Potluck, Why Not?

Picture was taken from mitsloansos.mit.edu.

Potluck is a gathering of people where each people brings food to be shared with others. Potluck is a method that is usually used by a community, especially religious community when having an event. In potluck, every members will contribute a dish of food prepared by each community members.

The history of potluck appears in 16th century. The word of 'potluck' was introduced by Thomas Nashe that meant a food provided by unexpected or uninvited guest. In the 19th century or early 20th century, the sense of commnunal meal where guests bring their own food appeared in Western North America..
 

To the Irish (Poland people), a potluck was a meal with no particular menu. Everyone just brought some food to be shared with others. The term came from a time when groups of Irish women would gather together and cook dinner. They only had one pot so they cooked the meal together with whatever ingredients they had that day.

Nowadays. potluck has been a habit to simplify the meal planning. It is also used to give the comunity members an opportunity to contribute something to the community. It also strength the relationsip among the community members. 

In Indonesia, some commnunities who will held a gathering with their member use this method, especially in some religious community. Potluck is a good way to reduce the cost that should be spent by the host. It also entertains the members. Let say that there are thirty members of a community and everyone brings the different food so there are thirty different food they have to be eaten. It is so nice to the comunity member to taste different food.

Few weeks ago, in Ramadhan month, I also had an expirience about potluck. A private elementary school where I teach held an event related with fasting month. We had a dinner at school and everyone brought some traditional cakes.i could taste some food brought by my friends. I was so happy and my tummy too.

Alfanita Zuraida