Hosting a party and enjoying friends, family, conversation, and good food may sound like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. An easy fix for an inexpensive gathering is a potluck dinner.
Origins of Potluck:
A potluck is a gathering of people where each person or group of people contributes a dish of food to be shared among the group. The word "potluck" is commonly believed to have come from English origin. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the term "potluck" in print to the 16th century – “Potluck: one's luck or chance as to what may be in the pot, i.e. cooked for a meal; used in reference to a person accepting another's hospitality at a meal without any special preparation having been made for him; to take pot-luck. To take what is offered to you”. This notion of the luck of the pot goes back to Elizabethan times, when an unannounced guest was invited to share potluck, i.e., the contents of the large cast-iron pot on the hearth, with the rest of the family . . .
A potluck is a gathering of people where each person or group of people contributes a dish of food to be shared among the group. The word "potluck" is commonly believed to have come from English origin. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the term "potluck" in print to the 16th century – “Potluck: one's luck or chance as to what may be in the pot, i.e. cooked for a meal; used in reference to a person accepting another's hospitality at a meal without any special preparation having been made for him; to take pot-luck. To take what is offered to you”. This notion of the luck of the pot goes back to Elizabethan times, when an unannounced guest was invited to share potluck, i.e., the contents of the large cast-iron pot on the hearth, with the rest of the family . . .
In the last quarter of the 19th century, the surprise-me aspect of potluck has increased with the invention of the potluck supper, to which each invitee is expected to bring a "dish to pass" or a "dish to share". The contemporary American definition of "pot luck" thus emerges – “Potluck: a meal composed of whatever is available or a meal (also called a "carry in" or "covered dish meal") whereby different people bring different dishes to a social gathering.” Potluck dinners are often organized by religious or community groups because they capitalize on individual specialties and minimize individual costs. Smaller, more informal get-togethers with distributed food preparation may also be called potlucks. The only traditional rule is that each dish be large enough to be shared among a good portion (but not necessarily all) of the anticipated guests. In some cases each participant agrees ahead of time to bring a single course, and the result is a multi-course meal. Guests may bring in any form of food, ranging from the main course to desserts.
How to plan a potluck:
Although the term "potluck" suggests a random assortment of dishes, it's likely to turn out better when the host does a little bit of organizing.
Although the term "potluck" suggests a random assortment of dishes, it's likely to turn out better when the host does a little bit of organizing.
- Decide on a theme so that all of the dishes will compliment one another. An Italian night is a good idea, since everyone usually has a favorite Italian recipe and the dishes can be made in advance and transported to the party quite easily.
- Give each of your guests a dish assignment as well as a tentative head count. By assigning a specific dish to each guest, you will avoid duplications. Some online invitation services, such as mypunchbowl.com, have organizational tools built in to help you track the details right in the invitation of who is bringing what – such as appetizers, side dishes, dessert, and beverages. As the host, you might want to provide the main course, but you can certainly assign that dish as well. Although you should let guests know the theme, don’t ask for the specific recipe(s) they plan to use since not knowing is part of the fun!
- Tell your guests that recipes don't need to be fancy. Those that were passed down through generations are often the most well-received, as there is usually a family story attached to them. Casseroles are popular potluck fare, as well as baked pastas and roasts.
- Dishes should be completed efore arrival to your home. No last minute chopping or garnishing – a quick reheat in the oven should be all that is necessary.
- Make sure you have plenty of plates, cups, plastic ware and condiments. Don't forget to budget for prep time; unless everyone is bringing cold dishes, heating is required.
- Stock up on plastic cling wrap and zip lock bags so that guests can take home doggie bags.
Enjoy!
For more info:
- Food: A Dictionary of Literal and Nonliteral Terms, Robert A. Palmatier [Greenwood Press:Westport] 2000
- The Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink, John F. Mariani [Lebhar-Friedman:New York] 1999
- The Rituals of Dinner: The Origins, Evolution, Eccentricities and Meaning of Table Manners, Margaret Visser [Penguin Books:New York] 1991
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