‘Tis the season for pomp and circumstance. During May and June—high school graduation time—seniors and their families get the chance to celebrate accomplishments and enjoy bittersweet endings and exciting beginnings. But let’s be honest: Graduation parties are one of the best parts of the season, and a good party is all about the delicious food.
If you’re planning a shindig for your own graduate this spring, we’re here to help. Leave the prepping and the cooking to the pro; you can find everything on your menu, from the salad to the cake, at local markets and restaurants. We’ve asked Woodbury catering experts for their advice on planning a delicious day, so you’ll have more time to spend with your commencement kiddo.
Kowalski’s
Stop by Kowalski’s ever-abundant deli counter for classic luncheon fare: fruit trays, veggie platters, cold sandwiches and pasta salads. “Order at least a week ahead of time for graduation,” says recently retired deli manager Kim Winterle. “It’s a busy season” We also love Winterle’s rule of thumb for figuring out how much food you’ll need: Relatives who stick around at your house will count as a whole serving, but high school friends who float among parties should count only as one-third or one-fourth of a serving. Genius! 8505 Valley Creek Road; 651.578.8800.
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Potbelly’s delicious hot subs are sure to be a hit with your party guests, and you can order anything from their regular menu in plentiful quantities. But, says shift manager lead Emily Streit, sandwiches aren’t Potbelly’s most popular graduation food. “We do lots of cookies for graduation parties,” Streit says. Pick up a tray of gooey-chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies or chocolate cookie-brownies for those sugar-high grads. 7230 Valley Creek Plaza; 651.735.1308.
Cold Stone Creamery
Sure, cake is a quintessential grad-party dessert. But what if you’re looking for a more unique treat? Ice cream is a great alternative, says Kevin Archer at Cold Stone Creamery; just make sure you have a plan for keeping it cold (a big tray filled with ice works great). At Cold Stone, you can order gallon tubs (or bigger) of favorite flavors, or individual servings of frozen goodness. Ice-cream cupcakes are another popular option: a chewy chocolate cake shell, filled with creamy, cold ice cream and topped with frosting. Order a few days in advance and ask for your graduate’s favorite color for the frosting. 7455 Currell Blvd.; 651.251.1112.
Davanni’s Pizza and Hot Hoagies
Tired of cold sandwiches and look-alike deli salads? Don’t be afraid to try a hot entrée or two for your party buffet, says Davanni’s kitchen lead Larry Stychalla. “Our lasagna or family-style pasta pans can feed up to 12 people each,” he says. Choose from lasagna or pasta with rosa or alfredo sauce. The catering pros at Davanni’s can also help with family-sized salads, hoagie sandwich trays and, of course, pizza, which is a surefire crowd pleaser. 1905 Donegal Drive; 651.739.1010.
Bruegger’s Bagels
For a fun twist, host a graduation brunch instead of a lunch or dinnertime party. Serve a breakfast buffet with fruit, fresh juice, coffee and pastries. For ultimate ease, stop by Bruegger’s for a bagel box or two—18 bagels per box, with three tubs of sweet or savory cream cheese. “Our muffins are great, too,” says general manager Jeff Tumoe. “They’re large and really good.” For heartier fare, order a platter of breakfast sandwiches fresh from Bruegger’s ovens. Sounds good to us—start the coffee, and we’ll be right over. 8320 City Center Drive, Suite A; 651.735.7711.
