I don’t see a problem if it's got a bit of heat. Maybe a casual mention so anyone who's sensitive avoids it. If it's obnoxiously hot so that only people like me would like it, then I wouldn't.

I'm a hothead, so I don't know what to label it. Yes I will say it's spicy gumbo when asked to label it.

But do you think it's a good idea?

I'm not the only hothead in the world. Does everything really have to be bland? It's hard to say, when you're a hothead. For me, the hotter the better. But I don't do that for every meal. And there are times I do not use spice, when I know people are coming who don't like it.

Maybe I'm actually doing somebody a favor?

I often label things at a potluck, such as "cherry tart pies, be aware my cherry pitter doesn't always get all of the pits" or "vegan" or "pretty hot!"

I think it’s fine but would label it. I’m about as sensitive to heat as it gets, but I know lots of people who would appreciate your gumbo. My DH, son and son-in-law would be first in line.👍🏻

As long as you label it as spicy, I think it’s fine. You could offer some mini tasting spoons along side a separate tasting bowl if you wanted to go to that much trouble. They sell them on Amz. Generally, though, most adults either like spicy food or they don’t and can probably make their decision based on the label.

I think they're actually tasting bowls, so I think I'm good there.

Okay, I think I'm going to take it and risk it. I don't want to be bland 😉

There's plenty without yours, right? 10 other soups. But if you mean actually spicy, rather than strolled by a pepper pot, or a whispering hint of capsicum, make a label that can be in the most visible part of your vessel, that is large and easily read without thinking, that says ”Spicy”. Warn 'em. Some people have terrible reactions to the smallest amount of heat. If you go for it and they are surprised and crying, it's their faults for not believing your sign. Without the sign, you're the bad guy.

I once made myself a custard cup worth of guacamole to go with my lunch. It had some salsa in it, but I wouldn't call it ”hot” in any way. No burning or anything. Just tasty. A relative came in—world traveller, eaten all kinds of weird foods in Asia, in places where ordinary culinary heat would strip shellac, as well in Latin America where the peppers grow. I plastered a polite smile over my ”eat your own lunch” reaction and okayed his joining me. And such schadenfreude as I watched the steam puffing out his ears like in a Looney Tunes. Mind you, I know and like hot, and that definitely was not! Though he'd disagree. 😉

So, warn them, clearly, and share the spicy with those who can take it.

I think this is medium, and it sneaks up on you heat.

But like I said I'm a hot head. I will just say spicy, and they will gather what they can from it. There may be 30 other pots. I assume all the other things will be something less than spicy? Probably.

Soup(er) (Bowl) Sunday is just for fun. That doesn't mean it's not a competition. 😃

Since you’ve said it twice now I’ll say I fond it odd that you seem to equate not-hot with bland. There are countless ingredients and seasonings that pack plenty of flavor without being hot.

But to answer your question, I wouldn’t think twice about taking tje gumbo, as long as it’s got a nice zing without being aggressively hot.

Do you not think spicy will cover it?

I honestly don't think it's "super" spicy.

I also think spicy is a weird word because it doesn’t necessarily mean hot but people use it to mean hot. But yes, I’d say spicy.

I think ”spicy” is fine. If they're unsure, they can put a spoon's worth in a tasting bowl and taste.

LOTS of people do like spicy so take it!

Yes to bringing something spicy, but everyone will be much happier if you have it clearly labeled as being spicy/hot.

food,

You made me think of work. People often tell my officemate "my child is running a temperature". I don't think temperature is the word you want to use there 😃

::giggle:: The problem is ”hot” for food also means temperature, whereas while not all spices are hot-spicy, a lot of Scoville scale wimps also don't like cumin, anise and other non-hot spices, so “spicy” is convenient.

Funny about ”temperature”. ;) I've always heard it used interchangably with ”fever” and never considered it literally. One assumes it's a shortening of ”elevated temperature” or some similar needlessly polysyllabic phrase. As currently used, ”He has a temperature” might refer to 99° F, whereas the same speaker might save ”fever” for over 100°. It's the same process as in French, where the emphatic negative ”not a step” has been shortened to ”step” being a basic negation. Language is weird and wonderful, and infinitely amusing (to me).

I think I'd use the words 'spicy hot' together.

Or maybe just print out something like this?

And look - there are stickers too:

P.S. Forgot to answer the OP question. I agree it's certainly not wrong as long as you give fair warning. Just putting it out with no warning would be wrong, for sure, tho.

