Potluck Planning

Potluck planning

What is "POTLUCK"?

Most of life’s greatest memories include friends and family gathering around meals. Potluck feasts give the ideal opportunity to bring everyone’s expertise to the table. Organizing a huge crowd can take a little extra work, so a potluck is the best way to keep everything in hand.

A potluck is a gathering of people where each person or group of people shares a platter of food prepared by the person or the group of people. 

Organizing a potluck can be a piece of work but it’s not as much work as cooking. The word “potluck” indicates a random variety of meals, it’s expected to turn out great when the host gives it a little touch in organizing by taking out extra serving platters, baskets, and utensils before the guests arrive. 

  • Provide Guidelines: Suggest serving size information in advance. 
  • Examine Resources: If hosting or organizing a potluck outside of your home, make sure to understand basic logistics including available bbq space, water, number of tables, chairs, bathrooms, etc.
  • Remember the Essentials: In addition to plates, cutlery, napkins, and cups, get extra serving utensils. 
  • Drinks: Adding a separate drink station and make sure it has plenty of variety and enough for the guests. 
  • Sign Ups are Essential: Make sure you have enough food for each portion of the meals, like appetizers, entrees, sides, and desserts. 
  • Presentation: Presentation of the table is a big factor in a potluck like candles, flowers, or a centerpiece decor.
  • Organize by Category: The table has to be organized according to categories which include appetizers, salads, entrees, sides, and separate stations for dessert and drinks.
  • Provide Signs: Have signs ready for guests with the name of their dish when they arrive. 
  • Purchase Disposable Containers and Foil:  It will save time and cleanup will be faster.
  • Prepare for leftovers: There’s often a lot of food left after a potluck. The best way is to bring reusable takeout containers so guests can take some portions of their favorites home.

Follow the rules of food safety

Perishable foods shouldn’t be out at room temp for more than two hours, or for more than one hour if you’re outside on a hot day. 

 

 

If possible, keep cold perishable foods on ice the whole time.

 

 

Keep hot foods at 135°F or hotter, in a slow cooker or separate warmers.

 

 

Refrigerate leftovers immediately in containers with lids on.

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How to Select a Potluck Dish

Help guide your dish choice by the seasonal vegetables or fruits.

the audience should be the priority in a potluck dish choice.

the dish has to be according to the selection of a location, i.e, serving is outdoors or indoors.

On occasion, a host desires to wrap their potluck around a particular event or a certain theme. cook accordingly.