Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Potluck Dinner

A potluck is one of the best ways to ensure you throw a lively, fun and inclusive dinner party that won’t leave your guests feeling bored – or hungry!

The idea with a potluck dinner, is that every guest brings a dish to the party. That way, everyone feels like they contributed to the event and you, as the host, won’t have to carry all the costs by yourself.

There are a few guidelines to follow when comes to throwing – and attending – a potluck dinner.

We’ve summed up the basics for you, so that you and your attending guests can be sure to have the best time.

1. Bring a dish everyone will like

The first rule of potluck club is to bring a dish that will be enjoyed by everyone and to make sure you bring enough of it!

The worst thing is when one or two guests either bring a dish that no one likes, or bring a dish that will not be enough to give everyone a portion.

You don’t want to be the person that brings one pack of chips and a small, store-bought dip.

2. Think of dishes that everyone would generally enjoy

Also it is important to make sure there is at least a portion for everyone attending.

There are also three, general rules to go by when choosing which dish you want to bring:

3. Your dish can be stored at room temperature

While this isn’t the biggest ‘must-do’, it will definitely help the host, as the fridge can get full very quickly!

4. Your dish is easy to travel with

While a big pot of gazpacho can be a great dish to bring to a potluck, it’s not the easiest to travel with. Think of dishes that will travel easily and won’t make a mess in your car, or on you.

5. Avoid dishes with long cooking times

Unless you have a completely free day and you like the idea of standing behind a stove or over for a couple of hours, rather choose a dish that doesn’t take that long to make and can quickly be served or re-heated at the host’s home.

6. Don’t choose favourites

While it is almost a guarantee that you will have a favourite and least favourite dish at the party, don’t make it too obvious as to offend another guest.

Also, if the lasagna is your favourite, don’t just go for the lasagna and leave nothing for everyone else. The idea is to try everyone’s dishes.

7. Be a good host

If you are the host, make sure you that your home or the space where you are having the potluck is clean and neat. No one likes to eat in a dirty environment.

Also make sure you check with your guests as to who is bringing what, so that you can ensure you have enough storage space in your fridge and that there aren’t two or three of the same dishes.

As a host, it is up to you to decide whether you will supply the drinks or whether you want your guests to bring their own.

8. Make sure you have great music playing

Make sure to have a selection of tunes to go along with your evening. Choose a mix of music that will suit everyone there.

Finally, remember that whether you’re the host or the guest, the idea of a potluck dinner party is that everyone shares and tastes and has fun with one another.