Graduation Party Catering in Bellevue

07/03/2026

Bellevue's Trusted Graduation Party Caterer

When it comes to celebrating a graduation, the details matter, and food is one of the details that guests will remember. Arista Catering brings a proven track record of full-service catering to graduation parties across the Bellevue area, backed by three consecutive Seattle Times Best Caterer in the PNW awards. Whether you’re hosting a high school graduation party or marking a college milestone, we take care of every aspect of the meal so you can focus on being there for your graduate. From intimate backyard gatherings in Bellevue to larger venue celebrations on the Eastside, our team shows up ready to deliver.

How We Plan Your Bellevue Graduation Party

Graduation season on the Eastside is a busy time. Bellevue School District ceremonies, along with events at Bellevue College and the nearby universities, tend to cluster in June. As a result, demand for catering, venues, and event rentals is high. Getting ahead of the rush makes the whole process smoother, and we encourage families to connect with us as early as possible to secure their preferred date and start building a menu.

From there, our event preparation team takes the lead. We work with you to customize your menu, confirm your headcount, and plan a setup that fits your specific space, whether that’s a Bellevue backyard, a community venue, or a private event space on the Eastside. On the day of the party, our staff handles everything from early arrival and buffet setup to managing food stations and full cleanup once the celebration wraps. Every dish is prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, so your guests are treated to a quality meal from start to finish.

Ready to get started? Get in touch today or search our menu for available dining options.

Graduation Party Catering Packages

20 person minimum order for all of these packages.

Taco Bar Graduation Party

Arista Street Tacos

Select two:

Carne Asada
Al Pastor Pork
Chorizo
Carnitas

Served With:

Street Flour Tortillas
Street Corn Tortillas
Mexican Rice
Black Beans w/ Melted Cheese
Chopped Cilantro
Sliced Cucumbers
Sliced Radishes
Limes
Spicy Salsa Roja
Mild Salsa Verde
Tortilla Chips

Add-on:

Guacamole
Churros

Arista Classic Taco Bar

Served with:

Taco Seasoned Ground Beef
Mild Red Chile Shredded Chicken
Vegan Jackfruit Taco ‘Meat”
Black Beans w/ Melted Cheese
Mexican Rice
Mexican Caesar Salad
Corn Tortillas
Flour Tortillas
Tortilla Chips

Sides:

Pico de Gallo
Fresh Salsa Roja
Fresh Salsa Verde
Shredded Lettuce
Shredded Cheddar

Add-on:

Guacamole
Churros

American Classics BBQ

Select Two:

Southern Fried Chicken
BBQ Chicken Leg Quarters
Grilled Bratwurst w/ Sauerkraut & Grilled Onions
Grilled Kielbasa Polish Sausage
1/4 Lb. All Beef Cheeseburgers
Barbecued Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Grilled All Beef Hot Dogs

Select Four:

Baked Beans
Caesar Salad
Cole Slaw
Corn on the Cob
Fresh Fruit Salad
Garden Tossed Salad
German-Style Potato Salad
Country-Style Potato Salad
Gouda Mac & Cheese w/ Bacon
Greek Pasta Salad w/ Feta
Potato Chips
Watermelon Slices
Grilled Pineapple Slices
Veggie Burgers
Spring Orzo Salad
Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Italian Graduation Party

All of the Following Included:

Chicken Parmesan – Bread chicken cutlets with marinara, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses.

Pasta Bar Choice of Two:

Fettuccini
Bowtie
Penne
Spaghetti
Rigatoni
Fusilli

Choice of Two Sauces:

Sundried Tomato Pesto Cream
Bolognese
Classic Marinara
Basil Tomato Cream Sauce
Alfredo w/ Garlic

Choice of Two Salads:

Chilled Mediterranean Roasted Vegetable Platter
Classic Caesar Salad
Caprese Salad
Antipasto Salad

Also Includes:

Garlic Bread

Dessert:

Brownies or Chocolate Chip Cookies

Luau Graduation Party Pack

Select Two:

Kalua Pork
Huli Huli BBQ Chicken
Shoyu Chicken
Lomi Lomi Salmon

Served With:

