With all the party happening this festive season (thank you, warm weather), a potluck is a casual and budget-friendly way to bring all your friends together for a delicious gathering. Follow these three tips to make sure it’s a success.
WHAT IS A POTLUCK?
A potluck dinner is a get-together where each guest contributes to the meal with an (often homemade) dish to be shared by all. Here are some tips to host a successful potluck party:
1. ORGANISATION IS KEY
It doesn’t matter if your potluck is an impromptu party or a get-together that’s finally moved past the planning stage on your WhatsApp group, organisation is the key to any party success story. If you’re a bigger group, create a Google Sheet with categories (starters, main dishes, side dishes, desserts and beverages) and everyone can choose which type of dish to bring. Not only will this online document provide structure, but it will also be flexible enough to adapt to everyone’s culinary needs and abilities. By keeping track of this sheet, you will avoid a situation where, for example, everyone brings spaghetti bolognaise to the event.
2. BE MINDFUL OF DIETARY RESTRICTIONS
Ask your guests about any food restrictions ahead of time and make a note of it on your Google Sheet. Then, as host, you can see which dish(es) to prepare so that there is at least one meal that everyone can eat. “If you’re hosting the party, offer to prepare a small dish to accommodate the guest(s). Another idea is to print ‘contains dairy, meat, wheat, etc.’ on small cards and place them next to the dish,” says Ronda Carman, author of The Art of Pantry Cooking: Meals for Family and Friends.
3. KEEP A KITCHEN SCHEDULE
Encourage your guests to bring ready-to-eat dishes to keep kitchen use to a minimum. Check with your guests and prepare a kitchen schedule to accommodate everyone who will need to reheat, bake or fry their dishes before serving.
1. ORGANISATION IS KEY
It doesn’t matter if your potluck is an impromptu party or a get-together that’s finally moved past the planning stage on your WhatsApp group, organisation is the key to any party success story. If you’re a bigger group, create a Google Sheet with categories (starters, main dishes, side dishes, desserts and beverages) and everyone can choose which type of dish to bring. Not only will this online document provide structure, but it will also be flexible enough to adapt to everyone’s culinary needs and abilities. By keeping track of this sheet, you will avoid a situation where, for example, everyone brings spaghetti bolognaise to the event.
2. BE MINDFUL OF DIETARY RESTRICTIONS
Ask your guests about any food restrictions ahead of time and make a note of it on your Google Sheet. Then, as host, you can see which dish(es) to prepare so that there is at least one meal that everyone can eat. “If you’re hosting the party, offer to prepare a small dish to accommodate the guest(s). Another idea is to print ‘contains dairy, meat, wheat, etc.’ on small cards and place them next to the dish,” says Ronda Carman, author of The Art of Pantry Cooking: Meals for Family and Friends.
3. KEEP A KITCHEN SCHEDULE
Encourage your guests to bring ready-to-eat dishes to keep kitchen use to a minimum. Check with your guests and prepare a kitchen schedule to accommodate everyone who will need to reheat, bake or fry their dishes before serving.
@danlhoang food for days 🤤 #christmaspotluck #potluckidea #potluck #potlucktheme #christmas #friendsmas #christmasdinner #christmasfeast #fyp #foryoupage ♬ It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas - Michael Bublé
3 TIPS FOR PLANNING A SUCCESSFUL POTLUCK PARTY
Reviewed by Amaarah
on
November 27, 2024
Rating:
Reviewed by Amaarah
on
November 27, 2024
Rating:
