Totally agree with KW. I would send out a list if it's not too late. Include paper products and drinks for those who don't cook much. Also have plenty of ice so you can slip a dish of ice under the potato salad and such that contain mayo. Just an extra nice touch for some who dread mayo based products at picnics and BBQs.

We do a LOT of potlucks with our HOA. I usually bring cheesecake. One year it was Key Lime. I made it in a 9x13 sheet cake pan so it would go further. (16 pieces) Lo and behold....people didn't serve themselves a square, like it was cut into...they grabbed a huge serving spoon, from another dish...and filled their plate! 🍭

It's no big deal. There were lemon bars, chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, granola-chocolate chip bars. No need to try to give everyone the same exact meal.

What I have noticed with events such as yours, there is the possibility of multiple coleslaws provided. Or different types slaw. There are some who won't eat the slaw. It takes care of itself. No need to worry about it this one

;)

Relax. Prep and serve the mains you have planned and the rest will fall into place. I don't think I've ever been to a pot luck taking a dish that would serve 5-6. A dozen and more - lots of times :) There is a very good chance no one will go hungry even if the person last in the food line does not get a serving of that special salad or side that everyone else is raving about. They'll ask for the recipe and have it another time 😊 They will still enjoy the party and company.

DH and I are among those who attend pot lucks but only eat when we know who has prepared what. We may not be getting a balanced meal and we don't care. We go to socialize and hopefully be helpful.

With his huge family we've had a lot of family pot lucks which are a different food experience - we've been in every kitchen that has produced food and can be confident how it has been handled. As hostess, couple of things you may not have considered are extra ice..... If the day is warm and we're eating outside, we try to serve salads meant to be kept cold placed onto a larger bowl of ice. Bottled water, soft drinks. And a stack of take out type containers for those leftovers so you are not trying to find refrigerator space when everyone has left. People often aren't interested in taking leftovers from what they've brought themselves, but they'll happily accept a couple of servings of those perfectly seasoned beans or slices of cake.

I would like knowing what each will bring. Like Rob, I agree you don’t want too many multiples.

With 30 people, 10 people for appetizers, 10 for salads, and ten for dessert. Most will certainly bring enough for what an average family would eat, so like you say 5-6 people.

You will have more than enough.

I agree that i would not worry that each individual dish isnt enough to serve everyone. If they dont get cole slaw, they will get potato salad. Ive never been to a potluck where there wasnt more than enough food for everyone.

Thank you all for your responses! I appreciate your thoughts. Remember, though, that it's ~30 people. Meaning that ~15 people will bring something (one couple, one offering). So it won't be 10 apps, 10 salads, 10 desserts. But ... still hoping it'll be ok.

It's always a little stressful planning one of these since it's a "never know what you are gonna get" type situation but they usually go off without a hitch.

When I host I just make sure I have plenty of meats, bread rolls, and drinks. A few bags of chips, as back up for kids, never hurts either.

Have you told them to bring enough to serve X number of people? Some people have to have everything spelled out.

I agree with Ded, I've never been to a potluck where there wasn't enough food. The whole point of a potluck to me is that everyone brings food, and people can have a choice of what to eat. I would be more worried about having too much of one thing, but it all works out in the end.

I have a delicate digestive system, but I've never gotten sick from eating anything at a potluck. (Of course, I wouldn't eat something that looked suspect.) Restaurants? Yes. Store-bought deli foods? Yes, but never from a potluck.

Don't overthink it ... I like to bring calico beans. Some will eat it, others will turn up their nose. Cookies are good too; if leftovers, cookies are not a problem ...

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Pot luck is just that. I don't care for sign up lists or telling people what to bring or what type of food to bring. It is no longer a pot luck, it's an organized meal. Nobody should expect a perfectly balanced meal, just a fun gathering with different foods to try. I used to meet with a group that did a potluck picnic once a month. One time we ended up with a single salad some chips and a whole table of desserts. But it almost always worked out to a pretty balanced table. The avoidance of micromanaging it also allows anyone who might have dietary issues to bring something they can eat without having to discuss it ad nauseum or having to share a reason.

Things will work out just fine, but I do recall the office potluck about 50 years ago that had 5 jello salads. People are much more sophisticated now.

I’m another who wouldn’t worry about there being enough food. In my experience, some people might bring two dishes because they love to share a favorite or new recipe dessert, even though they know their signature salad is what everyone will be looking forward to.

If you can’t shake your worry, grab a couple bags of cole slaw mix and a bottle of dressing to have on hand. And/or some prepped bags of spring greens and tomatoes for a tossed salad. Those would get eaten at my house if they weren’t needed as fill ins.

Agree with all the calming sentiments. I especially agree to tell people to bring what would serve 6 to 8 people. As has been repeated, even if a person takes some of every thing that is offered, they're not taking a full portion. If everyone brings a dish to feed 30 people that will be way too much. I've been to some where it's divided as to who should bring desserts,sides, etc and that works great. I've also been where there was no guidance and it honestly turns out great as well.

Several years ago we had a pot luck and there was a TON of food. I think most people thought they should bring enough whatever to feed the whole crowd. Much better to specify a family portion or 6 to 8.

I'm sure it's going to amazing.

I agree with salonva. I find even for holiday dinners that a dish to serve 6-8 will actually serve 12-16 as there's usually so much food. People will take a spoon of each and by the time they're done, their plate is full. And people also are reluctant to take the last anything so they'll cut their portions accordingly as the dish gets emptier...and no one wants to take the last anything.

If you're really concerned, have lots of chips and dip for people to fill up on...

If you know what's coming, either assign or keep track as people choose, so many salads, deserts etc you will have more food than your guests can eat. It ALWAYS works out. I may not get cole slaw but the taco salad sitting next to it will suffice. Assigning or letting it happen organically will get you the same result. It just always turns out. ALWAYS.

Your dilemma reminds me of our family holiday dinners where every year one family would bring their favorite dish with just enough servings for their family AND they would eat it all. I don't think anyone else present ever had a chance to taste the dish.

I agree with everyone else that there's usually food left over after a potluck. Plus, unless you are serving people in need, the participants can always get something else to eat after the party if they are still hungry.

Have you seen how some people live? Pot luck may offer more that just a variety of salads.

I got really sick on New Years day from a pot luck on the eve before. Sure that someone brought the left overs that sat out at the holidays. I was so sick!! That was the last time, ever............I take no chances anymore.

Sure that there will be enough if everyone contributes.