How to Throw a Hip Potluck

Gather your friends and throw a hip potluck.

The word potluck often conjures up images of cheese-laden casseroles, finger sandwiches and cocktail weenies. However, it is possible to revamp the food offerings and update your mental image of potlucks. Trendy foods such as sushi, caviar and mimosas are easy to transport and are a refreshing change from traditional potluck fare. Great friends and great food can transform a boring dinner party into a hip potluck.

Things You'll Need

• Invitations
• Decorations
• Paper and plastic products
• Party music

Instructions

1. Pick a date and location for your potluck dinner. Take into account the number of guests as well as the season of the year. For example, don't count on using your backyard if the potluck is scheduled for a winter day. If it rains that day, you could wind up with all your guests squeezed inside the house.

2. Mail, email or hand deliver the invitations approximately two weeks before the party. This way, guests will be able to save the date or rearrange their schedules if necessary. Include a list of items that the guest can choose to bring as well as RSVP instructions.

3. Compile a master list of the categories of dishes that your guests have said they will be bringing. Some guests may ask you what they should bring. If they do, suggest they bring something from an under-represented category. A balanced potluck needs finger foods, main dishes, drinks and desserts.

4. Prepare the eating and serving areas and complete any last-minute preparations on your dishes approximately an hour before your guests are scheduled to arrive. Set out all paper products and disposable dishes as well as extra serving utensils and platters in case your guests forget to bring their own. Turn on the party music and light the candles approximately 10 minutes before your guests are scheduled to arrive.

5. As your guests arrive, arrange the dishes by category. It is best to have appetizers at the beginning of the line, main dishes in the middle and drinks at the end. This helps cut down on drink spills while guests are filling their plates.

6. Mingle with your guests and enjoy the dishes they brought. Try not to spend too much time focusing on organizing and cleaning up. Take time to enjoy the company of your guests. After the party, cleanup will be as simple as throwing disposable plates, cups and utensils into trash bags.

Tips & Warnings

• Let your guests surprise you. Instead of assigning specific dishes, assign categories of dishes.

• Be sure to ask guests about food allergies. If a certain dish contains an ingredient that people are often allergic to, such as nuts or shellfish, a warning sign set beside the dish will be appreciated.

References

• Oprah: How to Throw A Dinner Party
• A Dinner Party: How To Throw A Dinner Party And Live To Tell About It