10+
Years in Melbourne
30+
Years Combined Experience
5.0
Google Rating ★★★★★
100%
Staff & Chef Included
The Full Picture
A Year 12 graduation dinner is one of those nights students and parents remember for a long time. An awards night is someone’s proudest moment. A university faculty dinner sets the tone for important relationships. The catering at each of these isn’t just background, it’s part of the experience.
HLB Catering brings 30 years of combined industry experience to every school and university event we cater across Melbourne. We understand the planning pressures that come with institutional events, and we make it easy.
You deal with enough. Leave the catering to us.
What We Handle
Professional wait staff and a skilled chef for the entire event
Full setup and pack-down at your venue
All dietary requirements including vegan, gluten-free and halal
Scalable from intimate staff events through to large graduation ceremonies
Crockery, cutlery and linen included in buffet and seated meal packages
Complimentary tasting for events with 70 or more guests
Working With Your Budget
Every school and university we work with has a number in mind, and we work with it. We’ll sit down with you, understand what you’re working with, and put together a menu that looks and tastes incredible within that budget. No compromises on presentation, no cutting corners on quality.
What we customise is the menu, not the experience. Your students, parents and staff will have a night that feels genuinely special, whatever the budget looks like.
Custom menus built around your budget
Tell us what you’re working with and we’ll design a menu that delivers on quality and presentation. We’ve done this for schools of all sizes across Melbourne.
Every dietary requirement covered
School events bring together diverse groups with a wide range of dietary needs. We work closely with you to make sure every guest, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, or allergen-specific, has something genuinely delicious on the table. Not an afterthought. Part of the menu.
Beautiful presentation, always
Regardless of the budget, the food will look the part. Presentation matters to us and it shows in everything we put on the table. Your event deserves that, and so do your guests.
Events We Cater
From the biggest night of the school calendar to the weekly staff meeting, we make the food and service easy.
Graduation Ceremonies
Year 12 graduation dinners, Year 6 farewells, university graduation celebrations and TAFE college graduations. Seated dinners, cocktail receptions, grazing tables or a combination that suits your budget and guest list.
Year 12 Formals · Year 6 Farewells · University Graduations · TAFE Ceremonies
Awards & Presentation Nights
Academic awards nights, scholarship presentation dinners, student leadership events and sporting achievement nights. We create a dining experience that matches the significance of the occasion.
Academic Awards · Scholarship Dinners · Student Leadership · Sports Presentations
Staff & Faculty Events
Professional development days, staff appreciation lunches, school council meetings, board dinners and university faculty functions. Whether it’s morning tea for 20 or a formal dinner for 150, we’ve got it covered.
PD Days · Staff Lunches · Board Meetings · Faculty Dinners
Open Days & Orientation
School open days, information evenings, university orientation days and college enrolment events. A well-catered open day leaves a strong first impression on prospective students and their families. We make that easy to deliver.
Open Days · Information Nights · Orientation · Enrolment Events
End of Year Celebrations
End-of-year parties, student farewell events, teacher appreciation lunches and school community celebrations. November and December are our busiest months for school catering. Book early to secure your date.
End of Year Parties · Student Farewells · Teacher Appreciation · Community Events
Parent & Community Events
Parent-teacher evenings, school fundraising events, school fetes, sports carnivals and student union gatherings. We keep things relaxed and well-organised so the focus stays where it should be, on your community.
P&T Evenings · Fundraisers · Sports Carnivals · Student Union Events
Catering Packages
Every school event has a different feel. We work with you to find the right format, whether that’s a formal sit-down dinner or a relaxed grazing setup.
Seated Meals
The right choice for graduation dinners and awards nights. A refined alternate drop dinner with 2, 3 or 4 courses. Includes premium crockery, cutlery, table linen, shared garden salad and dinner rolls. Vegetarian options available on request.
From $85pp | Min 60 guests
Buffet
A relaxed, well-presented buffet with 3 mains and 3 sides. Styled with fresh flowers and candlelight. Includes crockery, cutlery, staff and chef. Works well for end-of-year events and larger school celebrations where a seated dinner isn’t needed.
$68pp | Min 50 guests
Feast Shared Platters
A great middle ground. Artisan bread and canapés on arrival, followed by 2 shared mains and 4 sides on the table. Finishes with dessert on trays. Creates a relaxed, social atmosphere while still feeling special. Popular for parent evenings and community events.
$90pp | Min 60 guests
Canapés
Elegantly presented bites passed by our team throughout your event. Works beautifully for open days, information nights, cocktail-style receptions and as a welcome addition before a formal dinner. The Festive package offers 6 selections over 2 hours.
From $48pp | Min 40 guests
Grazing Tables
A visually impressive spread of cured meats, artisan cheeses, seasonal produce and breads. Styled 1.5 to 2 hours before guests arrive. Works brilliantly for open days, cocktail hours before a formal dinner and end-of-year celebrations. Eco-friendly disposable plates and serviceware included.
From $29.50pp | Min 40 guests
HLB Signature Cocktail Pack
Three hours unlimited service including 3 canapés, 2 hearty bites and 3 bowl food dishes. All-inclusive with professional staff and chef. A great option for cocktail-style graduation receptions and end-of-year events where you want variety and energy without a sit-down format.
$75pp | Min 40 guests
All pricing current as at May 2026.
What Clients Say
“
The food across all three days was absolutely delicious, beautifully presented and incredibly generous. The presentation and overall setup were impeccable and really elevated the experience for everyone attending. Everything felt polished, professional and thoughtfully executed.
Agora Gynaecology Clinic, Melbourne ★★★★★
Google Review
“
Lucas, Angela and the whole team were amazing. They brought such a great energy to our event and made everything feel effortless. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. Beyond just the food, their kindness and professionalism really stood out.
R.S. | Office Event, Melbourne ★★★★★
Google Review
“
The food was fresh, well presented and very well received. Communication with Leo before and on the day was seamless and reassuring, which made everything feel easy and stress free. Would definitely recommend and will be using them again.
L.M. | Offsite Meetings, Melbourne ★★★★★
Google Review
Common Questions
Get in Touch
Tell us about your event and we’ll put together a catering package that fits your guest count, your venue and your budget. We’d love to be part of making it a night your students, staff and families remember.
events@hlbcatering.com.au | (03) 8503 7394