Graduation parties are some of the busiest events of the year for caterers. Many families host an open house on the same few weekends in late May and June, and guests often stop by several parties in one afternoon. Barbecue is a good fit for this kind of event because it holds well, it feeds a wide range of ages and it is easy for guests to serve themselves.
Book Early
Graduation weekends fill up quickly. Once you know your date, reach out to your caterer. We recommend booking at least 3 to 4 weeks ahead for any event, and graduation season is a good time to plan further out than that. You can request a quote with an estimated guest count and update the number later.
Estimate Your Guest Count
Open houses are harder to count than a sit-down dinner. Guests come and go over several hours, and not everyone eats a full meal. Some families plan food for the full invite list to be safe. Others plan for the number they realistically expect, based on RSVPs and past parties.
If your party overlaps with other graduations in the area, some guests may have already eaten elsewhere. If yours is the main stop for family and close friends, plan on full portions. Our guide to how much BBQ to order per person has portion sizes for meats and sides.
Choose a Menu That Works for Every Age
A graduation party usually brings together grandparents, classmates, neighbors and young kids. A simple barbecue menu covers all of them.
- Pulled pork is mild and easy to eat on a roll, which makes it a favorite with kids and teens.
- Brisket is a draw for the adults and is usually the first meat to run out.
- Mac ’n’ cheese is the side most kids will look for first.
- Coleslaw and potato salad add something cool and fresh on a warm day.
Dinner rolls and BBQ sauce come with all of our catering packages, so guests can make their own sandwiches.
Keep Food Warm Over a Long Afternoon
An open house can run three or four hours, which is longer than food should sit out. A few habits help keep everything safe and appealing.
- Use chafing dishes or warming trays for hot food, and keep cold sides on ice.
- Put out smaller amounts and refill them through the afternoon instead of setting everything out at once.
- Keep extra food covered and hot until it is needed.
The USDA recommends keeping hot food at 140 degrees or warmer and not leaving perishable food out for more than two hours, or one hour when it is above 90 degrees.
Plan for an Outdoor Party
Many graduation parties are held in a backyard or a park pavilion. Set the food table in the shade if you can, and keep it away from the main foot traffic so the line does not block the yard. A separate drink station helps the food line move. Have a backup plan for rain, such as a tent or a garage.
Sharing a Party
Some families host a joint party with friends or cousins who are graduating the same year. A shared party can split the cost of food and space. If you go this route, settle the guest count and the menu together before you request a quote.
Graduation Catering From Stampede
Stampede Barbecue caters graduation parties and open houses for 15 guests or more across Berks, Chester and Lancaster Counties. Our packages run from $25.75 to $34.50 per person and include your choice of smoked meats and homemade sides, plus dinner rolls and BBQ sauce. We offer both drop-off and full-service catering.
See our graduation party catering page for more, or send us your date and guest count through the catering page. We will get back to you within 24 business hours with pricing and availability.