Graduation season is so unique. One minute you’re watching your child struggle through a freshman algebra class, and the next minute you’re running off to print out all the invites for a cap-and-gown celebration! Whether you’re hosting a backyard party, a banquet hall, or a mixture of both, the one thing you don’t want to get wrong? The food.
The thing is, most graduation party catering is pretty much… predictable. Sandwich trays, soggy pasta dishes, cupcakes that have been slopped with too much icing. But what if you could elevate the flavor, make the menu interesting, and still please Grandma, your picky cousin, and your best friend’s boyfriend? That’s what Belgian-inspired catering can do.
Belgian food provides the perfect balance of sophistication and comfort. It is hearty without being heavy, familiar but also distinguishingly different. And yes, it performs beautifully both indoors and outdoors. So why not send your grad off with something bold, fashionable, and truly memorable?!
Graduation celebrations are important milestones, and your menu should match the moment. Here are some ideas for turning your celebration into a fully Belgian-inspired feast.
Make a Statement with Belgian Group Shareables
First rule of graduation party catering: easy to grab, eat, and socialize. No matter whether your guests are in folding chairs or standing by the dessert table watching a nostalgic slideshow, bite-sized fare is what you want.
A group shareables from Taste of Belgium are the right mix of casual, but elevated. You’re not just throwing chips in a bowl; you’re serving Instagrammable, conversation-starting party food.
1. Waffle & Chicken Bites
The mini size of Taste of Belgium’s signature dish. These Liège waffle bites (remember, these are dense, caramelized, and pearl sugar-studded) are topped with crispy, juicy chicken with a drizzle of syrup. Sweet, savory, and comforting.
2. Bier Cheese & Pretzels
This combination hits all the notes: warm, salty, melty, snacky. Great with a beer, great for picking, great for sharing. Last but not least, a crowd pleaser.
3. Belgian Mini Meatballs
Hearty, flavorful, and full of umami. They shine as appetizers but could even be served as part of a build-your-own plate.
4. Artisan Cheese and Meat Tray
There isn’t a party without a charcuterie board. This one has an upscale feel to it without being ostentatious. Think cured meats, aged cheeses, crackers, and condiments that actually have taste.
5. Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
You heard that right: Brussels sprouts. Not boiled, but roasted to crispy perfection and tossed with savory pancetta. It’s that chefy touch that reminds everyone you didn’t order everything from a bulk warehouse.
Customize the Menu with Boxed Handhelds and Signature Sandwiches
All of these dishes were created to offer choices, with vibrant visuals – they are basically built for mingling, grazing, and re-filling the plate multiple times.
If your graduation party resembles more of a seated event, or you are looking for a more controlled means of offering food with grab-and-go stations, boxed sandwiches are your MVPs. Portioning is a breeze, they are easy to serve up, and they still taste good because at Taste of Belgium, everything is made fresh out of their scratch kitchen.
These boxed meals come fully packaged with a signature sandwich, chips or fruit, and a cookie in each box. Your guests can grab one and settle in without waiting in buffet lines.
1. Turkey Club
A delicious and filling option, you get thick-cut turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Familiarity goes a long way with most people.
2. Southwestern Waffle Sandwich
Yes, you read that right: waffle-as-bread. This is a calling card for TOB and is honestly brilliant. Waffle adds sweetness and a crunch that is paired so well with spicy mayo and grilled chicken. Unique, fun, and Instagrammable.
3. Ham & Brie
Sweet and savory with a creamy finish. The ham is smoky, the brie is rich, and it feels French, but better.
4. Tomato & Cucumber (Vegetarian)
Fresh, light, and safe for your guests who don’t eat meat. Crunchy vegetables with herbed cheese and a soft baguette result in a bite that doesn’t feel like a consolation prize.
Boxed sandwiches help keep portion control, too. No one’s taking half the tray, and guests can grab-and-go without needing a candle holder and cheese plate!
Don’t Skip the Salads: Fresh, Filling & Beautiful
Salad doesn’t have to be the sad, soggy afterthought it usually is. When constructed correctly, it can be a bright, filling base that supports your heavier dishes. The salads on Taste of Belgium’s catering menu are delicious and healthy.
