Planning a grad party and looking for graduation party catering in CT? May and June have a way of sneaking up on you. One minute you're thinking about spring, and the next you've got a graduation party, a Memorial Day cookout, a bridal shower, and a neighborhood get-together all stacked on top of each other. Good news: you don't have to think about the food alone.
LaBonne's has been feeding Connecticut families since 1962, and our catering team is ready to make your celebration, whatever it is, one less thing to worry about. This guide covers our crowd-pleasing party picks, how much food to order, a simple booking timeline, and how to reserve your date.
Graduation Party Catering in CT: Our Crowd-Pleasers
Whether your grad is finishing high school, college, or anything in between, they deserve a party that feels special. And honestly? So do you. You've been planning, supporting, and cheering them on for years. The last thing you need is to spend the day of their party stuck in the kitchen.
LaBonne's catering has everything you need to feed a crowd without the stress. Here's how we'd build a grad party spread from our catering menu:
Start With Platters for Grazing
Start the party off right with our Jumbo Shrimp Platter (31-40 count shrimp with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges), the Caprese Skewer Platter (mini marinated mozzarella and cherry tomatoes with fresh basil and a balsamic glaze), or a spread of our Mini Pinwheel Wraps. They're colorful, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for grazing while guests come and go.
Pick Mains From Our A La Carte Menu
For the main event, our a la carte menu offers a wide variety of entrées, from penne ala vodka and meat lasagna to chicken parmesan and sausage and peppers in marinara. Entrées come in half-pan sizes that serve about 10 to 15 each, so you can mix and match two or three favorites for a bigger crowd.
Keep It Casual With a Giant Grinder
Our 3- or 6-foot grinders are piled with over a pound of meat per foot and are guaranteed to be a hit with a hungry crowd. Choose turkey, ham, Italian combo, or roast beef with your choice of cheese and fresh fixins'. Plan on roughly 4 people per foot. (New to the word "grinder"? Here's what makes a grinder a grinder.)
Don't Forget the Deli Salads
Our potato salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw, and pasta salads are the kind of sides people fill their plates with twice. Signature deli salads come in small (serves 7-10) and large (serves 12-15) sizes.
What to Serve at a Memorial Day Cookout or Backyard BBQ
Summer entertaining season kicks off with Memorial Day weekend, and it doesn't really stop until Labor Day. If you're hosting a cookout, a pool party, or just a laid-back afternoon with friends, we've got the platters and sides to make it effortless.
Hot off the tray
Wing Platters
Available in traditional, buffalo, BBQ, teriyaki, or ranch dry rub, served hot with creamy bleu cheese or our own ranch dressing and celery sticks. Boneless wings are available too.
Fresh and colorful
Fruit & Veggie Platters
Pair wings with a Fresh Fruit Platter and a Garden Vegetable Platter, each served with your choice of dip, and you've got a full spread that looks like you put in way more effort than you did.
Something heartier
Ribs & Ham
Our Barbecued Baby Back Ribs or Applewood Smoked Sliced Ham make a real impression next to the grill.
On the side
Deli Salads
Add a few deli salads like cole slaw, macaroni salad, or creamy red skin potato salad and you're set.
Hosting the Fourth too? Our 4th of July party food ideas and party platter planning guide have more ideas.
Elevated Catering for Showers, Anniversaries & Stags
Hosting something a little more elevated, like a bridal shower, an anniversary, or a stag? Our a la carte entrées like Chicken Francaise in a White Wine Lemon Sauce, Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms, and Roasted Fresh Salmon Fillet with a Honey Glaze bring a restaurant-quality feel without the restaurant hassle.
For a complete plated-style meal, our Signature Dinner Menu (10-serving minimum) pairs one 8 oz entrée with two sides, a salad, and rolls. Think Chicken Francaise with penne ala vodka and green bean almondine, or teriyaki marinated flank steak with garlic mashed potatoes and a strawberry mesclun salad.
"We had food catered from this market. Chicken francaise, and penne alla vodka. It was delicious and my guests loved it so much, some got up for a 3rd serving."
Michelle, Google Review
How Much Food Do You Need for a Graduation Party?
The easiest way to size your order is to start with the serving counts on our catering menu. Here are the party favorites from this post and how many guests each one feeds:
| Menu item | Sizes | Serves |
|---|---|---|
| Giant Grinder | 3 foot / 6 foot | 8-12 / 22-26 |
| Jumbo Shrimp Platter | Small / Medium / Large | 10-15 / 15-25 / 25-30 |
| Mini Pinwheel Wrap Platter | Small / Large | 6-8 / 10-15 |
| Caprese Skewer Platter | One size | 10-15 |
| Wing Platter | Small / Large | 5-10 / 10-15 |
| Fresh Fruit Platter | Small / Medium / Large | 10-15 / 20-25 / 30-40 |
| Garden Vegetable Platter | Small / Medium / Large | 10-15 / 20-25 / 30-40 |
| A la carte entrées and sides | 1/2 pan | 10-15 |
| Signature deli salads | Small / Large | 7-10 / 12-15 |
Serving counts are from our current catering menu and may change. Ask your store for the latest menu and pricing.
