also offer a dessert table to have other options like:

• Cupcakes


• Macarons


• Cookies


• Chocolate covered fruit


• Seasonal Desserts

Decoration Services

Decorations are an essential part of graduation catering, making the celebration feel special and dedicated to the graduate. You can offer to decorate the food tables or dessert tables to help make the celebration as festive as possible. If there are any decorations that the restaurant is providing or a theme for the party, add any of those decorations or elements to the dessert table. Tablecloths, balloons, matching dishware and more are some of the easiest ways to ensure that the dessert table is looking appetizing. 

Catering Tips: College vs. High School

One important fact to remember is what kind of graduation is this? High school graduations may have adults attending, but the party might not want to offer alcohol to those who are legally allowed to drink. For college or adult education programs you can offer an alcohol and drink menu depending on their preference. There can also be options of an open bar or just a one-drink policy for those in attendance. If there is going to be drinks at the catering event, try and pair the drink menu with the food that is being served. If you are looking for the essentials on hosting a graduation party, check out our article on How to Host a Graduation Party at a Restaurant.