Great minds think alike—until everyone brings the same dish.
Plenty of food, but no plates, napkins, or serving spoons.
Guests with allergies or preferences can’t find something to eat.
Unclear assignments and no day-of plan lead to stress.
Forgot the coolers and ice—again.
No one knows who’s handling trash or leftovers.
This potluck planning checklist organizes dishes, supplies, dietary needs, and day-of setup into one shareable plan.
From mains to condiments, nothing gets overlooked.
Assign anchors like mains and supplies; guests claim the rest.
Note allergies and preferences so everyone is included.
Labels, serving order, and cleanup tasks planned ahead.
Clear assignments for balanced variety.
Supplies, condiments, and utensils accounted for.
Coolers and ice on the list—no more lukewarm sodas.
Trash, leftovers, and dish return handled.
This potluck checklist assigns dishes, tracks supplies, and captures dietary needs so your event runs smoothly.
Potluck planning checklist FAQ covering duplicates, assignments, dietary restrictions, and sharing.
Potluck Planning Checklist # Event Info Host Name*| Date*| Location*| Guest Count| Dietary Notes| Lasagna - Serving Spoon BBQ Chicken - Napkins Veggie Chili (vegan) - Serving Spoon - Bowls - Cheese Potato Salad - Serving Spoon Caesar Salad - Salad Serving Utensils Cornbread - Serving utensil Drinks - Soda, cans (assorted) - Water - Ice Condiments - Ketchup - Mustard - Relish - Hot Sauce - Mayo Supplies - Plates - Cups - Napkins - Cutlery - Serving Spoons & Tongs Deserts & Sides - Brownies - Fruit Salad - Chips Coolers & Ice - Cooler #1 + Ice - Cooler #2 + Ice Labels & Markers - Dish Labels + Sharpies Set Up - Set up serving tables and label dishes. - Stage drinks in coolers; restock ice hourly. - Create allergy-friendly zone (clearly labeled). - Start dropping off food @T11 Group photo - Thanks - Speech @T12:30 [Host] Cleanup - Trash Bags - Leftover Containers - Dish Return Plan @T13:30