I would hug your neck, lol. Finally something worth eating!

I live in Louisiana where gumbo is king. I don't think I've ever had a particularly spicy gumbo. If it's made with andouille, some brands are spicer than others, but generally not too spicy. Hot sauce is often offered wherever gumbo is served, so you have the option of adding it or not.

I would love something spicy at a potluck - most of the offerings at such things are pretty bland for my taste. Our immediate family (me, my husband, our two daughters and their significant others and my nephew) all love spicy food. Not "blow your head off" but some heat.

It does include andouille, and Cajun seasoning. I find it moderately spicy. But others will probably find it spicy hot. I do know that people that don't like spice at all, will not like it. I think I have a grasp of what might be the best label 😃

I like food with a little kick to it but my dear bf is super sensitive to heat and spice, so we’d both appreciate the signage.

We considered making gumbo for SuperBowl Sunday but decided on another direction. We never make gumbo 'spicy' having so many great flavors in the roux, etc. When we do make it for a crowd we offer a chopped hot side of fresh peppers and a variety of bottled hot sauces on the table like NewOrleans offers. (i worked in the french quarter Gumbo Shop for a summer)

It is already made, so go ahead and serve. Sounds like many other choices will be optioned. We would enjoy and probably more than you think....

Actually, sleevendog, there's an entire other container of turkey stew. But I prefer the gumbo, and it's a competition 😉

Speaking as a person who is slowing warming up to spicy hot foods over the last few years. I would appreciate the opportunity to try something labeled spicy, in a smaller size just to see if I liked it. Buffets are so much fun for stuff like this. So I am one of the people in the middle I guess. I would suggest labeling it Spicy - Medium+ for the folks like me who are half chicken to try spicy foods. This way they would know it leans hot rather than mild and they can taste it accordingly.

I’m a wimp when it comes to spicy foods, but I would definitely take it if I were you. There is a fundraiser for out local food pantry each year. A bunch of restaurants in town each donate (20 gallons?) soup. Some of it is quite spicy. But there are plenty of other soups to choose from, so I never saw it as an issue.

The last potluck I went to I took macaroni salad because I needed to make some for my super picky Dad and he avoids anything hot or spicy seasoned. So I set some aside for Dad and took the rest to the potluck. My offering got hardly eaten because there was a big pot of spicy Mediterranean meat and rice with even spicier sauce on the side. I figured some of the food would be spicy because of the crowd and what they might bring, so I thought I would be doing the people a favor who liked bland food. I should have read the room better. It's twice I've brought plain food to this gathering that has not been eaten. Next time I am bringing my grandma's molasses cookies with a whole lot of ginger punch!

I'm not going to hesitate to bring spicy foods to potlucks from now on, although I will label them. Part of it is the crowd though. I usually bring something vegetarian so that I will have an option myself.

Your gumbo sounds like the perfect level of spice for me!

Pot luck! Lars, you’ve had some adventures! Thanks for sharing your interesting life stories.

Yes yes yes! Label it and bring it. I find the foods most likely to be left over at a potluck are the safe one.

I used to make a screamingly hot couscous black bean salad to bring to events. It had a habanero, lime, cilantro and garlic dressing. It started so many interesting conversations. The heat seekers loved it. The careful could avoid it without shame.

How did the gumbo go?

It’s not Feb 11 in this hemisphere yet!

It isnt here either ;-) I didn’t see the date but saw the ”Soup Sunday”, so in my befuddled hospitalised state I thought it was Sunday just past.

Colleen, get better soon!

Thank you 🤗

I was not even close to placing. These people are serious about their soup! Not that mine was bad, but theirs were a million times better. The person collecting soup said she also made a gumbo because she figured nobody else would make one. We just laughed about that.

“These people are serious about their soup!”

I bet you had more fun with it. Sometimes being too serious takes the fun away.

In this case, a good time was had by all!

The lady collecting the soup?, her daughter came in second. That was fun to watch their little competition between each other.

I don't even remember what the flavors of the top three soups were, but they are not commonplace. Something like white chicken lasagna soup. Sure, there were chicken and dumplings, chicken noodle soup, coconut chicken curry soup... But the top three had unusual characteristics and I cannot remember them. It was fun.

https://carlsbadcravings.com/white-chicken-lasagna-soup-recipe/

I’m not a big fan of soup, but that chix lasagna soup sounds good. Thanks for the link.