Potluck 101: How Much Food To Bring to a Potluck

I’m glad to bring you another installment of Potluck 101: valuable insights and tips for hosting and participating in potlucks. Potlucks are a fantastic way to bring people together and enjoy a diverse spread of delicious homemade dishes. However, deciding how much food to bring can be a daunting task. In this blog post, I'll provide you with practical advice to help you determine the perfect amount of food to contribute to your next potluck gathering.

Summary: Try to ensure the following serving quantities per attendee for each course: 2-3 appetizer servings, 1 main course serving, 2 side dish servings, and 1 dessert serving.  If you’re curious about how much food is in one serving, check out this cooking for a crowd calculator.

Assessing the Size of the Potluck

When preparing for a potluck, it's crucial to consider the number of attendees. Take a moment to find out how many people are expected to participate. This will serve as the foundation for determining the right quantity of food to bring. Remember, the more people attending, the more variety and quantity of dishes you can expect.If you're hosting the potluck or responsible for coordinating it, I recommend using Lome's potluck app. This convenient online potluck sign-up sheet allows participants to easily communicate their dish choices and offers features to help streamline the planning process. Head over to Lome's website to create your free account and coordinate your next potluck effortlessly.

Appetizers and Finger Foods

Appetizers and finger foods are a great way to kick off a potluck and whet everyone's appetite. When deciding how many appetizers to bring, consider the overall number of guests and the variety of dishes that will be available. As a general guideline, plan for approximately 2-3 appetizer servings per person.For a potluck with 20 attendees, you would aim for around 40-60 appetizer servings. Keep in mind that not all guests will try every appetizer, so it's better to have a variety of options rather than excessive quantities of a single dish. If you're uncertain about what to prepare, classics like bruschetta, cheese platters, and vegetable trays are always crowd-pleasers.

Don't forget to sign up for Lome's potluck app to coordinate your appetizer choices with the other participants. This will ensure a well-balanced spread and avoid duplicates. Visit Lome's website to get started and make your potluck planning a breeze.

Main Dishes and Side Dishes

Main dishes and side dishes are the heart and soul of a potluck feast. These dishes tend to be more substantial and filling, so it's essential to strike a balance and avoid excessive portions. As a general rule, plan for one main dish serving and one or two side dish servings per person. For example, if you have 30 guests, you would aim for approximately 30 main dish servings and 60 side dish servings. This will ensure that there's enough variety to satisfy everyone's tastes while preventing an overwhelming surplus of food.

To coordinate your main and side dish choices seamlessly, make use of Lome's potluck app. By signing up on the app, you can see what others are bringing and avoid duplications. Simplify your potluck planning by heading over to Lome's website and signing up for their user-friendly online potluck sign-up sheet.

Desserts

No potluck is complete without a sweet ending. Desserts are often a highlight of any gathering, and it's worth ensuring there's a plentiful selection for everyone to indulge in. When it comes to desserts, plan for about one dessert per person, considering the overall number of attendees. For example, if you have 25 guests, aim for around 25 dessert servings. This will provide a wide range of sweet options, from cakes and cookies to fruit salads and pies.

To avoid overlapping dessert choices, use Lome's potluck app to coordinate and sign up for your preferred dessert. You can browse through other participants' selections and ensure a diverse dessert spread that will satisfy everyone's sweet tooth.

Now that you have a better understanding of how much food to bring to a potluck, you can confidently plan your next gathering. Remember to assess the size of the potluck, coordinate appetizers, main dishes, side dishes, and desserts accordingly. And for a hassle-free potluck planning experience, don't forget to utilize Lome's potluck app to coordinate your next potluck with ease. Happy potluck planning!