1. Seasonal Berry Salad
Fresh berries, farro, spiced nuts, herbed cheese, and greens. It’s sweet, savory, nutty, and refreshing. Summer in a bowl.
2. Seasonal Harvest Salad
This one’s for your guests craving something hearty, yet clean. Roasted sweet potatoes, farmer’s cheese, dried fruit, and greens with a yummy just-vinaigrette to tie it all together.
3. The Signature Salad
It showcases blue cheese crumbles, apples, walnuts, and romaine. It straddles the line between traditional and racy.
4. The Garden Salad
It’s basic, colorful, and a safe option for picky eaters and allergy-prone guests!
All of these can be ordered as singular bowls or group size options. Whether you are creating a buffet or serving individualized meals, they can be customized to suit your party mood.
Feature Show-Stopping Belgian Entrées
Last, you didn’t think we would skip providing the main courses, did you? Because let’s be honest, even the best graduation party catering needs at least a dish or two that people will stop mid-bite and say, “What is this and where can I get more?”
Taste of Belgium’s main courses fit this narrative perfectly. The entrees take party food to actual, real meal food.
1. Waffle & Chicken
Yes again. But this is the full-size plate version. Liège waffle, crispy chicken, and spiced syrup. Sweet, savory, and undeniably satisfying.
2. Pasta Bolognese
Pasta with a rich, slow-simmered ragu sauce represents comfort food at its very best. It’s perfect for those guests who want something warm and familiar.
3. Grilled Salmon with Farro and Rum Spice Butter
This is the “wow” dish. It’s elegant, full of flavor, and still approachable for less adventurous eaters.
There are options for vegetarians, people who love carbs, and people who just want protein. All of the food is scratch-made from fresh ingredients, so you can taste what you are eating, and not that it came from a plastic or cardboard box!
Graduation Toasts Done Right: Belgian Beverages
Don’t forget the drinks! Whether you are hosting a brunch, lunch, or an early evening event, drinks are part of the party vibe. Taste of Belgium has come up with smart, self-serve drink options that keep the drinks festive, without a bartender on site.
1. Mimosa Kit
Includes bottles of bubbly and orange juice. You can set it up on a drink table with some fresh fruit, and let guests make their own cheers.
2. Bloody Mary Box
Spicy, bold, and the perfect ice breaker. It comes with all of your favourite items to build the ultimate Bloody Mary station!
3. Signature Roast Coffee Tote
To all the parents and professors who have been running on fumes since finals week. This to-go tote is hot, caffeinated, and ready to power through the day.
4. Juice Totes
Orange, apple, or cranberry, colorful and kid-friendly. Plus, a good non-alcoholic choice and simple to serve in cups or pitchers.
Whether you are toasting with a mimosa or sipping on juice on the patio, the beverage setup should feel just as thoughtful as your food. TOB is here to ensure you have an amazing party. For more information, please visit us in any of our stores across Cincinnati, including Rookwood and Over The Rhine.
Sweet Send-Off: Graduation Desserts That Steal the Show
Dessert is an essential part of any celebration. And with Taste of Belgium, you can be assured that you get more than just cookies from the big plastic tray.
1. Boxed Waffles with Chocolate & Fruit
This is the highlight! Individually boxed Liège waffles, that have a dark chocolate drizzle and fresh fruit of strawberries and blueberries. They are perfectly packaged, stylish, and 100% decadent.
2. Macarons
Colorful, classy, and easy to eat in one bite. Perfect for little hands or a discerning appetite.
3. Mini Cheesecake Bites
Decadent and creamy, but just small enough that no one feels bad about grabbing a couple.
4. Assorted Cookies
So nostalgic, but loved by all ages. They’re the homemade finish to the table spread.
You can put this either in a dessert bar or serve it with coffee at the end of the party. Either way, they make for a great sweet ending!
Celebrate Big with Food That Feels Special
You’ve graduated! Your guests are arriving! Your food has to match it! Taste of Belgium’s graduation party catering perfectly blends bold flavors, intricate presentation, and Belgian flair!
We appreciate that our menu is distinguished by quality, made from scratch (even including gnocchi), and has an approach to its food full of personality. Whether you’re planning a backyard cookout or a full fête, you can rest assured that Taste of Belgium will bring the fun – and flavor.
Check out our catering options and be sure to book early!
