Graduation Celebration Luncheon

Wraps appeal to all ages. I chose these three different kinds for different palates: a traditional club, a chicken pesto and for the vegetarians/vegans a hummus wrap. Simplify by making only one or two kinds. Recruit three different family members to make each wrap. Or set up a “make-your-own-wrap” station so you don’t have to worry about assembling each wrap.

Preparation Guide

1. One week before buy all the groceries except for berries

• Prepare the Graduation Centerpiece jars with number tags
• Prepare the “Memory Jar”
• Prepare photo banner

2. Three days out

• Make the “graduation cap” for the fruit salad
• Wrap the flatware in napkins and tie with ribbon to look like diplomas
• If not using store-bought pesto make the Basil Pesto (for Chicken Pesto Wraps)
• Make Southwest Hummus (for Southwest Hummus Wraps)

3. Two days out

• Make Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes. When completely cool, store in a covered container
• Make Chocolate Graduation Caps

4. Day before

• Buy flowers, berries and rotisserie chicken
• Hang up Graduation Photo Banner
• Prepare Graduation Centerpiece with flowers
• Set up Memory Jar with pens and cards
• Set up drink station
• Set up buffet table with serving platters and utensils and plates
• Prep the wraps: Cook bacon, Cut up chicken for Chicken Pesto Wraps, Cut (I use a mandoline) red bell pepper and carrots for Chicken Pesto Wraps, Dice tomatoes, chop cilantro (and jalapeño if using) for Southwest Hummus Wraps
• Prep salad
• Make salad dressing
• Wash, hull and quarter strawberries
• Toast walnuts
• Prep watermelon fruit basket
• Make fruit salad
• Prepare watermelon (cut in half, scoop out flesh and cut into bite-size pieces)
• Make Hibiscus Ice Tea and Raspberry Lemonade
• Frost the Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes
• Set up dessert table

5. Morning of the event

• Put Chocolate Graduation Caps on Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes
• Place tortilla chips and Southwest Hummus in serving bowls on buffet table
• Make Turkey Club Wraps, place on serving platter. Cover with plastic wrap and put in refrigerator
• Make Chicken Pesto Wraps, place on serving platter. Cover with plastic wrap and put in refrigerator
• Make Southwest Hummus Wraps, place on serving platter. Cover with plastic wrap and put in refrigerator
• Put fruit salad in watermelon basket
• Prep salad (mix everything except salad dressing)

6. An hour before serving

• Take wraps out of refrigerator and put on buffet table
• Place cantaloupe in watermelon basket, put graduation cap on cantaloupe
• Place bowl of watermelon on buffet table
• Toss salad with dressing and place on buffet table