Hawaiian Rice
Tangy Coleslaw Salad
Hawaiian Mac Salad
Hawaiian Rolls

Dessert Choice of:

Ambrosia Salad
Grilled Pineapple Slices
Haupia

Vegan Graduation Party
100% Plant-Based

Choose Three Appetizers

Aloo Tikki – potatoes, onions, and various curry spices
Onion Pakoras w/ Avocado Dipping Sauce
Sesame Ginger Tofu Skewers w/ Peanut Dipping Sauce

All of the following are included:

Black Bean and Corn Salsa
Pad Thai Salad w/ Peanuts
Avocado, Mango, and Jicama Salad w/ Cuervo Orange Vinaigrette

Served Hot Choose Two:

Vegan Pesto Penne
Baked Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers w/ Chipotle Pineapple Sauce
Beet Sliders
Vegan Cheesesteak Sliders
Mac ‘n Cheeseless Baked Pasta

Bellevue Graduation Party Catering FAQs

How far in advance should I book graduation catering in Bellevue?

We recommend reaching out at least 6 to 8 weeks before your event, and sooner if you’re planning a June party. Graduation season brings a surge of catering requests across the Eastside, and preferred dates fill up quickly. If you’re working with a shorter timeline, contact us anyway—our team will do their best to accommodate based on availability.

How do I figure out how much food to order for a graduation open house?

The open-house format changes the math. Since guests arrive and leave throughout the event, and many are attending multiple parties the same day, you generally need less food per person than a traditional sit-down meal. A good starting point is planning for 30 to 50% less than a standard dinner portion per guest, plus a 10 to 15% buffer for unexpected attendees. Our team will walk you through the right quantities once we know your timing, format, and expected turnout.

What type of catering setup works best for a graduation party?

Interactive setups like buffets and build-your-own stations tend to work best. They suit the relaxed, come-and-go nature of most graduation parties, keep lines moving, and let guests customize their plates to fit their own preferences and dietary needs. Options like a taco bar, BBQ buffet, or Italian pasta station consistently perform well because they’re approachable for all ages and easy to eat in a social setting.

What is the difference between drop-off and full-service catering?

With drop-off catering, food is delivered ready to serve, but everything after that falls on you. Full-service means our staff is on-site from setup through cleanup, managing the food stations so you don’t have to. Most families hosting a graduation party find that full-service allows them to actually enjoy the event rather than spending it coordinating behind the scenes.

How do I make sure there are good options for guests with dietary restrictions?

The simplest solution is choosing a menu built around customization. When guests can build their own plates, accommodating vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free needs becomes part of the format rather than an exception. Let us know about any dietary considerations early in the planning process, and we’ll make sure the menu accommodates your entire guest list.

Do you cater graduation parties at private residences in Bellevue?

We do. It’s a format we know well. Our team brings everything needed to run a full catering operation on-site without relying on your home kitchen. We handle setup, service, and cleanup from start to finish. Should you need additional equipment, such as tables, chairs, or an outdoor tent, we can connect you with our trusted rental partners in the area.

What's the best way to prepare for an outdoor graduation party in June on the Eastside?

June in the Bellevue area tends to be comfortable, but the weather on the Eastside can be unpredictable in early summer. We always recommend having a contingency plan, such as a tent or canopy, in case conditions change. Beyond weather, think through the practical side: where the food stations will be positioned, whether there’s enough shade to keep food at safe temperatures, and how guests will move through the space. We factor all of this in when planning your setup.

What should I take care of before my graduation party to keep things on track?

Start with a headcount estimate, even if it’s rough, so your catering plan has a foundation to build on. Settle on a party format early, since that decision shapes everything from menu selection to staffing needs. Then, walk through your event space with logistics in mind, noting where the buffet will be set up and whether the layout supports guest flow. Finally, a week before the event, connect with your catering team to lock in the final headcount, review any dietary needs, and confirm arrival times and responsibilities on both sides.

What is the minimum guest count for graduation party catering in Bellevue?

All of our graduation party packages require a minimum of 20 guests. Reach out, and we’ll help you put together the right plan for your event size and budget.