Sample Menus by Party Size
These are general planning examples built from the counts above, not set packages. Our team can help you adjust for your crowd.
About 25 guests
Casual Open House
- One 6-foot Giant Grinder
- Large Jumbo Shrimp Platter
- Medium Fresh Fruit Platter
- Two large deli salads
About 50 guests
Backyard Grad Party
- Two 6-foot Giant Grinders
- Two large Wing Platters
- Large Fruit and Large Veggie Platters
- Two 1/2 pans of penne ala vodka
- Four large deli salads
Grad parties are often open houses where guests drop in over several hours, and teenagers and college kids tend to eat more than you'd expect. If you're torn between two sizes, lean toward the bigger one, and lean on grazing platters so late arrivals still find a full table.
When to Book Graduation Party Catering: A Planning Timeline
Every party is different, so treat this as a general checklist. The one rule that never changes: call early, because our catering calendar fills up quickly.
- As soon as you set a date
Call to reserve
Graduation weekends and holiday weekends go first. Call your nearest LaBonne's to get on the calendar, even if your headcount isn't final.
- A few weeks out
Pick your menu
Browse the catering menu and the bakery catering menu. If you want something that isn't listed, ask about a custom menu.
- 1 to 2 weeks out
Confirm your headcount
Use the serving counts above to finalize sizes, and mention any dietary needs. Gluten-free items are available upon request.
- The week of
Plan pickup or delivery
Confirm your pickup time with the store, or ask about delivery. Clear fridge space for cold platters and set out serving utensils.
- Party day
Enjoy your grad
Set out the food, keep it at safe temperatures (tips below), and let us handle the cooking.
Food Safety Tips for Outdoor Graduation Parties
A backyard party in June means warm weather, so a few simple habits keep your catered food safe and delicious. These guidelines come from the FDA and USDA.
Watch the 2-hour rule. Perishable food shouldn't sit out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour when it's above 90°F outside.
Keep hot food hot. Hold hot dishes at 140°F or warmer using chafing dishes, slow cookers, or warming trays.
Keep cold food cold. Cold platters and deli salads should stay at 40°F or colder. Keep them in the fridge until serving time, or nest them in ice.
Serve in waves. Put out smaller portions and refill from the fridge or oven so late guests get the same fresh spread as early ones.
How to Order Catering at LaBonne's
For showers, stags, corporate meetings, anniversaries, summer barbecues, weddings, or any other special event, LaBonne's Catering is here to make your party planning stress-free. You can place an order online, or call the catering location closest to you:
Watertown
860-274-9631
639 Straits Tpke. Also serving Wolcott, Waterbury, Thomaston, and Bethlehem. Catering in Watertown, CT
If you have something specific in mind that isn't on the menu, just ask. We can work with you to create something custom for your guests, and our team can also help arrange rental equipment and delivery service.
"The food was fabulous. It was delivered on time, there was an abundance of food, and it was delicious."
Amy, Facebook Review
Graduation Party Catering FAQs
How far in advance should I book graduation party catering?
As early as you can. Our catering calendar fills up quickly, especially around graduation and holiday weekends, so call your nearest LaBonne's as soon as you have a date.
How much food do I need for 50 graduation party guests?
As a general example, two 6-foot Giant Grinders (each serves 22-26), two large wing platters, large fruit and veggie platters, two half pans of an entrée, and four large deli salads would cover about 50 guests. Our team can help you fine-tune it.
How many people does a 6-foot grinder feed?
Our 6-foot Giant Grinder serves about 22 to 26 people, and the 3-foot serves 8 to 12. Plan on roughly 4 people per foot.
Can you make a custom catering menu?
Yes. In addition to our standard menu, we can create a custom menu for your guests. Gluten-free items are also available upon request.
What areas does LaBonne's catering serve?
We cater from all four stores in Watertown, Woodbury, Salisbury, and Prospect, and our Watertown team also serves nearby towns like Wolcott, Waterbury, Thomaston, and Bethlehem.
Book Your Party Catering at LaBonne's
Here's to a summer full of good food and people you love. We'll handle the cooking. Since 1962, the LaBonne family has been serving customers in greater Watertown, Woodbury, Salisbury, and Prospect with friendly service and the freshest food available.
Picking up a few extras for the party? Our produce department makes fresh fruit and vegetable trays, our bakery bakes cakes and cookies throughout the day, and you can order groceries online for pickup or delivery. Check the weekly flyer before you stock up.