Anonymous
03/12/2026 07:34
Subject: Catering grad party myself???
NP, and DD just asked to have a grad party too. I don't work and have lots of catering experience, so I'll take a shot at this too. Probably 75 people or so, Will pay my older DS to come and help. These parties are fast though, kids come in and out and head to the next one (ours will be early afternoon), so it will be like a storm coming through! I am looking forward to it!
Anonymous
03/12/2026 06:53
Subject: Catering grad party myself???
Anonymous wrote:Since are grad parties full meals? Typically people are going to multiple grad parties the same days/weekends. I think anything is acceptable. I’ve been to ones that are were all cute desserts.
I think your menu sounds totally fine. You could even do homemade sloppy joes and keep it in crockpot to stay warm. That feeds a lot and teens all like. Have some salads, chips, homemade desserts, and done
10 crockpots?
Anonymous
03/12/2026 06:52
Subject: Catering grad party myself???
No you cannot cater for 100 people yourself.
Anonymous
03/12/2026 06:40
Subject: Catering grad party myself???
I think this would be best catered out by a restaurant. It sounds like you like pretty simple meals, so I would reccomend Maggiano's. You can easily order a bunch of appetizers, sides, mains and then order a cake and cookie platter from Best Buns.
Anonymous
03/11/2026 21:04
Subject: Catering grad party myself???
Drop the kale salad and have either brownies or cookies or rice crispy treats. No need for all of them. Don’t forget vegetarians and maybe add some sort of a dip with chips and veggies?
Anonymous
03/11/2026 20:09
Subject: Catering grad party myself???
Anonymous wrote:I'd do carryout from Red Hot and Blue or someplace like that. We've done that and it is reasonable and they can provide warming trays etc. Hosting a party for 100 will make it hard to enjoy the actual graduation.
Yes, we have done Mission BBQ and Taco Bamba at different times and both were probably less than we would have paid on our own. Do that and buy a cake or cupcakes.
(Your menu looks great, not knocking it!)
Anonymous
03/11/2026 19:25
Subject: Re:Catering grad party myself???
I think it’s doable but making all the food in the quantities you’ll need for that many people could be much more time consuming than you expect. Careful planning well ahead of time will be key. Don’t underestimate the amount of work involved, the amount of time you’ll actually have and how much of your energy it’ll take.
Price it all out now because it might just be more time and cost-effective to buy some prepared foods.
Also get people to help on the day. Don’t just consider the food, but make sure you’ll also have a couple of restrooms available and someone to check on the t.p. supply, towels, soap and all the trash cans every hour or so.
Price it all out now because it might just be more time and cost-effective to buy some prepared foods.
Also get people to help on the day. Don’t just consider the food, but make sure you’ll also have a couple of restrooms available and someone to check on the t.p. supply, towels, soap and all the trash cans every hour or so.
Anonymous
03/11/2026 12:11
Subject: Catering grad party myself???
Since are grad parties full meals? Typically people are going to multiple grad parties the same days/weekends. I think anything is acceptable. I’ve been to ones that are were all cute desserts.
I think your menu sounds totally fine. You could even do homemade sloppy joes and keep it in crockpot to stay warm. That feeds a lot and teens all like. Have some salads, chips, homemade desserts, and done
I think your menu sounds totally fine. You could even do homemade sloppy joes and keep it in crockpot to stay warm. That feeds a lot and teens all like. Have some salads, chips, homemade desserts, and done
Anonymous
03/11/2026 10:38
Subject: Catering grad party myself???
Of course you can do this! My friends MIL just catered her mom’s funeral single handedly with a very similar menu. Every party I have ever thrown (baptism etc) I have done like this. I usually assign a salad or something to a couple relatives and do the rest on my own with as much made ahead as possible.
Anonymous
03/11/2026 10:35
Subject: Catering grad party myself???
Anonymous wrote:Cash is tight and my kid wants to have a grad party like all their friends. I’m not broke, but i also can’t do a $10,000 passed hors d’oevres deal like all their classmates. On the plus side, I’m a good cook and the plan is for a 2 or 3 pm start, so more snacks and finger foods than full meal. So…. Can i do it? Or too crazy and hectic?
I was thinking something like:
Kale salad
Pasta salad
Fruit salad
Kings Hawaiian/slider roll sandwiches (maybe roast beef, chicken salad and tomato basil mozzarella with balsamic reduction)
Bags of chips and popcorn
Cookies
Brownies
Rice Krispie treats
Grad cake(s)
Then buckets of water/soda/beer/wine/seltzers
I’ll make sure the sandwiches are more exciting than just a thin shriveled scrap of meat… like a roast beef with roasted red peppers and sharp cheddar or turkey, brie, cranberry jam etc. And everything will taste great but be homemade
What do you think? Doable? Acceptable?
I love this and you should do it!
Anonymous
03/11/2026 08:51
Subject: Catering grad party myself???
Anonymous wrote:Yes, OP. I grew up in a family with 8 kids + we had homemade parties at our house. Ignore the naysayers + calls to cater food. You said you like cooking, so it won't be trouble. Maybe a family member or friend can help you set up + help clear trash as it piles up. It is very nice you're doing this for your child. Good luck + congrats!
I don't think everyone here are "naysayers," I think preparing food for 100 people could be difficult, especially for an afternoon outdoor party in June when you have to cycle the food or figure out how to keep it cool. I'm probably more relaxed about food safety than most Americans, but things just get unappetizing when they sit out in the heat. I doubt it would cost much more for OP to do some home prep and some catering, which is what many people suggested. At the very least, OP will need some helpers the day of.
Anonymous
03/10/2026 20:14
Subject: Catering grad party myself???
I have done Panera Bread copy cat Mediterranean veggie sandwich for pool party with some salad and fruit salad and it was a great.
Anonymous
03/10/2026 20:09
Subject: Catering grad party myself???
I have hosted my own parties many times - you can do this. Just pace yourself and do as much as you can ahead of time. Cut corners with some store bought things from the store, make your homemade things a day or two before and keep it simple with drinks and ice buckets. Also - if you have a crock pot or two things like pulled pork sliders or meatballs feed a crowd and are easy to prepare. Everybody loves homemade dips and snacks - it will be a hit - a few balloons for decorations and you will have a great time!
Anonymous
03/10/2026 20:02
Subject: Catering grad party myself???
👎👎Anonymous wrote:How about food trucks?
Anonymous
03/10/2026 19:57
Subject: Catering grad party myself???
How about food trucks?