Graduation is one of the most important milestones for your children, whether they have completed their high school years, or finally achieved their post-secondary education goals.
To help mark the momentous occasion in style, you want everything to be perfect, including the party menu. In this article, we will share 14 graduation party menu ideas from the chefs at our grad party venue in Vaughan.
1. Barbecue bash
Since spring is the season of graduation, what better menu is there than a barbecue bash. This allows you to serve up a list of barbecue favourites from burgers and dogs to ribs and chicken, and everything in between.
2. Burger bonanza
Burgers are a young adult favourite, which means you’ll be making most guests happy with this menu choice. You can include a variety of toppings, so people can DIY their burgers and, of course, cater to the vegans with a plant-based alternative.
This is an easy menu to manage rain or shine, as you can switch to broiled or fried burgers if the weather doesn’t cooperate!
3. Pizza party
Although it might seem a little boring, the truth is that everyone loves pizza. It’s also a convenient way to cater to everyone’s needs, with toppings available for every diet type and the option to serve gluten-free crusts.
4. Taco fiesta
A taco bar allows guests to graze when they’re feeling hungry, and can cater to all kinds of diets based on a variety of protein fillings, both meat and plant-based. The toppings allow people to create their own masterpieces, and pick and choose what suits them, so no one goes home hungry!
5. Comfort food
Graduation marks a scary transition into adulthood, which can have kids longing for the taste of home. A menu based on your family’s favourite comfort foods provides a nostalgic meal filled with happy memories.
It’s also a great way to show your graduate that they’ll always have a place to find a warm meal waiting, no matter where life takes them.
6. Global gourmet
Chances are your graduate has a diverse group of friends from different backgrounds and cultures. Creating a global menu that salutes diversity is a great way to honour all the graduates in attendance so everyone enjoys a sampling of flavours and finds comfort in the foods of their own cultures as well.
7. Deli delights
Whether it’s a mile-long sub, a selection of buns, meats, cheeses, and other toppings, or trays stacked high with a selection of tempting sandwiches, deli foods are like party fuel for young adults. It also provides an option for guests to eat when they feel hungry throughout the celebrations.
8. Fanciful feast
Your graduate’s hard work has earned them the right to some pampering and indulgence, which might make a fancy sit-down feast the right menu. A formal affair with a few courses served by candlelight might seem a bit over the top for some.
However, if your graduate has always been about pomp and circumstance, then this is an excellent way to splurge on an elegant menu. Whether it’s perfectly grilled fish or roasted meat, a selection of exceptional side dishes and a decadent dessert complete this fanciful menu.
9. Pasta-licious
Another popular dish, pasta is always a favourite whether you’re planning a sit-down meal, buffet, or something in between. You can serve a selection or focus on a certain crowd-pleaser such as luscious lasagna, something rich and creamy, or a delightful seafood medley.
An antipasto platter of charcuterie, cheese, and olives welcomes guests, followed by your choice of pasta, fresh salads, grilled or roasted vegetables, and fresh crusty bread to complete this pasta-licious menu.
10. Tantalizing carving table
Despite the vegan revolution, there are still some true meat lovers out there who crave a good roast. Serving a selection of tantalizing roasts of beef, ham, chicken, etc. carved fresh and served with traditional sides provides a meal fit for the “meatatarians” who love to get their meat fix every now and then.
11. Appetizers only
“Small plates” are all the rage, opening up endless possibilities for an appetizer-focused menu. Serving up a series of endless appetizers throughout the party keeps everyone fed, while introducing new taste sensations just when the crowd starts to get hungry again.
Whether served at a buffet, tableside as small plate courses, or on trays as guests mingle cocktail-party style, an abundance of keep-them-coming appetizers is an innovative way to feed hungry grad party guests.
12. Keep-them-guessing vegetarian
For graduates who are all about saving the planet, a vegetarian menu offers clever twists on favourite meat-based foods with no one the wiser. Increasingly, people are discovering the flavour-packed alternatives to meat beyond tofu—and it doesn’t have to be vegan.
Vegetarian menus focus on vegetables but also includes ingredients such as cheese, allowing guests to enjoy flavourful choices from burgers to tacos and pastas to Italian favourites like eggplant parmesan.
13. Sweet-tooth temptations
If you don’t plan to serve a meal, then serve a menu featuring sweet-tooth temptations with a buffet of desserts. Cake, tarts, cookies, pastries, chocolate-dipped strawberries, or better yet, a chocolate fondue are all perfect ways to reward a group of grads who have just survived their high school or college/university years.
14. Breakfast for dinner
Breakfast for dinner is growing in popularity and can be served at graduate parties as an unexpected delight.
French toast, pancakes, fresh fruit, bacon, sausage, croissants, eggs, and breakfast casseroles all make excellent menu items to feed a houseful of hungry grads. Considering most don’t get up until well after noon, this menu is on the brink of genius!
Contact the Event Venue Experts
You can also leave it up to grad party venues in Vaughan to manage the menu and party planning for you. As parents of a successful young adult, you deserve a pat on the back, too. Having someone else handle the work is the perfect way to acknowledge your success without stealing your graduate’s thunder!
Château Le Jardin is a popular grad party venue in Vaughan ready to help you plan the perfect menu for your hungry guests. To learn more, call us at 1-888-529-8573, or book a consultation here.
