Homecoming at Richmond’s Collegiate School is a three-event marathon that feeds alumni, parents, students, and VIPs over two packed days. Groovin’ Gourmets handled every bite—rolling with last-minute weather shifts, overflow crowds, and a menu that ran from raw-bar elegance to backyard-style barbecue.
Friday Night Oyster Roast & BBQ Bash
Venue: Outdoor quad • Guests: 400+
| What We Served |
How We Made It Shine |
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Raw oysters displayed in a custom wooden boat |
Eye-catching centerpiece doubled as a self-serve raw bar. |
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Grilled oysters with Cajun compound butter |
One live-fire station kept the line moving and the aroma irresistible. |
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Full barbecue buffet + classic sides |
Delicious and Plentiful pans of food were enjoyed by all. |
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Client-favorite craft kegs on tap |
We sourced and chilled kegs, then tapped them from a branded beer truck staffed by our bartenders. |
Key Moment
Quick-pivot busing and clearing crews cycled through the outdoor space every 15 minutes, keeping shucks and sauce cups from piling up so guests focused on fun—not mess.
Saturday Homecoming Tailgate
Venue: Main athletic field • Guests: 600+
The Curveball
An overnight downpour turned the turf into soup. By sunrise, the forecast threatened more rain.
Our Playbook
- Secured a large-frame tent before dawn and coordinated delivery.
- Added temporary flooring the morning of to stop the site from becoming a mud pit.
- Shifted hot-holding cabinets onto rubber-tired carts for traction in soft ground.
Result
Lines stayed dry, shoes stayed clean, and guests raved about the elevated tailgate menu consisting of a pasta station, an Asian cuisine station, and a salmon entrée station.
Saturday Evening Alumni Dinner
Venue: Alumni courtyard • Guests: 100 (20 more than projected)
The day’s final act ran flawlessly thanks to surplus mise en place and a culinary team ready for surprise headcount spikes. Additional tables were set in five minutes, and every plate left the kitchen hot.
Why Groovin’ Gourmets Worked for Collegiate
- Scalable Staffing – Three crews rotated across venues without stretching thin.
- On-Site Equipment Fleet – Mobile hot boxes, live-fire grills, and modular plating stations let us cook anywhere.
- Rapid Problem-Solving – From custom oyster boats to tent flooring, we source solutions as fast as challenges appear.
- Consistent Brand Experience – Whether sipping IPA at the beer truck or dining under chandeliers, guests felt the same Groovin’ Gourmets polish.
Planning a Campus Event That Can’t Slip?
Trust the caterer that turns rainstorms and headcount spikes into seamless service. Let’s talk about your next big weekend.