Potluck ideas for a crowd: what to assign and what to order
Fill the gaps in a potluck with one hot main and a dessert tray. Pulled pork, buns and cookies together are $152 and cover the table for about 20.
By the Upper Crust Catering kitchen
For a potluck for a crowd, assign categories instead of letting everyone pick, and order one hot main and a dessert tray yourself so nothing is missing. BBQ Pulled Pork, $95 a tray, with Slider Sandwich Buns, $12, and Assorted Home Baked Cookies, $45, is $152 and anchors a table for about 20.
Why potlucks need an anchor
A potluck without a plan ends up with eight pasta salads and no main. The fix is a sign-up sheet by category and one thing you control. That can be the hot main, because it is the dish people worry about most, or the desserts.
Assign categories, not dishes
A sheet with these headings works for 20 or 100 people:
- Hot sides: potatoes, beans, mac and cheese
- Cold sides: salads, slaw, fruit
- Vegetables and something fresh
- Bread and rolls
- Drinks and ice
- Serving gear: spoons, tongs, trays
Put a number next to each. As a planning guide, for 40 guests ask for four hot sides, four cold sides and two vegetable dishes. People then pick from the list, and you can see what is missing.
What to order from us
Pick the part that is hardest to bring or to cook for a crowd:
- Hot main. BBQ Pulled Pork, $95, serves 20. Herb Roasted Chicken is $80 for 20 pieces. Baked Mostaccioli starts at $45.
- Vegetarian mai Meatless Mostaccio starts at $39 and Eggplant Parmesan is $95.
- Dessert. Cookies are $45 for 40. Brownies are $59 for 35. Chocolate Drizzled Mini Cream Puffs are $45 for 50.
- Drinks. Iced Tea, Punch or Lemonade is $89 for 50 servings, cups included.
- Serving gea Serving Tongs & Spoo are $1 each.
A potluck for 40
You cover the main, buns and desserts, and guests bring the sides:
- 2 trays BBQ Pulled Pork: $190
- 2 trays Slider Sandwich Buns: $24
- 1 tray Cookies and 1 tray Brownies: $45 + $59 = $104
- 1 Iced Tea, Punch or Lemonade: $89
Total $407, or about $10.18 a person, before 9.25% sales tax. Without the drinks it is $318. If you want to cover a side as well, Baked Macaroni & Cheese is $59 and BBQ Baked Beans is $49.
Tips for the table
- Label each dish. Ask each cook to bring a card with the name and whether it has nuts, dairy or meat.
- Ask people to bring a serving spoon. Add a few extra from the list above.
- Tell guests who want to bring a hot dish that you will need outlets, or ask them to bring it in a slow cooker.
- Put desserts on a separate table so the main line is shorter.
- Our kitchen handles wheat, dairy, eggs, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish and sesame. For food from home, we cannot speak for what is in it.
Planning more
For how much food to plan, see how much food for 50 people and side dishes for a crowd. To price a potluck anchor, ask for a quote, or call (630) 553-9533. Pick up at the kitchen in Yorkville, or delivery is quoted when you order. Trays have no minimum and we ask for about three days' notice.
Questions
What should I order for a work potluck?
One hot main and a dessert tray. Coworkers can bring the sides.
How many dishes should the group bring?
As a planning guide, about one dish for every 4 or 5 guests, plus the tray you order for the main.
Can I order only a main?
Yes. Trays have no minimum.
Drop-off catering and party trays, priced per tray
