What’s better than getting together with your friends and having a grand time with quality eats? Hot take: A potluck.
What is a potluck?
A potluck is a gathering where everyone brings a prepared dish to be shared among the group. The variety of food that gets brought depends on the guidelines you provide.
Potlucks can also have a theme to add more fun and excitement. Regardless of how you organise it, the main goal should be to create an event that engages people and encourages them to connect.
Here are a few tips for hosting the perfect potluck party.
Set the theme of the party
A potluck party doesn’t necessarily need a theme, however, a themed party provides a clear direction to guests for what dishes to bring.
For you as the host, a theme streamlines the planning process by narrowing down the decor choices and giving a cohesive look to the event.
Identify what you’re responsible for as the host
Pick out the dish(es) you know you want to provide to set the foundation for the meal. If there’s a main course, consider taking on the main meat or protein, pasta noodles, or pizza crust.
This way if you know you want a certain flavour or seasoning to find its way into every meal, you get to make that happen.
Assign guests categories of food
This is arguably the most critical potluck party tip. A potluck is inherently fun due to its spontaneous nature. But when planning a complete party, you want a full meal. That means you want to avoid repeated foods or missing food groups.
At your next potluck, assign guests categories of food to work with, so you don't end up with only bags of chips or bakery cookies.
Accommodate food restrictions
Do not assume everyone is an omnivore. Some people are dairy-adverse or have food allergies.
Ask guests about food restrictions ahead of time and make a note of dietary constraints at the top of your potluck party sign-up sheet; ensure that everyone has something to eat within every category, from appetisers to desserts.
You shouldn't, however, rely on others to accommodate these needs - as the host, it's your responsibility to ensure everyone has something to eat at your event.
Manage the kitchen
Another potluck idea to create a relaxed atmosphere is to manage the traffic in your kitchen.
While some guests will bring their contributions in serving dishes ready to be shared at room temperature, others may need counter space to finish cooking or warming in the oven.
Ask for this information in advance and create a schedule. Additionally, ask guests to write the temperature and warming time needed on sticky notes placed directly on their dishes.