How to Throw a Successful and Unique Office Potluck

For anyone who has been tasked with having to organize a company potluck, you know that good participation is key. The more organization and planning you do upfront, the better turnout you'll have. In my company, we have found throughout the years that we have potluck participants from four categories:

"The chef" This popular participant is the one who signs up the second the signup list is up, plans to bring something elaborate and interesting, usually with the word "famous" in the name. Examples include "Famous Oriental Chicken Salad," "Famous Swedish Meatballs", "Famous Better than Sex Chocolate Cake," "Famous Sloppy Joes" and so on. You need at least a few of these participants to keep the potluck a true potluck and not just a picnic.

"Sure, I'll sign up!" This is the person who signs up ahead of time but chooses to bring in soda, chips, cheese and sausage plate, vegetable platters, etc. They can be counted on to bring the items a porluck needs and the people like, but they often opt for the easy and quick items. Like "the chefs", you need this person.

"Potluck?! Today!?!" These are the people who forget to sign up and forget to bring anything. They will ask the organizer what is still needed and they will make a last minute trip to the grocery store up the street. You can count on them to supplement the buns, deli salads, extra chips, bakery cookies and cakes and any items you feel are needed to make the potluck a success.

"Potluck? Where?" These are the stragglers who show up to enjoy the fruits of everyone else's labor. We've all seen them. They exist everywhere.

So what can you do to maximize participation and motivate people to get involved? Add a few twists on the typical potluck, throw in some cooking contests and watch the tables fill with food.

We host an annual Chili Contest Potluck at my company. We have three categories: "Mild/Medium", "Spicy" and "Other" (chicken chili, vegetarian, meat other than beef, etc). Employees are encouraged to bring in their very best chili recipes and compete for gift cards. The first year, the organizers brought in crockpots full of their own chili to ensure there would be enough. They extras weren't needed. Nearly everyone has a favorite chili recipe and most are more than happy to put it to the competitive test. The best part? Employees can enjoy the chili as their main potluck item once the contest has ended.

A chili contest will increase the number of "chefs" you have in each potluck. You'll still get lots of "famous" recipes, but now you can add pots full of chili as well. The "Sure, I'll Sign Up!" people can bring items related to chili: shredded cheese, sour cream, crackers, chips, diced onions, corn bread and more. They will still bring the chips, veggie platters and cheese and sausage trays, so you're covered there.

Your "Potluck?! Today!?!" people can be counted on to fill in the gaps for all the necessary chili side items as well as supplementing with deli salads and baked treats. And as for the "Potluck? Where?" employees...well, there will be plenty to go around.

We also like to throw in a dessert contest for good measure. Have people bring in their favorite desserts and treats and you'll find you have a table full of sweets that could rival a bake sale. Round out the potluck with hotdogs and chips to make chili dogs and nachos and you'll find that even if the first potluck is a little slower, each year will get bigger and bigger!

Chili and desserts can be only the beginning. If the idea takes off, try some seasonal contests. Soup and chowder for a cold fall or winter potluck. Salads and breads for spring or summer. Ethnic dishes can also add a lot of fun and interest. Take the basic office potluck and create some excitement and interest and watch the success grow!