Plan a safer, better-balanced potluck
Collect dish details, flag allergens, and estimate portions so nobody goes hungry or gets sick. Built for community organizers who want fewer surprises on event day.
Event Setup
Add a Dish
Dish Lineup
| Dish | Brought by | Category | Servings | Allergens | Notes |
|---|
No dishes yet. Add your first dish above to get started.
How to Run a Better Potluck
Most potluck headaches come from three problems: duplicate dishes, unlabeled allergens, and not enough food. This planner tackles all three before the event day.
Start with a headcount
Enter your expected guest count first. The coverage bar on the right tells you how close you are to enough food. A good target is 1.2 servings per person to account for seconds and unexpected guests.
Collect dish details early
Share the planner link with your group or print a sign-up sheet from the table. Ask each person to list their dish, how many servings it covers, and any allergens. The more detail you collect upfront, the fewer surprises on the day.
Watch the allergen map
The allergen summary shows every flagged ingredient across all dishes. Print it and post it near the serving table so guests can check before they eat. If someone has a severe allergy, call the person who cooked that dish and ask about cross-contamination.
Balance your categories
A potluck with five desserts and no main dishes leaves people hungry. The category balance panel shows how many dishes you have in each group. Aim for at least two main dishes and one salad or side for every ten guests.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming servings are standard. A "casserole" might feed 4 or 12. Ask the cook to be specific.
- Forgetting drinks and paper goods. Add these as dishes with a "drink" or "supplies" category so they show up in the plan.
- Not labeling at the event. Print the allergen map and tape it next to the serving area. Bring extra index cards and markers for last-minute labels.
- Ignoring dietary needs beyond allergies. Use the notes field for vegetarian, vegan, halal, or kosher flags so guests can scan quickly.
Scenario: Office lunch for 20
Load the "Office lunch" template to see a sample lineup. It includes a main, two sides, a salad, a dessert, and drinks. Total coverage is around 110 percent, which gives a small buffer. Notice how the allergen map flags wheat and dairy so the organizer can print a warning card.
Scenario: Church gathering for 50
The church template shows a larger spread with multiple mains and desserts. The category balance panel helps you spot that you might need more drinks or a second salad. Adjust the headcount up by 10 percent to account for families who bring extra kids.