Are the days of dinner parties over for the average Kiwi? Who can afford to put on a comprehensive spread for friends and/or family in this time of exorbitant food costs and ever-increasing costs of living? Nikki Birrell suggests reviving the pot-luck dinner, and explains some etiquette and ideas. If getting together for a bit of a “do” over winter feels like something you’d be into, but the expense puts you off, then a pot-luck may be your answer. When everyone can contribute an element to the meal, dinner parties are a far more accessible choice.
Here are some tips and techniques to make a pot-luck dinner run smoothly. Pot-luck etiquette As the host, it is expected that you will take on the main component of your meal ie it’s not a good look to have a guest bring a pot roast, while you supply chips and dip. Create a sign-up sheet with an online tool like Google Sheets or a dedicated pot-luck app to organise what each guest will bring.
This helps avoid duplicate dishes and ensures the right mix of appetisers, mains, sides and desserts. It’s also useful for tracking any dietary restrictions. Choosing a theme can help sort out what music to play, what decorations you use, how you plan to set out the table – is it buffet, is it a pizza station? etc.
As the host, you’ll need to supply the basics such as plates, cutlery, napkins and drinks. Keep it simple with a signature cocktail, or a punch bowl or batch drink like sangria, that matches your theme. Also, have non-.
