Pot Luck Etiquitte, Tips, Horror Stories

[gbaglo]

I haven't been to a pot-luck since I was a preacher's kid in Saskatchewan. All I can remember is green Jello with carrots embedded in it. I think I made a meal of the buns.

So, with a pot-luck looming at the First Ever Escape rally in Merritt, I have to ask.

There will be 65 people attending the rally. How do you determine how much to bring, once you've figured out what to bring, and how do you figure that out?

I'd ask more questions, but lacking any knowledge on the subject, I don't know what to ask.

baglo

[majaross]

The general rule of thumb is to multiply the number of courses by the number of eaters in your particular party, e.g. two in the family attending a four-course potluck (e.g. nibblies, salad, main, dessert) would bring 2 x 4 portions of whatever they're donating, or 8 portions all told. That way, nobody goes hungry.

To check it out: if we have 80 people attending a four course potluck, we'll need 80 x 4 or 320 portions of food (including all courses). If everybody brings food at the rate of 1 x 4 per person, we'll have 320 x 4 portions, and come out right.

IMHO, if Tammy can give us the number of participants and the number of courses, each Escape-load of us can figure out how much of our particular specialty to bring. Bringing nibblies, and there's two of you? Bring nibblies for 8 -- and so on.

Maybe we should put an embargo on green jello . . . However, seriously I wonder about allergies. It would be nice if everybody could make for display a little sign listing ingredients, so those of us allergic to something could know to avoid that particular dish. In my case, that would be sunflower seeds or sunflower oil (Becel margerine, sunflower cooking oil, and the like). That way, we can avoid shadowing the festivities by having to call an ambulance for somebody having an anaphylacic reaction.

[majaross]

OOPS! I've botched paragraph two above -- it should read If everybody brings food at the rate of 1 x 4 per person, we'll have 80 x 4 portions, and come out right.

Sorry -- as Ann Landers used to say (remember Ann Landers, anybody ?) ten lashes with a wet noodle!

[escape artist]

HI; all...What's wrong with "Green Jello!!! Just add crushed drained pinapple and a handfull of walnuts along with the grated carrots and you've got it made!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[gbaglo]

So, everybody brings 4 x as much as they would regularly eat themselves
I'm not grasping the concept. Wouldn't there be a lot of leftovers?

So, if a meal were a salad and prime rib and roast potato and cheese cake ( four dishes ) then I should bring eight steaks ( four for me and four for Les ) or eight baked potatoes?

I have a lot to learn.

baglo

[JeffZ]

You & me.. I have no clue on the pot luck, but that's why I just probablyt show up with brownies & beer

[gbaglo]

I hope you're getting the ingredients for the brownies here in B.C. We're known for our bud ( I mean beer ... ) ... never mind.

baglo

[majaross]

"So, if a meal were a salad and prime rib and roast potato and cheese cake ( four dishes ) then I should bring eight steaks ( four for me and four for Les ) or eight baked potatoes?"

That's pretty close, except you'd be bringing eight steaks (main course) -- 1 for Les, 1 for you, and 6 others to be eaten by the six people who supply your starter, nibblies, and deserts. It all comes out even. And I think that's why darned few people bring steaks to potlucks -- crackers & cheese appies are one thing, but steaks are something else. Not that anybody would refuse to eat them if they appeared!

[Jim Bennett]

Nobody ever leaves a potluck hungry, that's for sure. I always enjoy potlucks. One tends to take only small portions of most things so they can try dishes out.

Bring a favourite dish, it could be a stew, lasagna, backed beans, Caesar salad, cheesecake, or whatever.

I don't think I have ever seen green jello at a potluck myself.

[escape artist]

Hi: gbaglo...Here's a simple no fail recipe for potluck meatball apps!!! Put 1lb. of M&Ms Turkey meatballs in the slo cooker. Add a can of whole berry cranberry
sauce mashed a little mustard and a splash of beer to taste and heat on lo all day. Serve with toothpicks to eat them with. Tastes great with more beer!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[cheryls]

I've never been to a potluck where they've run out of food... too much has always been my experience. Just bring something you like and chances are other people will like it too!

[Hokie Escape]

Glenn, here's an easy rule of thumb for a potluck:
Bring enough to feed your family, plus a little more. That way, if you don't like what others have brought, you still have food to eat, and there will still be plenty for all. Example: If you eat enough for 4 people, then the "old bag" needs to bring enough food for 5 (you and her) plus some extra for others. Simple enough. Negative example? A lady brings a small vegetable dish, while towing a 300 lb husband and 2 teenage boys behind her!
Wish we were gonna be there : - (

[amirie]

Alf. I just bought my turkey meatballs and honey garlic sauce today. So don't be giving anyone else my idea!! LOL. I have a small crockpot in the trailer and when I know I have services, it does get used.
Also, bringing a real good cake for Friday night...need an excuse to make it!!!
C U all real soon.... One more work shift for me(once tonight ends)

[reace]

I have to agree with Hokie,

The rule of thumb for any pot luck that I have attended is to bring enough for your family and a few other people. Following this rule we will have more than enough food for everyone attending. Please DO NOT think you have to provide enough food for everyone (Approx 60 people) that is asking way to much. Select dishes that are easy to prepare or can be made ahead of time. Such as Salads, finger foods, meat & cheese platters, fruit, buns, vegetables, stews etc.

BUT.... If we get nothing but Green Jello Salad....Glenn you will be in my bad boy books!

Some dishes that I know are coming are;

Friday's Schmooze
BYOS (Bring your own snacks) :

Saturday's Dinner
Beans & Rice dish
Green Salad x2
Turkey Meatballs
Chili

Desert
Rum Cake

Sunday's Breakfast
Box of Sausages
Homemade biscotti
Pancakes by Dirk
Croissants


If everyone would like to email me I will keep updating my list as we get closer. Or you can simply post on here.

Tammy

[reace]

Friday's Schmooze
BYOS (Bring your own snacks)

Saturday's Dinner
Beans & Rice dish
Green Salad x2
Broccoli Salad
Turkey Meatballs
Beef &/ Vegetarian Chili
Pulled Pork Sliders w/meat, buns, sauce
Cold Ham & Potato Salad
Turkey

Desert
Rum Cake

Sunday's Breakfast
Box of Sausages
Homemade biscotti
Pancakes by Dirk
Croissants
Fruit Platter

[escape artist]

Hi: All...YIKES!!! Who's bringing the EXERCISE EQUIP. Sure wish we could have joined your "Culinary Escape". Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Jim Bennett]

Maybe next year, Alf?