Potlucks are fun because everyone can show off their cooking skills while spending a memorable time together. But if you don’t plan it properly, you may then have to see a failed potluck. You sure don’t want to spoil that precious time especially when you can make the event memorable with a few simple tips and tricks.
So, here are some tips for the host and guests to enjoy a successful potluck.
1. Assign Guests Food Categories
Once your guest is ready, assign guests categories of food and ensure you have covered every food category, such as appetizers, sides, main dishes, and desserts.
You shouldn’t assign guests specific dishes. Let them be free to choose the dish they will prepare at their convenience, as long as it falls within the category you’ve assigned them.
2. Set a Theme
When you set a theme, you can easily give guests directions to prepare cohesive dishes. So, never proceed without a theme, especially for potlucks.
While still allowing guests a lot of creative freedom, crowd-pleasing themes like Italian, Mexican, or all-American BBQ dishes will ensure that the dishes’ flavors go perfectly with each other.
3. Keep Dietary Restrictions in Mind
Before anyone cooks any dishes, ask the guests if they have any dietary restrictions because you won’t want anyone to fall sick or leave the party hungry.
If any guest has dietary restrictions, inform everyone on the guest list beforehand so that they don’t prepare any dishes that can cause someone health issues.
4. Use Slow Cooker
If you want convenience for your potluck, a slow cooker can help you greatly.
The slow cooker makes food preparation easier for parties, keeps the food warm, and works great as a portable serving vessel.
Also, many crowd-pleasing slow cooker recipes are available to choose from. So, even if you are busy arranging other things for the party, a black and decker slow cooker will be enough to put together a meal and keep it warm.
5. Pack Food in Containers
If you are a guest, put food in containers that can be placed on the buffet table immediately. That way, you won’t burden your host and won’t need to use their dishes.
Just keep in mind to take any non-disposables with you home!
6. Stock Up Enough Booze
Don’t let the booze supply run out at your next potluck if you think your guests will enjoy a few sips! Ensure you have enough alcohol on hand by assigning booze as a category to one or two friends who have excellent taste.
Alternatively, the host can also take the role of the bartender to offer the perfect mixture of wine and beer to the guests.
However, don’t forget to include a few nonalcoholic beverages on the menu.
7. Include a Batch of Beverages
Who doesn’t love batch-made cocktails for large gatherings? So, you can be a thoughtful guest who brings a batch of beverages so the host can genuinely enjoy the gathering while saving time and effort.
You can bring a batch of cocktails or beverages for convenience of preparation and less hassle during the potluck.
8. Ready Your Serving Tools
This tip is for both the host and guests.
If you are a host, prepare as much as possible from your end. Your guests may not think of bringing the utensils required for serving. So remember to prepare serving spoons, tongs, trays, and some aluminum foil to cover dishes.
On the other hand, if you are a guest, don’t make the host supply everything, particularly for a large potluck. Show your thoughtfulness and bring serving tools for your dish. The host will really appreciate this gesture of yours.
9. Inform Everyone of the Number of Guests
Inform everyone of the total number of guests so that they bring enough food to feed everyone and no one leaves the party hungry.
It’s a good idea to keep the number of guests around 15-20 adults (give or take some kiddos). Otherwise, everyone may struggle to prepare enough to feed everyone, making a fun event burdensome.
10. Be Ready to Handle Leftovers
Potlucks and leftovers go hand in hand. Though after the party, guests can take their leftovers home, they should first offer the host to keep some or all of the leftovers.
If leaving the leftovers, ask the host to give you a container. You should never leave the food in your container because returning the containers can be troublesome for the host.
However, you can take leftovers home in your container.
11. Label and Return Dishes
To make it easier to return leftovers or empty containers to their owners post-party, label everything that comes into your house with a marker and a piece of masking tape.
12. Appreciate and Thank Everyone
After the successful potluck party, everyone should thank everyone for attending the party and putting forth the required effort to make the celebration successful.
Ideas for Those Who Can’t Prepare a Dish
If anyone on your guest list can’t cook or has other limitations but still wants to participate in the potluck, you can assign them other jobs so they don’t feel shy to join the party and feel left out.
- You can ask them to buy food such as cheese and crackers, chips and dip, bread or rolls, a party platter, a frozen lasagna, pre-made potato salad, or a dessert from a bakery.
- Ask them to bring drinks. For example, punch, lemonade, or an assortment of soft drinks and juice. But remember to let them know if you, the host, or other guests are planning to bring alcoholic drinks. Also, remind them to bring a bottle opener and corkscrew.
- If your friend doesn’t know how to cook but is famous for baking desserts and loves to bake Strawberry Oreo Cheesecake Bars, cookies, or cakes, you know what you need to do.
- You may ask them to bring ice to keep you from last-minute trips.
- They can also bring non-food items such as napkins, plates, cups, forks, or other decorations.
- If they have folding chairs, a patio umbrella, a tub, or a cooler for the drinks, ask them to lend these for the party.
Wrap Up
Potluck with family, friends, or colleagues can be one of the unforgettable moments of your life. It’s an event that truly exemplifies sharing and a deep sense of community.
So, for the next potluck, whether the host or guests, remember to follow the above tips to make your potluck a successful one!
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