10 Tips for the
(Almost) Perfect Potluck
Nº 1 Lay the table and clear the
surfaces that will hold the food. Make
sure you’re prepared to receive food
when your guests arrive. The appearance
of readiness is everything.
Nº
2 Before guests arrive, preheat
the oven for anything that needs to
be warmed.
Nº
3 Clear a couple of shelves in the
fridge for food that needs to be kept cold.
Nº
4 Delegate all dishes except for the
main course — it sets the theme for the
evening and anchors the rest of the food.
Nº
5 Create an online sign-up sheet
so that you can see who’s bringing what.
Then you won’t end up with 12 salads and
one dessert.
Nº
6 We all have that friend. Ask anyone
who isn’t such a great cook to bring cheese,
ice cream, bread or drinks.
Nº
7 Don’t assign drinks or appetizers
to friends who are chronically late. Just in
case, though, have a bowl of nuts and a
back-up beverage ready to go.
Nº
8 Ask people to bring their own
serving utensils just in case you don’t have
enough ladles, spatulas or salad tongs.
Nº
9 Keep things relatively classy by
mixing disposable items with the real deal.
For example, use paper plates and cups with
cloth napkins and real silverware.
Nº 10 Don’t panic. Your party
may not be perfect, but no one will
go home hungry.
