Dinner parties with friends are a great way to relax and catch up, but it can sometimes be tricky to find a host willing to prepare a meal for a large crowd (not to mention prepping their home for guests!). Potluck parties are a perfect way to take some of the pressure off the host, no one has to spend the entire day working in the kitchen, and it’s a great opportunity to try a variety of foods. We spoke with a couple of entertaining experts for tips on hosting a cohesive and memorable potluck party.

1. Set a Theme

You could lean into the surprise factor and let everyone bring their favorite dish, but if you’re hoping for the dishes at your dinner party to complement each other, choosing a theme can help keep everyone on the same page.

“My favorite is an ‘Around the World’ theme where each course or dish can be from a different country,” says Chris Nease, home entertaining expert and founder of the blog Celebrations at Home.  “Another theme is to choose a specific ingredient and have guests bring a dish that uses it. The ingredient can be an herb such as basil, a condiment such as barbecue sauce, or a food like lemons. It’s fun to see how their creativity shines using the chosen ingredient.”

Social media also has no shortage of trending potluck themes—with a quick scroll, you can find dinner parties where everyone brings a dish starting with the same letter as their first name and nights based on favorite movies. You could also choose a seasonal theme featuring farmer’s market ingredients or seasonal produce. But whatever theme you choose, it doesn’t have to mean a lot of work.

“Keep it effortlessly chic with a ‘lazy-fancy’ theme—think burger night with a mix of elevated toppings and multiple protein options, from classic beef to grilled salmon or even a surprise like lamb,” says Olivia Muniak, event designer and chef.

2. The Host Should Take the Lead on Organization

A danger of hosting a potluck is the risk of multiple people bringing the same dish. This is a prime reason for setting a theme, or even delegating tasks instead of dishes to limit the amount of food brought.

“Without a little guidance, you can end up with an imbalanced spread—three pasta salads, a sad grocery-store dip, and no main course in sight,” says Muniak. “The key? Lean into a theme and get everyone involved in a way that plays to their strengths. Not everyone is a natural in the kitchen, so consider assigning non-culinary tasks to those friends—setting the table, playlist curation, or drinks duty can be just as essential to a great evening.”

If you’re the one hosting, feel free to assign out tasks to everyone else. And if you’re a guest, be sure to stick to what you agreed to bring, and don’t surprise everyone by going rogue at the last minute. Pre-planning the menu a few days or a week in advance can help guarantee a satisfying spread with a variety of dishes.

“The best thing to do is to have a signup sheet where everyone can see what each other is bringing,” Nease recommends. “Create the list with categories such as snacks and appetizers, side dishes, entree, and dessert. That way they know what to expect, and they can choose the category that best aligns with their skill level.”

If you’re not sure where to start, think about a few categories of dishes, and build from there.

“To create a balanced menu, I always start with a foundation of proteins and vegetables,” says Muniak. “Once that’s set, guests can layer in more indulgent options, making sure there’s something for everyone.”

3. Consider Different Dietary Needs

A diverse group of friends will most likely also have a variety of dietary needs. Some guests might be gluten-free, while others might have nut or shellfish allergies. When you’re planning the menu, it’s important to consider foods that everyone can eat, but also keep in mind that some people with severe allergies might not be comfortable eating dishes they haven’t prepared themselves.

“A potluck is actually one of the best ways to host a party because the person with the restriction can bring a dish they know they can eat,” Nease says. “When setting up the invitations or sign-up sheet, ask guests to disclose any dietary concerns.”

You can also ask everyone to bring a copy of the recipe they used and provide cards and markers to label each dish to help accommodate allergies and food intolerances. 

4. Stay Flexible and Have Fun

Even with pre-planning, your dinner party might still end up with two Caesar salads or an extra dessert. If that happens, just embrace it!

“Above all, the best hosts stay gracious and flexible,” says Muniak. “If a guest veers off plan, smile, say thank you, and find a place for their dish within the meal.”

Part of the fun of a potluck is getting to try a variety of foods, and even if two guests bring a similar dish, chances are they’ll each put their spin on it. That doesn’t mean you must call attention to the similarities or let anyone know that an extra appetizer wasn’t part of the plan. Instead, enjoy the good food and company.

“The key to being a good host is making your guests feel welcome and comfortable,” says Nease. “Sometimes life happens and someone veers from the plan, but it’s best to go with the flow. After all, it’s about having fun together rather than being perfect!”