I need a theme for a potluck we're having at work?!
I need a theme for a potluck we're having at work?
Answers:
We did one at work with the theme of "Comfort Food." It went over well and got a good variety of dishes. One of the gents who doesn't cook much brought nice heavy paper plates and plastic utensils, because he said any food is more comfortable when there's no dishes to do afterwards!
Depending on how the weather is I would do something for spring or like a summer theme. Like for instance a luau or a beach party. I think it would be fun to have bright colors and calm music at a potluck!
an around the world theme would be cool, because people from other countries could bring dishes from their culture.
picnic or cultural dishes...
hawaiin?? beachy?? spring?? comfort food??
The name of the dish must have a place in the title. Your theme could be travel. For example: Swedish Meatballs, Spanish Rice, Italian Sausage, Greek Salad, etc.
Or, you could do a theme like "Fiesta". Someone bring: Salsa, beans, rice, tortillas, guacamole, etc.
You didn't say when you were having the potluck, but most likely its not going to have an Easter theme! Perhaps a "Spring Fling" then? The nice thing about spring is that the foods are lighter, you can pull out the grill, and you don't necessarily have to use the oven! Here are some thoughts for a menu:
1. Salad Festival:
Spinach with bacon, mandarin oranges, feta cheese, and
candied walnuts with French Dressing.
Pasta Salad with rotelle pasta, sundried tomatoes, sliced
olives, green onions, feta cheese, red bell pepper, chunks
of dried salami, and Italian dressing.
Chinese Chicken Salad: ramen noodles, green cabbage,
green onion, chicken breasts, toasted sesame seeds, and
a vinagrette with sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, sugar.
2. Meat as the "real deal":
Chicken tenders, marinated in Italian dressing overnight,
grilled and served with a peanut dipping sauce.
Pork tenderloin, grilled and served with a dijon mustard
sauce
Beef chateaubriand or london broil, rubbed with fresh
ground pepper, kosher salt, minced garlic, and oregano/
basil; grilled and sliced thin served with a creamy horse-
radish sauce
3. "Tail and Fin":
Large prawns on ice, served with cocktail sauce and
lemon wedges.
Crab salad with baguettes
4. The "Dips have It":
Hot artichoke dip with blue corn tortilla chips
Chili cream cheese dip with tortilla chips
Crab or clam dip with crackers
Salsa and chips
5. The Sweet Things Station:
Brownies
Oatmeal Cookies half dipped in milk and white chocolate
Cupcakes
Anyway, you get the idea. Enjoy!
At my Dad's work, once a month they do different ethnic cuisine options for a potluck. Last month was Italian, and this month is Asian. It usually works out well. . . . Depending where you are, you could of course have a picnic theme. Or what I did for a party once, would be to pick a decade, and use that a guide. Foods that were popular in the 70's for example. It all depends on how elaborate you want people to get.
We had a make a hoagie party, it went over big. works best with about 10 or so people. Everybody signed up for meat or cheese. A couple people bought the bread, another the potato chips, another the soda. and everybody raided their pantry for the condiments and pickles..
We had bolongna, ham, salamii, american cheese, swiss cheese, and whatever else the person wanted to bring.
We also had a true potluck, no theme, no talking amonst, just show up with a traditional potluck dish. We had some strange combinations, but it was so good!
Try a salad luncheon, have someone who is cooking impaired bring crackers or rolls. Our church used to have one as a fundraiser, really good stuff was brought! You could bring something hearty, with meat and cheese, like a taco salad, or something healthy, like strawberry and almond salad with dark greens and strawberry vinegrette. My seven layer salad is always a hit.
Another idea is bring your favorite hor's doevre, or your favorite snack. My group is going to try a desset buffet next time.
A few ideas I didn't see already mentioned:
-Sports
-Movies
-Decade (such as the 50s)