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Food & Drink

The 10 commandments of a successful potluck

No. 1 Thou shalt know who’s bringing what

The idea of a potluck is to have a variety of dishes. (You don’t want three people bringing the same things or it winds up being a contest about who did it best). Ask your guests what they’re cooking to ensure there’ll be appetizers, meats, vegetables, sides and sweets.

No. 2 Thou shalt take the home advantage

Hosting the potluck means you don’t have to worry whether your dish will survive a journey. Make something that others would have a hard time producing: crispy fried wings, an ice cream dessert, a big pot of soup, fondue pot – anything that would need a small miracle to survive the TTC.

No. 3 Thou shalt ask about allergies or food restrictions

If one guest is a vegetarian or allergic to shellfish, not every dish has to fit the bill, but do ensure there’ll be at least two or three things they can fill up on so they don’t feel excluded. This includes dessert: everyone needs dessert.

No. 4 Thou shalt have enough plates, glasses and cutlery

Teacup saucers should not double as dinner plates, and you shouldn’t have one guest eating with a plastic fork while everyone else gets to use metal. Do a head count beforehand and lay in enough flatware and plates for all invitees (as well as serving ware for all dishes). Or make a trip to the store for disposable and biodegradable ones for everyone.

No. 5 Thou shalt have fridge space

Clear a shelf in case a dessert or salad needs to be chilled or someone brings a six- or 12-pack. 

No. 6 Thou shalt have a clean kitchen workspace

That casserole has to be reheated, the pasta needs to stay warm in the oven till the latecomers arrive, and the chocolate needs to be melted and drizzled on top of the dessert. There’s always someone who asks if they can duck into the kitchen to finish their dish.

No. 7 Thou shalt keep the shoe pile in check

Keep the pile of shoes in the foyer as tidy as possible, making sure they’re matched up and no one’s wet boots are lying on top of someone else’s suede pumps. We’ve all been that guest who spent an extra 10 minutes searching for the other shoe in the pile.

No. 8 Thou shalt have spare TTC tokens

Have a few spare tokens (or cab fare) on hand in case a boozed-up guest is leaving the car at your place for the night. Your friend can treat you to brunch the morning after.

No. 9 Thou shalt let your guests help with cleanup

Guests are always asking if they can help in any way, and there’s something about the kitchen that makes everyone at a party gravitate that way. So let them feel useful and give them dish duties – a host should be mingling, not cooped up in the kitchen. Also: they brought the casserole dish? They can wash it.

No. 10 Thou shalt send a thank-you note the next day

The thank-you note is an old-timey but simple, thoughtful tradition. You don’t have to go to the extreme of mailing fancy notecards, but an email thanking everyone for their contribution is much appreciated. You can also take the opportunity to ask if anyone left their glove or serving dish at your place.

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